Parentscanada Guide to Private School - 2017 by ParentsCanada

ParentsCanada

School Guide to

2017

THE BIG MOVE

switching from public school

STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS CO-CURRICULARS FIND YOUR PASSION DAY OR BOARDING? Both have benefits

DISPLAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSN 78624-28928

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QUESTIONS TO ASK AT THE OPEN HOUSE

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A boy who is nurtured is a man who is compassionate. Crescent School truly understands what makes boys tick. Our teachers and coaches unlock the door to learning by forging powerful, authentic connections with our boys, making certain that every one of them feels known and cared for. Core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and compassion are woven into all we do from Grades 3-12, including our “character-in-action” programs and mentor groups that help our boys develop into resilient young men who care about others.

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WHAT’S inside 2017

School listings

Stanstead College

FIRST THINGS FIRST Education buzzwords you should know.

IT’S YOUR CHOICE Ten kinds of private schools you’ll find in Canada.

DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT A SELECTION OF CANADIAN PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Shawnigan Lake School

THE BIG MOVE Headmasters talk about students who make the switch from public schools.

DOLLARS AND CENTS What’s included in tuition fees, anyway?

GIVE IT A TRY How co-curricular activities help private school students stretch their horizons.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED What to ask at a school’s open house event.

PARENT TO PARENT What to ask parents whose children already attend a private school.

YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND How peer support holds the school community together.

BOARDING OR DAY SCHOOL? The benefits of both, as well as dual program schools.

AHEAD BY A CENTURY The remarkable woman behind Montessori education.

SCHOOL SELECTION It’s a world of choice; how to determine the school that best suits your child.

SCHOOL AFFILIATIONS Organizations schools affiliate with to ensure accountability and quality.

GREAT CANADIANS Private school alumni from the worlds of sports, politics, the arts and more.

COVER PHOTO: Shawnigan Lake School

ParentsCanada

$4.95

School Guide to

2017

ADMIT ONE A school official explains the admissions process, step-by-step.

THE BIG MOVE

switching from public school

STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS

CO-CURRICULARS FIND YOUR PASSION

Bayview Glen Independent School

DAY OR BOARDING? Both have benefits

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT THE OPEN HOUSE

PrivateSchoolGuide.ca

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 3

ParentsCanada

School Guide to

BIG PASSION Private schools stretch horizons

I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING. YOU CAN’T AFFORD PRIVATE school. Don’t be so sure. Hear us out in ‘Dollars and Cents’ (page 12), where we talk about the many ways average families manage, including financial aid from schools. As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday this year, Canadians view diversity as our strength. Today’s private schools have embraced all kinds of diversity, too – including socioeconomic. Speaking of diversity, independent schools are a world of choice. The school that’s ideal for one student isn’t best for another. Read in these pages about the types of schools – and get advice from a Head of School about choosing the right place for your child. Virtually all private schools take in new pupils each year who previously attended public schools. We talked to several school leaders to find out the most common reasons why some children make the decision to switch. And did you know that when they attend private schools, kids’ participation in a certain number of different types of activities is mandatory. This is a massive bonus for a shy kid, for a child who thinks they hate sports, or one who wouldn’t be inclined to try out a fine art or club. There’s lots of choice because co-curriculars are also mandatory for teachers. No one misses out on what’s learned being part of a sports team – or on finding a passion in a pursuit they never would have tried. I haven’t even touched on superior academic support or the benefits of boarding and day programs. All these topics and more are covered in this issue. And don’t miss our piece on great Canadians in various fields who – you guessed it – attended private schools. Take a look! — Tracy Cooper

Editor Tracy Cooper Art Director S. Dale Vokey Contributing designer Susan Jackson Contributors Lydia J. Hawkins Dr. Glenn Zederayko Vice President, Production Patrick McCormick

Publisher Don Swinburne Vice President, Publisher, ParentsCanada Jane Bradley National and Toronto Account Manager Lori Dickson Account Manager Kim Magill Sales Co-ordinator Starlene Courts-Hedd Vice President, Marketing David Baker Operations Manager Trevor Baker Controller Carol Fagan

Vice President, Digital David Baker Senior Web Strategist Matt Doris Online Content Producer Angela Rotundo Social Media Manager Amy Bielby

President, Family Communications Don Swinburne Senior Vice President, Group Editor Bettie Bradley Vice President/Director, Corporate Development Brian Baker

North StarMontessori Montessori North Star 4 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

joy. Our Early Education students find joy in collaborative and experiential learning at HSC. To learn more, visit www.hsc.on.ca.

Students from 18-months to Grade 12 find joy and explore potential at Hillfield Strathallan College. Call 905-389-1367, or visit hsc.on.ca, to learn more.

FIRST THINGS first GET STARTED WITH SOME EDUCATION BUZZWORDS

ACIS – American Council for International Studies An organization that provides educational travel experiences for students in cooperation with its member schools. accreditation Official approval from an organization that assesses schools to ensure that they meet specific standards of accountability, education quality, and transferability of courses. admission test An entrance examination most private/independent schools give to potential students as part of the admissions process. It helps assess a student’s skills in reading, writing and mathematics. advisor A teacher assigned to a high school student as an adult mentor outside the classroom. Advisors meet regularly with and monitor students to ensure school life is going well. Teacher advisor programs are typically offered at university preparatory day and boarding schools. AP (Advanced Placement) A program developed by the College Board organization in the United States. AP courses are university-level courses offered in participating high schools.

Private & Independent Schools: is there a difference? Technically, there’s a difference between independent and private schools. Independent schools are not-for-profit, run by an independent body such as a board of governors, and typically have charitable status. A private school is for profit, and its method of oversight can vary. Yet a private school can be accredited as independent if it meets certain criteria; indeed, some schools call themselves ‘private independent’. Many Canadians say ‘private school’ when referring to any school outside the public systems. That’s what we’ve done in this magazine.

boarding school A school at which students study and live during the week or for the term.

cooperative learning Learning through group work/ the teaching and practising of collaborative learning skills.

bursary Funds provided to qualified students who need help to pay for school costs.

coeducational (co-ed) A school with male and female students, not boys or girls only.

CAIS – Canadian Accredited Independent Schools An accrediting body for and network of independent schools across the country. Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) A U.K.-based organization that provides international curricula and qualifications for students and professional development for teachers. Schools must apply in order to offer the program.

Arrowsmith An educational program for children with specific learning disabilities.

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day school A school students attend for set hours during the day. differentiated instruction An instructional approach in which teachers convey curricula using a variety of methods to accommodate students’ different learning styles. discovery learning A learning approach in which activities allow students to gain knowledge on their own by performing experiments, for example, or by exploring their environments.

direct instruction A traditional method of teaching, in which teachers instruct children using specific lesson plans and lectures. experiential learning Learning through experience – or learning by doing. form teacher The home room teacher. head of college/head of school/headmaster The person in charge of the school. He or she is responsible for hiring and supervising staff, overseeing school programs, advocating for the school, representing the school’s governing body and representing the school to outside organizations, etc. This position is similar to a public school principal. IB (International Baccalaureate) An educational foundation that offers four international curricula, including the Diploma Program – available since 1968. Schools must be authorized by the IB organization in order to offer the programs. International Boys’ Schools Coalition An organization that advocates the education of boys in a single gender environment as beneficial to boys’ academic, emotional and moral development.

TMS School

Montessori A student-centred, individualized approach to education developed by Italian doctor Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. National Coalition of Girls’ Schools An organization that advocates for girls’ schools and researches and promotes the benefits of educating girls in a single gender environment. open-ended instruction An instructional approach which features lessons that have complex or multiple potential answers. pedagogy The method and practice of teaching. prefect A student who serves as a role model, liaises between teachers students, promotes school spirit, plans events and gives tours. Prefect leaders are called Head Boy and Head Girl. preparatory school (also referred to as ‘prep’ school) A school that focusses on preparing students for university. public school A school that is funded through tax dollars by a province or territory and is run by a public school board. Reggio Emilia Founded by an Italian teacher in Emilia Romagna after World

War II, this complex approach emphasizes independent thinking, cooperation, and the documentation of children’s daily experiences. School layouts encourage learning and discovery. Round Square A global network of schools following philosopher Kurt Hahn’s educational emphases on cultural, academic and spiritual experiences. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) A widely-used, standardized assessment test for reading, math and writing that American universities use to determine whether a student is likely to succeed in their programs. scholarship Funding for study granted to students with high achievement. SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) A widely-used admission test used by private and independent schools to determine whether to accept a student’s application. TABS – The Association of Boarding Schools An organization that promotes awareness of and educates about boarding schools. Waldorf Founded by Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century, Waldorf schools offer an experiential, academically rigorous approach to education, integrating the arts in all academic disciplines.

