The Michaud Family: A Chance for Hope
Megan and Alain Michaud say Rundle changed everything for their family; not just because they have a son at the Academy and one at the College — Rundle allowed Alain, too, to learn that school could feel like home.
“Seeing your kids thriving is the biggest relief. I didn’t know education could be like this,” says Alain. “I grew up with 40-student classes, where you could walk out without a teacher even noticing. This experience has been eye-opening. Rundle’s teachers care so much. They meet the kids exactly where they’re at.”
The Michauds’ journey into Rundle wasn’t easy. Damon, their youngest, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at age four, throwing the family into crisis in 2018 while they navigated operations and assessments until Damon received his tumour-free status. Then it was Dominic, two years older, who was struggling.
“You go through these experiences and realize what’s important,” says Megan. “Because people made donations, we had the support we needed in a very tough time. But, when things happen with any of your kids, you’re in survival mode again.”
Dominic was talented, made friends easily and impressed teachers by following the rules. Still, there were flags that seemed easy to brush off — until the pandemic.
“We could tell his anxiety was growing every day, and he would write things backwards,” says Megan. “When you become your kid’s teacher, you see pretty quickly what’s going on.”
Dominic was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder but, in 2021, the Michauds discovered he was also experiencing dyslexia. He was 10 at the time.
“To watch your child struggle is soul crushing,” says Megan. “Once we had the diagnosis, there was a light.”
Changing schools would be tough. When Megan discovered Rundle Academy, they were late applying, but she poured everything she had into Dominic’s 2022 Grade 5 application.
“All I could think was, what does his future look like if we don’t give him enough support now?” she says. “We were so nervous. Somehow, we got in and I cried so much.”
In a small classroom with kids who understood themselves and highly skilled teachers, Dominic’s confidence grew weekly. He had a writing coach, and his social skills fit the community.
“Dominic was figuring out he’s a smart kid. He actually has that joy of learning we all strive for,” says Megan.
Today, at 14, Dominic is shining at the Academy.
“He’s in junior high and he loves school,” says Alain. “The kid that used to cry about having to do homework is studying and excelling — he’s waiting at the door in the mornings with his bag ready.”
To bring Damon the same opportunities, the Michauds enrolled him in Rundle College where he, now 12, excels in athletics — even after doctors worried surgery would impact his coordination.
“After experiencing what school could look like for Dominic, we wanted that for Damon, too,” says Megan. “Damon was top of his class, but he was bored. He transitioned into the College last year and started making friends and liking school again. He wasn’t the smartest kid anymore — he was being challenged.”
The College, Megan says, is just as warm as the Academy. Rundle’s impact has meant so much to the Michauds, the family pledged $25,000 to the Building Futures campaign. Megan believes the expansion is crucial for Rundle, as every gift means more families find hope.
“I can’t imagine our lives today if we’d been turned away back in 2022,” says Megan. “We know the school has to turn down so many applications. These are moms, just like me, asking for a chance for their kid. If there’s an opportunity for Rundle to help more families, why wouldn’t we all get behind that? This school saved our son — just in a different way.”
