You’ve made the decision to enroll your child in a private school.Now comes the hard part – vetting your options.There are hundreds of private school options in and around the Toronto metropolitan area, each with its own benefits to offer you and your child.Following are some critical questions you should raise in evaluating all of your choices:
1) What is the Mission Statement, philosophy or theology of the school?Every private school caters to different needs, and you can tell a lot about a school’s priorities, principles, environment and fit based on how they frame their mission.Some schools prioritize participatory and communal hands-on learning, while others privilege standardized testing and academic excellence.
Further, many private schools are founded on faith-based principles and incorporate these principles into their curriculum.You want to be sure the philosophy of the school correlates with your own philosophy at home so as to maintain consistency for your child.
2) What is the ratio of teachers and staff to children?When considering a private elementary school, you want to pay special attention to the school’s personnel resources.
Large staff-to-child ratios mean that your child will receive less individualized attention, which may be detrimental to their intellectual and social development.You also want to inquire about the credentials required to teach at the school.Some private schools are able to skirt statutory guidelines regarding accreditation for teachers, which may translate to lower teaching quality.
3) What would a typical day be like for a student? A brief description of typical daily activities will give you a great understanding of how your child’s education and experiences will be structured.
Take note of how much time is spent in class versus recreation, and evaluate how your child will acclimate to such a climate.
You may also want to ask about opportunities for after school enrichment and activities.
4) What is the history and longevity of the school?Although private elementary schools abound in Toronto, not many are successful enough to keep their doors open for an extended period of time.Unlike public schools, whose life cycles progress based on external factors, the success and longevity of private schools are based solely on the performance of their programs.
This doesn’t mean you should immediately disqualify a nascent program, as they may also exhibit superior quality and curriculum.Just give them a little extra scrutiny.
5) Are there opportunities for parental collaboration and involvement?Many parents want to be actively engaged in their children’s education.
A great private elementary school should provide ample opportunities for parents to volunteer, proactively collaborate or communicate with teachers or otherwise encourage direct parental involvement.
A great school will regularly update parents about the progress of their children, and teachers will work directly with parents to craft a plan that will ensure the success of the child in the long run.
1) What is the Mission Statement, philosophy or theology of the school?Every private school caters to different needs, and you can tell a lot about a school’s priorities, principles, environment and fit based on how they frame their mission.Some schools prioritize participatory and communal hands-on learning, while others privilege standardized testing and academic excellence.
Further, many private schools are founded on faith-based principles and incorporate these principles into their curriculum.You want to be sure the philosophy of the school correlates with your own philosophy at home so as to maintain consistency for your child.
2) What is the ratio of teachers and staff to children?When considering a private elementary school, you want to pay special attention to the school’s personnel resources.
Large staff-to-child ratios mean that your child will receive less individualized attention, which may be detrimental to their intellectual and social development.You also want to inquire about the credentials required to teach at the school.Some private schools are able to skirt statutory guidelines regarding accreditation for teachers, which may translate to lower teaching quality.
3) What would a typical day be like for a student? A brief description of typical daily activities will give you a great understanding of how your child’s education and experiences will be structured.
Take note of how much time is spent in class versus recreation, and evaluate how your child will acclimate to such a climate.
You may also want to ask about opportunities for after school enrichment and activities.
4) What is the history and longevity of the school?Although private elementary schools abound in Toronto, not many are successful enough to keep their doors open for an extended period of time.Unlike public schools, whose life cycles progress based on external factors, the success and longevity of private schools are based solely on the performance of their programs.
This doesn’t mean you should immediately disqualify a nascent program, as they may also exhibit superior quality and curriculum.Just give them a little extra scrutiny.
5) Are there opportunities for parental collaboration and involvement?Many parents want to be actively engaged in their children’s education.
A great private elementary school should provide ample opportunities for parents to volunteer, proactively collaborate or communicate with teachers or otherwise encourage direct parental involvement.
A great school will regularly update parents about the progress of their children, and teachers will work directly with parents to craft a plan that will ensure the success of the child in the long run.