We forge profound relationships, one by one.

human : kind In every endeavour, we commit to engaging every person’s full humanity. Preschool–Grade 12 in Toronto

bayviewglen.ca FALL 2016 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 15

IT’S YOUR choice

PRIVATE SCHOOLS PROVIDE MANY OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS

There is no such thing as a homogenous ‘private school system’; the private/independent school world is defined by choice. There are many types of schools in many configurations. Some schools offer kindergarten through grade 12. Some are preschool or elementary only, or start at middle school grades. Still other schools are high school only.

Pickering College day schools This is the traditional model of schooling: students attend from morning until mid-afternoon, returning home at the end of each day and staying home on the weekends. Parents take a larger role in helping kids develop good school habits, such as studying for upcoming tests and completing homework thoroughly – especially with younger students. boarding schools At a boarding school, students live at school during the week within the school year calendar. At some schools – and depending how far away students’ family homes are from school – they may live at school on weekends, too. Students typically go home for breaks, such as the Christmas/ New Year break, the spring break, Thanksgiving, Easter, and summer. Boarding school can start in middle school (grades six through eight) or in upper school (grades nine through 12). Schools are highly structured, with set times for classes, study, co-curricular and free times –as well as curfews. Supervision and support are

provided by staff such as peer counsellors, residential dons and academic staff. Boarding school students are deeply involved in academics and extracurricular activities. This is a highly personal choice for a child and his or her family. Some kids thrive at boarding school, while others are much better suited for day school. co-educational school Often referred to as ‘co-ed’, this is a school in which the student body is made up of boys and girls attending classes together. It mirrors the real world, where boys and girls, men and women interact and work together all the time. Some believe that going to school together helps girls and boys benefit in several ways, such as from the other gender’s learning style and in promoting cooperation. single gender school In single gender schools, the student body is all boys or all girls. Some believe that boys and girls experience less peer pressure, focus better on learning and operate differently in school without the distraction of the opposite sex. Some

8 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

studies point to better grades and a higher rate of admission to four-year university programs. Single gender schools may help break down gender stereotypes – leading to more girls taking maths and sciences, for example. religious schools Schools based on the major world religions can be found in this country, depending on where you live: Bahá’í Faith, Christian (specific denominations or nondenominational), Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh. Faithbased schools offer religious instruction, as well as full academic curricula that meet or exceed required standards mandated by provincial and territorial governments. The faith’s general worldview is reflected in teaching and is part of the life of the school. Parents should learn about a school’s curriculum to ensure that, while it gives students a deeper knowledge of their faith, it also promotes respect for other faiths and worldviews – important for interacting in Canada’s pluralistic, tolerant society.

university preparatory Also known as a ‘prep school’. Prep schools focus on preparing students for university and getting them into the programs they want. Academic studies are intense, but there are also extra help and other supports in place. Some courses offered later in high school are considered university-level, and can be applied as university credits. Some schools offer international curricula, such as IB (International Baccalaureate), AP (Advanced Placement), Cambridge or Round Square. Schools tend to have very high rates of university acceptance. Costs such as tuition are significant, but facilities and resources are usually outstanding, as well as included co-curricular activities. Montessori A student-centred, individualized educational approach. The method is named after Dr. Maria Montessori, who founded it in the early 1900s. Montessori became more popular in North America in the 1960s. It is based on Dr. Montessori’s observations of young children

Academically ambitious, our Kindergarten students apply what they learn in their ravine classroom.

Pickering College around the world. Classes comprise children of different ages. Students learn at their own pace and choose whether to work alone or in groups. Teachers observe children and introduce new lessons as they are ready. Waldorf Waldorf Education was founded by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian scientist and philosopher. It is named after a German factory at which Steiner created a school for the workers’ children in 1919. Steiner insisted on a 12-year school available to all children of both genders, and in which teachers would have great control. Waldorf schools are independently run, but they must be accredited as embodying Waldorf principles and teaching practices. The philosophy emphasizes experiential learning for the whole child (heart, hands and head). Schools provide a calm, home-like setting.

Reggio Emilia An early childhood educational approach founded by Italian teacher Loris Malaguzzi in the city of Emilia Romagna after World War II. It is a complex approach that includes emphasizing independent thinking, cooperation, special layout of schools to encourage learning and discovery, and documenting children’s daily experiences. In this childled system, teachers guide students to develop their ideas and express their learning through a wide range of materials and experiences. specialty programs Some schools specialize in meeting unique needs, including programs for children with special needs and schools for students with remedial or behavioural requirements – such as therapeutic programs or military boarding schools. Some schools may specialize in specific interests, such as schools for arts education or sports development. These schools specialize, but still offer full academic curricula.

World Class. Through our unique blend of the Ontario, French national and IB curricula, TFS – Canada’s International School prepares fully bilingual students for tomorrow. A future with limitless opportunities.

BILINGUAL • IB WORLD SCHOOL • CO-ED • AGE 2 TO GRADE 12

tfs.ca

THE BIG move SWITCHING FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PRIVATE

Virtually every private school in the country takes in new students every year who are moving there from public schools. We asked six independent school leaders to share common reasons students make the switch, what private schools offer that make it a positive decision, and the challenges they may face. Typical reasons for switching They’re looking for more. More attention, more and better chances for university entrance and scholarship, more challenge, more from themselves and from their friends. A place where teachers pay attention and care. I find we’re getting more students who have been bullied. They want an emotionally safer environment, peers that are accepting. It doesn’t matter whether you are First Nation, German or African Canadian, whether you’re male, female, gay. It starts from the core with school culture. Where the rubber meets the road is in the dorms, the classrooms and the locker rooms, in the hallways, the student lounge. Students have to feel comfortable to be themselves, regardless of their religion, the colour of their skin, whether they’re skinny or overweight. Joseph (Joe) Seagram Head of School King’s-Edgehill School Windsor, NS

King’s-Edgehill School

Progressive Academy In some cases, there’s an unhappiness with a particular situation at the public school. They’ve heard about us from other parents. Sometimes the parent came here, and they want their children to. It’s more a positive reason than negative, more of a pull than a push. They know about the small class sizes, individual attention, focus on academics, the support. Peter Sturrup Headmaster, Pickering College Pickering, ON It’s hard to maintain a sense of community if you have too large a school population. Quite often it comes down to the learning style. We tend to be very experiential in our approach to education. David Eifert Headmaster, Progressive Academy Edmonton

C-ANNE ROBERTSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , PROGRESSIVE ACADEMY 10 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

Nowadays, it’s for the opportunities. Kids are voting with their feet. They can, at the press of a couple of keys, look at photos, watch videos, see the activities that are going on, and get a sense of the atmosphere. There’s always a percentage that need a more formal structure, maybe held more accountable more often. David Robertson Headmaster, Shawnigan Lake School Shawnigan Lake, BC Children are known well by the staff. The onus is on teachers, administration and the whole school culture to make the child happy. Our tagline is that happy children learn best. If you have a happy child who wants to come to school, nothing is going to make a parent happier than that. Tim Peters, Headmaster The Priory School, Montreal

More personalized care. Their child isn’t being challenged or is slipping through the cracks in some way.

Challenges – at first Student achievement increases. It seems paradoxical because expectations are higher, there is a greater workload. ‘Student for a day’ is popular. I ask, ’did anything surprise you?’ Almost always, it’s how focussed the kids are in class. People don’t come to parent-teacher interviews and get surprised. My honour roll is not based on achievement, it is based on effort. I would much rather have someone who’s busting a gut to get 75 on the honour roll than someone who’s cruising and got a 92. Who do I want to hire? Joe Seagram King’s-Edgehill School The expectation and homework. My daughter came through public school. The expectation in subjects was the same. The difference might be that we follow up. If somebody doesn’t get something, we won’t just move on. We review ’til they understand, with things like ‘power hour’ for math. Billy Gilliland Principal, Edison School Okotoks, AB

We require a great deal of independence, so accepting that and being able to manage it. Project-based learning takes a lot of initiative. The teacher cannot always be telling them ‘this is how you’re going to do it, when you’re going to do it’. C-Anne Robertson Progressive Academy Some hit the ground running and never look back. But a fair few have difficulty with the lack of free time, because they’re always expected to be somewhere. But I’ve lost count of how many kids talk about that at the end. ’I’m so glad I just hung in there for that first month’. David Robertson Shawnigan Lake School You might think there might be a challenge socially. But all the schools I know put so much resources into making sure there’s a seamless transition. The first week of class is a trip of some sort; the teachers know who’s new and pair them up with good mentors. They’re putting the parents in touch, so they have playdates right away. Tim Peters, The Priory School

The Priory School

Advice for helping adjust

Come and have a look. You’ll see by the expressions on their faces, the way they interact, that they’re happy and fulfilled. Don’t be deterred by the cost. Independent schools are working hard to make sure we stay accessible. We have students from modest backgrounds. It’s good for all; they learn real friendship has nothing to do with material goods. It’s lovely when you see a kid whose Dad works on the grounds, for example, taking home a kid that you know lives in a mansion. But they’re spending the weekend with their friend, their roommate. David Robertson Shawnigan Lake School

Académie Marie-Claire

Bilingual, enriched primary school (French, English)

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DOLLARS & cents

FINANCING A PRIVATE SCHOOL EDUCATION

Many Canadian parents never look into private/ independent schools because they assume they wouldn’t be able to afford it. But that assumption could mean closing off education options for children that could benefit them immensely.

King’s-Edgehill School

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Private school has changed a lot in recent decades. No longer are even the most expensive, established, prestigious schools satisfied with a student body made up of young people who come from only very wealthy families. Just as our country has, today’s private schools have embraced diversity. Educators, board members, benefactors, parents and students have bought into the belief that diversity, including socio-economic diversity, is good for everyone. That’s why it is common for at least a quarter of pupils at private schools to receive some form of financial aid – and at many schools, it’s more like 40 per cent. There are many options schools offer to help make the financial picture work – and several ways many families have used to be able to send their kids to private school:

How schools help Most private schools build funds to be able to offer financial aid. They do this through donors, alumni contributions and awards,

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and various fundraising initiatives. There might be mention of financial aid on a school’s website, but you should still connect with school administrators directly. They may have options that are not advertised, and they may make different arrangements with families on a case-by-case basis. Do your research and take a good look at a school first; address the financial side once you’ve determined a school is a fit your child. Attend a school’s open house and take part in a private interview with a school official, who will want to get to know your child and family first. Schools want to enrol students who will thrive at their school. If your child receives financial aid, it will likely be revisited every year. Students need to stay in good academic and social standing to continue receiving aid. Scholarships may be offered to kids with outstanding academic achievement or promise . (These are sometimes entrance scholarships.) Bursaries are grants that don’t have to be paid back. A bursary is given at a school’s discretion, based on financial need. Third-party financial assessment services are often used by schools to work with families, to detail financial resources and

determine how much a family can afford to pay. Deferred payment plans are often allowed by schools so that parents can spread out tuition costs. Some schools let you pay monthly; for others, payment periods could be three or four times per year. Family discounts are often given when there are multiple children enrolled. Discounts tend to be deeper for each additional child.

From wonder

What families can do Schools try to meet families where they are financially. On the flip side, families have to be willing to pay what they can afford. Many parents who enrol their children in private school do so with significant financial sacrifices. These commonly include lifestyle impacts such as forgoing expensive vacations, driving modest vehicles, and putting off home renovations. For some, it means considering refinancing, a loan from the bank or line of credit, and/or slowing or delaying paying off household debt. Putting an annual tax refund toward school tuition and taking in a tenant are options for some families. If your child is young and you think it’s a good possibility that you might want to consider private school later on, it’s a great idea to contribute regularly to a TFSA (tax-free savings account) or other savings account. As well as a hard look at the family budget, look into whether there are government assistance options – such as the federal tax credit for a child with a disability, for example. Sometimes, families are helped over the financial hump by extended family members. Meet with the school, meet with your bank, meet at the kitchen table. You won’t know whether it’s possible until you try!

through challenge

TUITION: what’s included? To avoid unexpected costs, find out exactly what you’re paying for with tuition fees. The list below will give you an idea of what’s typically included in tuition fees. It can be different depending on the school, so ask directly to be sure. what’s included • academic courses – and activities and trips directly related to them • residential and sports programs • access to computer labs (for junior students) • licensing and user fees • textbooks (especially in junior school) • regular school cultural, social and recreational events • use of school health centre (typically staffed with registered nurses, with access to a school doctor if needed) • daily lunch (for some day schools) • yearbook • individual school photographs

• local travelling expenses for athletic teams • student committee fees what’s not included • registration fee (one-time)/ one-time fees for new students: an enrollment fee and an asset upgrade fee • special events • non-local/occasional trips • meals (for boarding students) • family participation in philanthropic opportunities to fundraise for the school • software licensing fees (typically for senior students) • school uniforms • some sports teams and co-curricular activities • transportation fees • facility renewal fee

to inspiration.

Toronto Waldorf School since 1968

www.torontowaldorfschool.com

Activities outside the classroom are no afterthought at private schools. Instead, they are an essential partner to the academic curriculum. Know what else is unique? Co-curriculars are not optional. Senior students may have more choice than juniors, but no one gets to take a pass on taking up something outside the classroom. Students typically have to play a sport. But there are recreational teams, as well as competitive – so everyone gets a spot. Kids have to explore non-sports activities, too. Sports and clubs are typically held on separate days to solve the scheduling conundrum. Even though many private schools are smaller than large public schools, they usually offer more teams, activities and variety. How? Because coaching, overseeing and supervising co-curriculars is mandatory for teachers. Options vary widely, depending on the school – where it’s located and what its focus may be – as well as students’ interests, teachers’ skill sets, the season and facilities. In sports, offerings could be as diverse as badminton and basketball, rowing and equestrian, or squash and skiing. Individual sports and other physical activities might include figure skating, mountain biking, dance or yoga. Drama or drawing, concert band, music recording, visual arts, creative writing – these may be available as fine arts pursuits. And club possibilities may be things like stagelighting, woodworking, chess or robotics. Model United Nations, anyone? Plus, parents don’t have to ferry their kids around to activities on evenings – and they know their children are playing with and being coached by people who share the school’s values.

Stanstead College

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GIVE IT A try CO-CURRICULARS PUSH STUDENTS TO FIND A PASSION, STRETCH THEIR HORIZONS

Bayview Glen Independent School

King’s-Edgehill School

WHAT HEADS OF SCHOOL SAY “There’s so much to learn when you’re part of a team: how to work together, win together, lose together, with people different from you. The common experience, friendships that develop, the skills you learn, are so important.” Michael Wolfe Stanstead College Stanstead, QC

“Put the buffet out and let them try it in a non-threatening way. There’s no expectation at excellence with extracurriculars. It’s too young to tell children that they don’t have an aptitude for something.” Tim Peters, The Priory School, Montreal

“That’s just healthy, active living. As adults, we’ve got to find an hour a day to do something. If we don’t ingrain those healthy habits in this generation, we’re doing them a disservice. You’ve always wanted to play ice hockey but don’t know how to skate? There’s a development team. It’s not like you’re gonna ride the pine all season.” Joe Seagram, King’s-Edgehill School, Windsor, NS

“You will always have the child who will be hesitant to join. When you make it so they must, they might be terrified at first, but they have to get out of their comfort zone. The world these children will be going into, they have to have a broad base of experience. It can’t just be what’s learned in the books anymore. Those days are gone.” Eileen Daunt, Bayview Independent School, Toronto

Shawnigan Lake

Edison School

Progressive Academy

The Priory School

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 15

ANSWERED questions Open houses are held most frequently in the fall, but many schools hold them throughout the school year. You must register for these events, usually through e-mail. Schools may ask for basic information about your child, such as the grade your child would enter.

How is this school governed (independent board of governors/trustees or owner-operated)?

Is it for profit or not-for-profit?

What criteria do you use to decide whether to admit a student – are academics most important?

What is included or not included in the tuition? What is the average class size and class size cap?

How do teachers monitor a child’s academic progress?

What’s the ratio of teacher to students?

How do you make sure you have committed, qualified staff? What is your record for placing students in university over the last three to five years?

Do most kids get into the programs they want?

How many and what types of co-curricular activities do students have to participate in (sports, arts, community service)?

What facilities do you have outside classrooms to support the activities?

How soon after applying will I know if my child was accepted?

How much is the tuition for the grade my child is hoping to enter?

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What are your social supports?

How is bullying dealt with if it were to happen?

Shutterstock.com

What you should ask at a school’s open house

KEEP ASKING Talking to school staff, such as the head of school and admissions officer, is a must once you have shortlisted a school – as is attending the open house and visiting the school with

St. Clement’s School

LINKING A STRONG FOUNDATION WITH SUCCESS At St. Clement’s School, we believe that education is not just about succeeding academically; it’s about ensuring our girls achieve their potential outside the classroom as well. Our pioneering LINCWell program does just that. LINCWell programming is woven through the entire curriculum, from Grade 1-12 – meaning that from the time they arrive at SCS, our girls are developing critical learning skills, leadership capabilities, and life skills.

your child on a regular school day. But if you’re looking for more reassurance that you’re considering the right school, speak to the parents of current students. At the same time, keep in mind that although personal anecdotes can be illuminating – often reinforcing an impression you already have of a school – remember they convey someone else’s perception. Don’t make your decision based on one parent’s opinion. Here are five questions to ask parents of kids who already attend the school:

PARENT TO parent

So what does LINCWell look like in action? On any given day, LINCWell counsellors can be found helping Junior School teachers bring mindfulness to their classrooms, teaching Middle School students about how their brains work and how they learn best, and preparing Senior School students for university life. LINCWell helps our girls thrive in the face of all the challenges they will encounter, so that by the time they head out into the world, they have developed into young women confidently poised to take on that world. Explore more at scs.on.ca

FIVE TOPICS TO DISCUSS WITH OTHER PARENTS

Why did you choose this particular school for your child, and how long has your child attended? What do you like best about the school/what do you like least? Has your child’s experience with the school been what you imagined? How so? Was your child part of the decision, and is he or she happy here?

Has there ever been a situation, challenge or complaint you brought to the attention of a teacher or other staff member? How do you feel about how the issue was handled?

“At St. Clement’s School, we believe that education is not just about succeeding academically; it’s about ensuring our girls achieve their potential outside the classroom as well.”

For more information, please contact our Admissions Office at 416-483-4835 or visit us:

scs.on.ca

YOU’VE GOT A friend STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS: PAR FOR THE COURSE AT PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Bayview Glen Independent School

At independent schools, peer support refers to ways students help each other. This help could be for practical, social, emotional, or academic reasons. It’s mutually beneficial – older students get a chance to build leadership skills and fulfill community obligations, for example, while younger students get a role model to look up to. Peer support is also an important way schools build a strong community.

Progressive Academy

18 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

Peer tutoring Many schools have peer tutoring systems, in which upper school students can fulfill community outreach obligations, while lower school students benefit from the academic help. Peer tutors typically help kids with reading or homework. “I received an e-mail from a parent,” says Eileen Daunt, Head of School at Bayview Glen Independent School in Toronto, which offers pre-kindergarten through grade 12. “An upper school student had worked with her child. And it just turned his life upside down. The teacher was working alongside the peer tutor, to talk about where the gaps needed to be filled in. It was really great.”

King’s-Edgehill School

Crescent School

MEN OF CHARACTER FROM BOYS OF PROMISE Peer support within a teacher advisory system University preparation (or ‘prep’) schools typically have a system in which students from different grades are grouped together and assigned a teacher advisor. The teacher meets with that same group of students every day throughout the upper (high school) grades. Grade 12 (senior) students in the group help usher in the new students, letting them know what upper school is like, and even helping with feedback during course selection time. Influencing each other through a common goal “A hundred per cent of our kids go to university, says Peter Sturrup, Headmaster of Pickering College in Pickering, Ont. “That’s kind of a given all the way through. And so there is that peer encouragement. There are no kids saying ‘I’m not going to university’. There’s natural, organic support because that’s what our focus is.” If you or your child have read the Harry Potter books, remember Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff? Some private schools divide the student body into ‘houses’. These divisions go vertically through the school, which means there are students from all levels in a house, whether you’re grade three or 12. Houses play sports and otherwise compete against each other in a friendly way, such as through academics – or even running recycling programs. The goals are building school spirit and and a sense of community. “If you play in our badminton team, for example, you are scoring house points,” says Billy Gilliland, Principal of Edison School in Okotoks, Alta. “We have, two or three times a year, a house event, an afternoon. The grade eight students are taking some of the younger kids around to different stations in the school. All community fun events.” Because the houses are a way to divide a larger student body into smaller groups, kids get to know each other’s names within a few months, and look out for each other. “If one of the little guys is wandering around,” says Gilliland, “I would expect one of our students to say ‘Are you okay? Where are you headed?’ ” Helping out incoming students Some private schools assign a current student as a buddy to an incoming pupil so they can come in and get to know the class even before the first day he or she attends the school. For younger kids, playdates might be arranged in the summer months by the school and parents of current and new students, making the September transition easier.

Crescent is a unique place for your son to learn, grow and thrive. Now in our second century, we remain one of the top independent schools for boys in Canada, built on a solid foundation of brotherhood and an unwavering focus on character. Our mission, Men of Character from Boys of Promise, recognizes that boys with curious minds and open hearts have the capacity to learn, lead and leave a legacy. Each day, your son will be immersed in an enriched learning environment. His growth will be fostered through relationships with teachers and mentors who are experts in boys’ growth and development. We take great pride in our supportive network of alumni and parents; and we are dedicated to ensuring Crescent reflects Toronto’s rich cultural diversity. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus and to our community.

We strive to make Crescent School accessible to all Boys of Promise. Please ask us about financial aid.

For more information, please contact our Enrolment and Financial Aid Office at 416-449-2556 ext. 228 or visit

crescentschool.org

STUDENT life PRIVATE DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOLS OFFER MANY BENEFITS

BOARDING SCHOOL There are more than 27 boarding schools in Canada accredited by Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) – 23 of which are also accredited by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). Some boarding programs start at grade six or seven, others at grade eight. Some are only for upper grades (nine through 12). Most schools also have programs for day students. Whether a private day or boarding school is right for your child(ren) depends on many things: where you live, your circumstances – and of course, your individual kid. Benefits of boarding • very structured – set schedule for meals, classes, study/homework help, mandatory co-curricular activities • close, lifelong friendships • strong supervision • independence (university won’t be the first time a kid is away from home, making that transition easier) • time management – an essential life skill that’s valuable throughout life, personally and professionally • study skills – easing the transition to post-secondary studies and increasing the chances of success • time and energy not wasted in going home and back every day; for some day students, this can mean long bus rides • everything’s on campus: meals, sleeping, co-curricular activities, health services, social circle; allows students to be fully immersed in school life, focussed on studies and interests • students, teachers, parents working toward the same goal, who share positive school values • family-like, team-centred ‘we’re in this together’ feeling • positive, camp-like atmosphere (being able to share in many 20 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

• •

•

activities with peers, eat meals, live together in a dorm setting) peers who are motivated, focussed and engaged in doing well at school very commonly, better parent-child relationships – easing friction in the relationship in the adolescent years/ more quality time when parents, children are together taking the stress off of parents – of overseeing school work, ferrying kids to and from extracurricular activities especially for kids from rural and less multicultural areas – the enriching experience of friendships with students from many countries.

King’s-Edgehill School

“It takes courage to be a boarding school parent. You are letting go of your child, and that’s tough. I always say you’re not letting go – you’re letting grow. It’s controlled independence.” — HEADMASTER DAVID ROBERTSON, SHAWNIGAN LAKE SCHOOL, B.C.

Shawnigan Lake School

Stanstead College

The York School

Shawnigan Lake School SCHOOLS WITH BOARDING AND DAY PROGRAMS Some boarding schools have day programs because of the historical evolution of their school, and many have them to provide another option to the local community. Sometimes, students start attending a school’s day program and later switch to boarding. Schools may have options such as five-day boarding, so that students can go home on the weekends. And many schools have programs that let day students try boarding – for a week when their parents have to be away, for example. Schools work to maintain a whole community, regardless of which program a student attends. They do this through special co-curricular activities, social functions and trips. Some boarding schools have a house system. The student body is divided into houses which include day and boarding kids from all grades. Kids are loyal to their house and participate in friendly competitions with other houses for overall points, etc. There may be family-style meals taken together during the day, in which kids from various grades sit at large tables with their designated, multi-year study group and advisory teacher. Schools also ensure there are regular gatherings of the entire school community.

Benefits for a boarding school’s day students • even when day students outnumber boarding students, the culture of boarding benefits them all: a family-like atmosphere, community cohesiveness, etc. • opportunities to have friendships with the international students who attend boarding schools • access to the vast cocurricular options typically available DAY SCHOOL Choosing a private day school with your child depends on the schools available where you live, his or her maturity level – and of course, financial considerations.

REAL LIFE IS CO-ED Every day at The York School, our JK to Grade 12 students connect with each other and the wider world, while embracing differences and finding common ground. “We believe that long-term social and emotional success begins with a co-ed experience. Girls and boys do not have competing learning needs – there are no pink and blue brains,” says Conor Jones, Head of School. Leading educational research illustrates that every student is an individual learner with varied interests, talents and identity markers. The York School’s commitment to co-education does away with gendered stereotypes and instead focuses on what the school believes to be true: that the best learning happens in extraordinary academic environments full of diverse beliefs, pursuits and backgrounds, and guided by excellent teachers. Co-education reflects an increasingly open and interconnected world that requires strength of character and citizenship. In conjunction with the International Baccalaureate programme from JK to Grade 12, our students are enthusiastically accepted for who they are and prepared to take on the world. After all, real life is co-ed.

Benefits of day school • far less cost • parents close by in case of emergency • more time spent between parents and child(ren) • option of more extensive, regular parental involvement in the school • student maintains a connection to their local community • easier to maintain friendships from earlier years; parents get to know each other • as with boarding schools, teachers and parents all working toward the same goal and who share positive school values

“A lot of (boarding) alums will tell you. I’m used to sitting down at night after dinner. I’ve had to learn how to manage my time’.” – HEADMASTER MICHAEL WOLFE, STANSTEAD COLLEGE

For more information, please contact our Admissions Office at 416-646-5275 or visit us:

yorkschool.com

AHEAD BY A century FOUNDED IN A POOR AREA OF ROME IN 1907, MONTESSORI EDUCATION IS STILL AROUND

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Maria Montessori, born in 1870 in Chiaravalle, Italy, was always ahead of her time. Girls were not encouraged then to pursue an education past elementary school, and women held defined gender roles. But with her mother’s encouragement, Montessori enrolled, at 14, in a technical school traditionally for boys. After studying engineering, she switched to medicine and became Italy’s first female medical doctor in 1896. Studying psychiatry at the University of Rome, Montessori became involved in education when she began treating children with special needs. She helped the kids she worked with make great strides in their learning and development. Casa dei Bambini Montessori’s work grew into observing the behaviour of all children when, in 1907, she had the opportunity to open a centre of care for 50 very poor, preschool-age

children in part of Rome. It was called ‘Casa dei Bambini’ – the children’s home. With these kids, Montessori used some of the materials she had employed with mentally challenged children, such as puzzles and eye-hand manipulative exercises. She also had them help out with practical, everyday tasks including cleaning and gardening. The children were fascinated with her program and took to it with demonstrable success. Behaviour problems improved dramatically. The children’s exploding growth and thirst for learning led Montessori to developing more concrete learning materials. She continued to observe, concluding that children learn naturally in predictable ways, with distinct ‘planes of development’, starting with the most crucial: birth to age six. Dr. Montessori adapted and experimented with her program – including teacher training. News of the success of Casa dei Bambini brought many visitors who came to see it at work for themselves. She continued observing, adapting and honing her method and materials. Schools employing her techniques started to open elsewhere, including England and Spain.

Luminaries such as Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and Ayn Rand became fans of her thinking about education. Expansion – and adversity at home Montessori expanded her program through the elementary years in the 1920s and 30s, for ages six to 12 years and ages 12 to 18. After Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy, he at first encouraged Montessori schools, funding them and helping establish a teacher training centre. But later, he insisted that all students in the country, including Montessori pupils, enrol in his fascist youth organization. Maria Montessori was exiled when she refused to comply, first to Spain – which was subsequently taken over by its own fascist government – and then to The Netherlands. In 1939, she was invited to India, where she conducted training courses. In the 1940s, she developed her method further, this time to include babies and toddlers. She returned to Europe for a time, travelled to Pakistan and back to India. Montessori was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. She moved to The Netherlands in 1951, where she died the following year.

MONTESSORI TODAY Montessori education really began to take off in North America in the 1950s and 60s. Today, there are tens of thousands of Montessori schools in more than 100 countries. Characteristics of Montessori education • Three-year age groupings based on developmental ‘planes’: infant/toddler (0 to 3), Casa (3 to 6) lower elementary (6 to 9), upper elementary (9 to 12), and middle school (12 to 14). The majority offer Casa through upper elementary. • Montessori curriculum. • Teachers formally trained in the Montessori method and philosophy. • Prepared environment: low,

open shelving, large area for floor work, appropriately sized furniture. Tactile, sensory materials, specific Montessori materials. These are attractively displayed in sequence for use by children and teachers in delivering the curriculum. • Freedom with limits (for example, the freedom to move around the classroom after a lesson, choose from specific activities, observe other students’ learning. • Individual, child-led, activitybased learning.

22 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

North Star Montessori • Co-operation and collaboration/social interaction. • Significant uninterrupted time blocks for learning and exploring.

• Children learning at their own pace: not moving on from a lesson, for example, before they fully understand it – or moving ahead of peers if they’re ready.

Hillfield Strathallan College

FIND JOY. EXPLORE POTENTIAL. LIVE WITH PURPOSE. Hillfield Strathallan College Dr. Maria Montessori’s principles continue to guide Montessori education. Example of a lesson To teach about the Earth’s hemispheres and the continents – and where the children themselves live – the coloured globe is used. It shows the continents in different colours. (The colours used for each continent are the same as in related materials for more advanced lessons later on; North America, for example, would always be orange.) The teacher would hold up the globe, explain that it is round, it is a sphere, it is a

North Star Montessori

globe – and that it represents the planet we live on, Earth. The blue represents water, and the other colours represent land. The kids sing the ‘continent song’ with their teacher. Rotating the globe in her or his hands, the teacher explains that the children live in North America, that their classmate moved here from Europe, that another friend’s family is from South America. In the next lesson, the teacher would use the globe alongside a hard, flat continent map to reinforce which continents are which. Lessons later progress to a puzzle map of countries, pin maps, etc., reinforcing past lessons and building on them. Lessons are often comprised of three parts: ‘this is’, ‘show me’ and ‘what is this’. After a lesson is given, children are free to choose from purposeful activities. Good to know Because the word ‘Montessori’ is in the public domain, anyone can call theirs a Montessori school. That’s why it’s important for parents to do their research. One way to look into a school is to check whether it’s recognized by bodies such as CCMA (Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators).

What does joy look like? It’s the high five a Grade 6 rugby player receives from his Grade 8 teammate after his first start. It’s the Grade 11 math class examining parabolic arches by shooting basketballs in the gym. It’s the smile on the face of a Montessori student who can see a seedling peeking through the dirt where she once planted a seed. Joy is found at Hillfield Strathallan College. From the moment a student walks onto the 50-acre campus in Hamilton, Ontario, the journey begins. Starting as early as 18-months in the Junior and Montessori Schools, students drive their desire to learn through inquiry and imagination. HSC Middle School students in Grades 5 through 8 discover who they are, and what their interests are, in a positive and supportive environment. In the Senior School, students in Grades 9 through 12 expand their horizons and take ownership of the educational pathways leading them into their futures. The graduate who emerges from HSC is inspired with the skills needed to live, and lead, with purpose. Learn more at hsc.on.ca

Learn more about the learning opportunities available at Hillfield Strathallan College by calling 905-389-1367 or visiting

hsc.on.ca

SELECTING A private school

CHOOSING A SCHOOL WHERE YOUR CHILD WILL THRIVE by DR. GLENN ZEDERAYKO

Shawnigan Lake School

How do I make sure that a school is a great fit for my child? Really good private schools focus on providing outstanding educational and life experiences. Be honest with yourself when evaluating what school meets the needs of your child. Putting a round peg in a square hole will not make the peg square. Your goal is to determine which school will help your child reach their full potential and be happy and content. Can’t I choose based on standardized scores and university acceptances? Consider those, but also much more. One ‘best’ school that fits every child perfectly is a myth. Choose the best fit for your child and your family. Schools offer unique approaches to teaching and learning, and some may not work for your child. For example, some schools are highly competitive, while others are very collaborative. Think about what suits your child best. I want my child to have a well-rounded education: academics, arts, athletics and character-building. But my child tends to be keen in one area. Should I choose a school that focusses in that area?

24 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

Being well-rounded and capable of exploring new opportunities is key to being happy and successful. Ask how the school will support your child in their passion, yet ensure they engage in all areas. How do I assess the ability of an upper or senior school (high school) to get my child into a rewarding program at a great university?

So much information! Do I have to look at all of it? You are spending a lot of money in hopes of making a positive impact on your child’s learning and how they meet opportunities in life. This is the time to be thorough and reflective: • Read everything in the school’s printed and online materials. • Read online reviews. • Visit schools’ open houses and information sessions. • What does each school celebrate and promote? What doesn’t a school celebrate that you value? Does it match your expectations?

Ask for each school’s three- to fiveyear university placement records, and a detailed explanation of how its program and university counselling supports students. Ask about their graduates’ record beyond just getting in; strong schools ensure graduates are equipped to do well at university, in postgraduate studies and in their careers. How can I assess whether a school caters to individuals? Small classes alone do not ensure teachers really know their students. Ask what teachers do to individualize and how the school delivers enrichment and remediation. Does it offer kids opportunities to pursue interests? What about advisor programs that ensure your child has a wellinformed, dedicated teacher? How do I ensure teachers and staff are expert, inspiring and highly committed? Schools’ biggest expenses are the salaries and benefits required to attract, develop and retain great people. Compare the financial statements of schools you are interested in to understand the importance placed on having the best staff. Ask school officials how they hire the best people. You

One ‘best’ school that fits every child perfectly is a myth. Pick the school that’s best for your child. in a competitive, uncertain work force. The effectiveness of this approach is debatable. Homework should be meaningful and develop higher level thinking skills, such as applying knowledge and skills to solve problems. Developing an eager, disciplined approach to learning is important. But hours of memorizing will not help your child become a creative, innovative thought leader and problem-solver.

Bayview Glen Independent School should also query them about faculty and staff turnover at the school. My neighbour’s child is in grade six and does three hours of homework a night. Is this a good thing? Some parents believe good schools pile on homework to ensure children succeed

It’s important that my child is prepared for a world where technology is more and more prevalent. What should I look for? The first consideration is that the school keeps students safe. Next, computer labs tend to be passé. Schools don’t make students share pencils; the same should be true about technology. You may hear every student has a Chromebook or an iPad, but how do students use these devices? They should be integrated into instruction and open up the world. Technology can be

seductive without being highly effective as a learning tool. For example, one student using an interactive board while 19 others look on is not engaging every student. What about social supports? Making sure students look after each other should be one of the first things you hear about when you visit. Does the school handbook promote clear guidelines that promote positive interactions? Do programs bring older and younger students together to promote constructive relationships? When you visit, do students seem happy? Are they polite and respectful? Do teachers and administrative staff interact with students in a cheerful, encouraging, courteous manner? Dr. Glenn Zederayko is Head of School at Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria, B.C. He has inspired students, staff and parents in five private schools in three provinces for more than 30 years.

Strong Academics, Athletic, Music & Visual Arts Advanced Reach Ahead Program & Highschool Standing Advanced French & Mandarin Chinese Language Curriculum Small Personalized Classes Dedicated Qualified Teaching Staff Wide Range of Extracurricular Activities Hot Lunch Provided

ADMITone PRIVATE SCHOOLS SEEK STUDENTS THEY CAN SET UP FOR SUCCESS. HERE’S HOW THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS WORKS.

by LYDIA J. HAWKINS

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Where do I start? Word-of-mouth is the best way to learn about independent schools. Talk to coworkers, family members and neighbours. Internet searches, educational directories and national organizations are great onestop shops for information. Visit sites that accredit private and independent schools, such as Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). How do you schedule a campus visit? Once you have a few schools of interest, schedule a campus visit by contacting the admissions office. Schools will schedule a personal tour or direct you to open house or information sessions. Provide a little information about your child, such as the grade they are seeking and specific interests so the admissions office can tailor the visit. Give your cell phone number so the school can reach you with last-minute information about your visit, such as school closures. For the most part, campus visits

26 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

are scheduled within the academic day so families can truly get a feel for the school. What happens on a visit? You can expect to have a walk through the school, watch a few minutes of classes, and speak with the admissions office. Some schools will have you speak with teachers or shadow a class. Many schools will use the time to conduct the child’s interview and do the student assessment. Whether you’re just starting to research, seeing the school for the first time, or are partway through the application on a return visit, treat each visit as a chance to make a first impression. (Remember that while you’re looking at the school, they are considering you, too.) Even if you’re in the early stages of your search, let your child know why you’re there; it’s important she or he is on board. What are standardized tests and assessments? There are different assessment tools for

various age groups. For middle and senior schools, the most popular standardized test is the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test). The SSATs are typically used as part of the application process, not as a make-orbreak component. Preparation can ease nerves before an assessment, but too much prep can cause anxiety, which has the potential of producing a skewed score. What is included in the application? The application is another opportunity for the school to learn about your child and family. They will ask why you’re considering a new school and how it can best support your child. Students’ essays are a first insight into their academic abilities. Answers should be thoughtful and edited, but a true reflection of their writing abilities and thought processes. For many schools, the completed application will also include report cards from current and previous schools.

What questions should you ask school officials? Throughout the research phase, your campus visit, and the application process, you’ll be inundated with information about schools. Know what your priorities are and ask specific questions. Important things to consider: • class size • student support • co-curricular activities • structure of the academic day • how families and the school communicate • what’s unique about the school Anything else I need to know? Have fun! Selecting a new school can be daunting, yet exciting. Independent schools are eager to show how your family could make a great fit at their school. Each school wants to ensure it will help your child succeed. If your child is not offered a place at a particular school, you should feel confident that your child’s best interests were considered, and the perfect school for them is very likely in their future. The interview The interview is a key opportunity for the school to get to know you. Students and parents may be interviewed separately. Questions will pertain to the current school year, the student’s strengths and challenges, goals, and desire to attend the school. Depending on the grade, situational questions around decisionmaking and other non-cognitive assessment tools may also be used. For parents, schools hope to ensure a strong partnership between the home and classroom. While it’s important to prepare, being honest is integral to the process. When should you start the process? Now is a great time! Many schools conduct most of their admission cycle during the fall and winter. Some have published deadlines, while others consider applications on a rolling basis. Even for schools with deadlines, spaces can open throughout the year, as families inform schools about relocations and reenrollment. If a school doesn’t have a place in the desired grade when you call, go ahead with the application process to ensure you’re in consideration if a place becomes available – later that week or just before the school year begins. Lydia J. Hawkins is Director of Enrollment, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School in Okotoks, Alta.

We’re leaders in education that empowers grade 1-12 students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. • Max 10 students per class • Individualized and prescriptive 1:1 language instruction • Personalized programming to build cognition and academic skills • School-wide Executive Function Curriculum Our results speak for themselves. An impressive 90% of our graduates go on to college or university.

CALL US FOR A SCHOOL TOUR 604 736 5575

2294 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC | fraseracademy.ca

ParentsCanada

School Guide to

LISTINGS

Progressive Academy

Now that you’ve learned about the world of private schools in Canada, take a look at the detailed information about individual schools in the following pages. In this section, you’ll find the following information about each school: • • • • •

The year the school was established. Grades taught. Gender (boys only, girls only or co-ed). Teacher-to-child ratio. Day school or boarding – or a combination of the two.

• • • •

Annual fees. Location and contact information. Affiliated organizations. A description of school programs and philosophy.

Good luck with your private school research! 2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 29

FIND THE PERFECT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD

PrivateSchoolGuide.ca

Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest online private school directory Over 1,800 elementary & secondary schools Information & advice to guide you through the process

SCHOOL affiliations Some organizations offer accreditation to all private/independent schools that meet their criteria, and others are specific to a certain type of school. Accreditation can give you peace of mind, but it is just one of the things to consider as part of a thorough research process; many private/independent schools of excellent quality do not have affiliations.

Apple Distinguished School

ÉduCanada

Lasallian Education

Outward Bound Canada

Archdiocese of Toronto

Fédération des établissements d’enseignement privés

Learning Disabilities Association Vancouver

Peaceful Schools International

The Association of Boarding Schools

Feuerstein Institute

Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Récherche

Quebec Association of Independent Schools

Association of Waldorf Schools of North America

Federation of Independent School Associations British Columbia

National Association of Independent Schools

Round Square International

National Catholic Educational

Secondary School Admission Test Board

Small Boarding Schools Association

Augustinian Secondary Education Association

IB Continuum

Canadian Accredited Independent Schools

Independent Schools Association of British Columbia

National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators

International Baccalaureate World School

New England Association of Schools and Colleges Ontario

Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario

International Boys’ Schools Coalition

Ontario Ministry of Education

Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America

Council of Advanced Placement Schools in Ontario

International Dyslexia Association

Ontario Eco Schools

Western Boarding Schools Association

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Independent Schools Association of Northern New England

Ontario Federation of Independent Schools

SSAF

Small Schools Athletic Federation

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 31

NE W B RUNSWICK

QUE B EC

Rothesay Netherwood School

Académie Marie-Claire

Académie Vaudrin Academy

rns.cc

amcca.ca

academievaudrin.ca

40 College Hill Rd., Rothesay, NB E2E 5H1

18190 Boulevard Elkas, Kirkland, QC H9J 3Y4

1255 Émile-Bouchard, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 0B7

Year established 1877

Grades 6 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1995

Grades Pre-K to 6

Gender Co-ed

Year established 2005

Grades Pre-K to 6

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $21,670$58,180

Teacher to Child ratio 1:23

Boarding No

Annual Fees $12,100

Teacher to Child ratio 1:10

Boarding No

Annual Fees $11,250

Contact: Admissions Office | (506) 847-8224 admission@rns.cc

Contact: Henry Zephirin | (514) 697-9995 henry@amcca.ca

Contact: Paula Mesa | (450) 510-5454 pmesa@academievaudrin.ca

Affiliations

Rothesay Netherwood School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for grades 6 to 12 offering innovative, world-class learning experiences in a safe and caring school community. We challenge students to be active, compassionate leaders with a global perspective and the determination to make a difference. The academic program at RNS is challenging and comprehensive, yet flexible enough to accommodate each student. Small class sizes, highly qualified and caring teachers, extra help, compulsory study, and frequent reporting facilitate superior student learning. RNS provides opportunities to develop the whole student through arts, athletics, Outward Bound activities, local and Round Square International service projects, exchanges, and the Duke of Edinburgh Program. Our graduates attend the finest universities in Canada and beyond.

Académie Marie-Claire is a private, French and English bilingual school offering an enriched curriculum at least 1 to 2 grades above grade level. The school houses a pre-school and a kindergarten entity. It is the ONLY primary school that is completely departmentalized providing experts in their area of studies to teach and the ONLY primary school with a full-fledged Science Lab. It is also the ONLY International Mathematics Champion producing school throughout the history of Canada. Robotics and coding are offered to children from grades 1 to 6. Co-ed students enjoy state-of-the-art technology throughout all of the entities, the opportunity to learn a third language (i.e. Spanish, Italian, or Mandarin), Homework/ Study Program, extended hours, and homecooked meals prepared by our resident chef, and much more. The Académie is more than a place of academic learning. It is a place where participants learn to collaborate; where life-long skills in human relations are brought to fruition; where respect and collaboration lead to greater understanding and improved performance; where future leaders are molded and carved. Aim Further – Aim Higher!

The latest research in education supports our profound belief that a child best flourishes in a safe, loving, and rich environment. All people at Vaudrin Academy are expected to do their best in every task undertaken. If a student receives 85% on a test, but we know she can do better, we’ll gently ask her what happened. If a student receives 65% and gave it her all, we’ll encourage her to savour her success and keep reaching higher. Our growth mindset culture is present from our Montessori 2-year-olds to our grade 6 scholars. Strong bonds are forged amongst everyone at our school to create the acceptance and trust needed to take risks, learn from our failures, and push ourselves further than ever in academics and beyond. Every moment with our students is an opportunity to model and discuss empathy, creativity, critical thinking, integrity, perseverance, and self-regulation – the tools necessary for true happiness and success in life. Our job is to inspire children to make our world a better place by using their own unique talents.

32 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

Q U EB EC

Bishop’s College School

Kells Academy

Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie

bishopscollegeschool.com

kells.ca

psnm.qc.ca

80 Moulton Hill Rd., Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1Z8

6865 De Maisonneuve W, Montreal, QC H4B 1T1 2290 Cavendish Blvd., Montreal, QC H4B 2M7

628, chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Outremont QC H2V 2C5

Year established 1836

Grades 7 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1978

Grades K to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1905

Grades 7 to 11

Gender Girls

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $23,600$54,700

Teacher to Child ratio 1:10

Boarding Homestay Residence

Annual Fees $14,350$18,700

Teacher to Child ratio 1:33

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $3,950$9,425

Contact: Greg McConnell | (819) 566-0238, ext. 296 gmcconnell@bishopscollegeschool.com

Contact: Lesley Farrell | (514) 485-8565 kadmin@kells.ca

Contact: Madeleine Deguire | (514) 735-5261, ext. 3045 admission@psnm.qc.ca

Affiliations

Established in 1836, Bishop’s College School (BCS) is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and certificates. With a campus bordered by farmland and rolling hills on one side and by the city of Sherbrooke on the other, BCS is a small, welcoming community and a second home to students from over 30 different countries. We create a caring community of learning and development where cultures connect and individuals matter. By embracing a rigorous yet supportive academic program and a wellrounded education that includes athletics, the arts, leadership and development, and global citizenship, we prepare our students to become tomorrow’s leaders. The R.D.W. Howson Enrichment Centre offers daily, structured tutoring sessions, as well as flexible and tailored academic support to individual students. We offer a Bilingual Option (English and French), as well as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program, and are a proud member of Round Square, through which students can go on exchanges and volunteer abroad.

Kells Academy is an English private school located in the heart of Montreal. Founded in 1978 on the belief that every student is unique and should be given the opportunity to thrive and reach their potential, we see it as our mission to develop, encourage, and provide them with the very best education possible. We do this by focusing on high academic standards, social awareness, and personal growth. In separate elementary and high school campuses, Kells offers small classes with a focus on creativity and technology, excellent academic, arts, and sports programs. We also have an explorations program offering supplemental courses such as robotics, chess, coding, yoga, dance, foreign languages, martial arts, and introduction to business. There are a myriad of interesting clubs and extracurricular activities that students may participate in as well. Kells enjoys close to 100% graduation rate and high acceptance across all disciplines in CEGEP. Students do not need a Certificate of Eligibility to attend.

Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie is a private francophone all-girl high school that aims to provide a high level of education for its students while developing their full potential. Specializing in girls’ education for over 110 years, the school recognizes the importance of effort and intellectual rigour, but also of balance, in order to cultivate happiness in a positive and stimulating learning environment. Fundamental human values such as sharing, cooperation, concern for others, awareness of social inequalities and openness are at the heart of Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie’s mission statement. With a human and rigorous approach, it encourages experimentation and reflection through various programs: International Baccalaureate, Musique-études (an intensive music program in collaboration with École de musique Vincent-d’Indy) and Danse-études (an intensive professional dance program in collaboration with École supérieure de ballet du Québec). In addition to its 30 sports teams, the school offers ELA (English Language Arts), Option Sciences plus (three science classes in secondary 5), courses which offer extra enrichment, language exchanges, a wide array of extracurricular activities, and a school residence.

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 33

QU E B E C

ONTA R I O

Stanstead College

Academy for Gifted Children – P.A.C.E.

Bayview Glen Independent School

stansteadcollege.com

pace.on.ca

bayviewglen.ca

450 Dufferin, Stanstead, QC., J0B 3E0

12 Bond Cres., Richmond Hill, ON L4E 3K2

275 Duncan Mill Rd., Toronto ON M3B 3H9

Year established 1872

Grades 7 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1993

Grades 1 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1962

Grades Preschool to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $48,100

Teacher to Child ratio 1:15

Boarding No

Annual Fees $13,000

Teacher to Child ratio Varies

Boarding No

Annual Fees $17,505$26,000

Contact: Joanne Carruthers | (819) 876-2223 admissions@stansteadcollege.com

Contact: Barbara Rosenberg | (905) 773-0997

Contact: Judy Maxwell | (416) 443-1030 jmaxwell@bayviewglen.ca

Affiliations

Three granite arches grace the entrance of Colby House, Stanstead College’s main building. The arches reflect the school’s motto – Sanitas Sapientia Religio or health, wisdom and integrity – as well as its highly structured programs of academics, athletics and student life. At Stanstead College boys and girls in Grades 7 through 12 live and study on a picturesque campus surrounded by the hills of Quebec’s Eastern Townships and Northern Vermont. The school has a population of approximately 235 students from around the world and a highly involved faculty and staff. In addition to the Quebec Diploma at Secondary V (Grade 11), Stanstead College offers a Grade 12 option based on Advanced Placement and Ontario preuniversity programs. Students enjoy a strong sense of community as they prepare for university. Building on over 140 years of tradition, Stanstead College reinforces traditional values as it embraces innovation in a constantly changing world.

The Academy For Gifted Children – P.A.C.E. is a non-denominational, co-educational private day school devoted entirely to meeting the needs of identified intellectually gifted students in grades 1-12. Through a differentiated curriculum built on greater depth and breadth of instruction using methodologies specific to gifted education, our primary goal is to enhance the abilities of our students, while simultaneously addressing their social and emotional needs. P.A.C.E. is based on the premise that gifted children need high-powered learning experiences to challenge their minds and ensure intellectual growth and achievement. In addition to the academic disciplines, P.A.C.E. students excel through their experiences with dynamic field studies, a competitive fine arts program, a comprehensive athletic program and a plethora of national and international competitions. P.A.C.E. has ranked nationally in math, science, and Robotics, and in both creative and expository writing competitions; these wonderful opportunities serve as a catalyst to the pursuit and achievement of our students’ future goals and successes.

Bayview Glen is Toronto’s academically invigorating, internationally connected, coeducational Preschool-through-Grade 12 independent school. Thriving on two closely connected campuses, our carefully calibrated programme welcomes the youngest preschoolers and guides them, step-by-step, to become intelligent, compassionate young adults. Our close-knit and vibrantly diverse community, inspired by expert teachers and fueled by a forward thinking curriculum, shapes independent thinkers and proactive citizens. Bayview Glen students graduate as caring, engaged cosmopolitans, fully prepared for top post-secondary institutions at home and abroad. Equally important, they step forth with the intellectual and personal fortitude to embrace and enhance a world of accelerating change.

34 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

O NTA R I O

The Bishop Strachan School

Crescent School

De La Salle College

bss.on.ca

crescentschool.org

delasalle.ca

298 Lonsdale Rd, Toronto, ON M4V 1X2

2365 Bayview Ave., Toronto ON M2L 1A2

131 Farnham Ave., Toronto, ON M4V 1H7

Year established 1867

Grades JK to 12

Gender Girls

Year established 1913

Grades 3 to 12

Gender Boys

Year established 1851

Grades 5 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:9

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $31,740$60,130

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8

Boarding No

Annual Fees $32,350

Teacher to Child ratio 1:22

Boarding No

Annual Fees $14,250

Contact: Student Recruiting | (416) 483-4325, ext. 1220 studentrecruiting@bss.on.ca

Contact: Mr. David Shaw | (416) 449-2556, ext. 228 apply@crescentschool.org

Contact: Robert Lundy | (416) 969-8771, ext. 224/223 rlundy@delasalle.ca/bcarreco@delasalle.ca

Affiliations

The Bishop Strachan School (BSS) is Canada’s oldest independent day and boarding school for girls, with a 150-year history of inspiring girls to be fearless and educating them to be leaders. Renowned for its powerful academic program and focus on emotional, social and creative development, BSS offers girls from JK to Grade 12 a world-class curriculum, with Advanced Placement courses in a dynamic, challenging environment with state-of-the-art facilities, delivered by an expert faculty that prizes constant learning and renewal. Located in the beautiful Forest Hill neighbourhood of Toronto, the BSS campus is a true intersection of old and new, with the main building an architectural icon constructed in 1915, connected to the light-filled Junior School built in 2004 and a new STEAM wing opening in fall 2017, featuring enhanced spaces for music, arts, athletics, science, technology, and innovation and design.

Crescent School, located in Toronto, has been a leader in boys’ education since 1913. Our mission, Men of Character from Boys of Promise, recognizes every student’s potential, enabling each boy to seize all the possibilities associated with his unique abilities. Character development is part of our DNA. We are deeply committed to mentoring, role modelling and relational learning – areas which educational experts believe bring out the best in boys. At Crescent, each boy has mentors, coaches, teachers and specialists who invest the time needed to ensure he feels known, cared for and recognized as an individual. Our rigorous learning environment and superb faculty foster a strong work ethic and love of learning. And our co-curricular Character-inAction programs in the arts, business, outreach, athletics and robotics develop character outside the classroom. Our expertise is supported by exceptional resources, including high-tech learning spaces, libraries, a professionally equipped theatre, artificial turf playing fields and a stateof-the-art athletic facility. Every boy’s experience at Crescent is enriched by a supportive and enthusiastic community of parents and alumni, who are committed to the continual progress of our School and every student it serves.

De La Salle College “Oaklands” is an independent, Roman Catholic, co-educational day school, inspired by St. John Baptist de La Salle. Founded in 1851, De La Salle College continues to educate young men and women in a Christian atmosphere, developing a strong sense of religious and moral values. The College offers an advanced liberal arts curriculum, enhanced by extracurricular programs enabling students to develop leadership skills, self-confidence and social responsibility. Students at De La Salle embrace a challenging curriculum, engage in spiritual life, athletic programs, extracurricular activities and community service. Our graduates go on to be scholars at universities across the country and around the world. They will also be expected to be ambassadors of the Lasallian mission: “Enter to learn. Leave to serve.” The school is accepting applications for grades 5 through 12 for 2018-2019.

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 35

O N TA RIO

The Element High School

The Giles School

Havergal College

elementhighschool.com

gilesschool.ca

havergal.on.ca

425 Marché Way, Unit 201 Ottawa, ON, K1S 5J3

80 Scarsdale Rd., Toronto, ON M3B 2R7

1451 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON M5N 2H9

Year established 2012

Grades 7 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1989

Grades Preschool to 8

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1894

Grades JK to 12

Gender Girls

Teacher to Child ratio 1:18

Boarding No

Annual Fees $16,260$17,892

Teacher to Child ratio 1:15

Boarding No

Annual Fees $13,578$22,540

Teacher to Child ratio 1:9

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $31,725$58,000

Contact: Gregory Dixon | (613) 521–5185 info@elementhighschool.com

Contact: Thérèse Awad | (416) 446-0825 office@gilesschool.ca

Contact: Maggie Houston-White | (416) 482-4724 admissions@havergal.on.ca

Affiliations

SSAF The Element High School, located in Ottawa, Ontario, provides conditions that will put youth ‘in their element,’ in school and beyond. What engages us depends on our stage of development and so there are two programs at The Element High School, e1 for Grades 7 to 8 and e2 for Grades 9 to 12, each responsive to two unique stages of development. Each of these programs takes advantage of the intersection of youth’s developmental characteristics and the requirements of the real world. This creates the conditions for focused engagement that lead to personal excellence. Our physical spaces support an innovative high school education that maximizes youth’s intellect, energy, and growth. There are a variety of learning commons rooms – spaces with a variety of seating where lessons can be given to individuals, small groups or a larger class. There are quiet break-out rooms for seminar groups or independent study, as well as a small commercial kitchen for students to prepare lunches for their class, a an art/design studio and a science lab.

36 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

Children thrive in our inclusive learning environment where it’s safe to take risks, make mistakes and explore their own interests. Our students continuously achieve the highest academic outcomes across all subjects including French and English. Mandarin is introduced in Grade 1 as a third language, making The Giles School one of the most engaging language schools in Canada. We’re focused on nurturing the whole child, each totally unique and exceptional. We work with the individual strengths and needs of our students to help them find their place and purpose in an increasingly complex world. Our activitybased learning offers a varied and comprehensive education through the use of multilingual immersion, cutting-edge technology and small class sizes. The Giles School is an independent, not-forprofit French immersion private school located in Toronto, Ontario. We foster a tightly knit, supportive learning community where academic power and emotional versatility are possible for all children. We can’t wait to meet you and your family! Book your personal tour of the school today.

Havergal College, one of Canada’s preeminent independent schools for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, empowers students to develop into dynamic global leaders with inquiring minds, wisdom and self-knowledge. A Havergal girl is encouraged to investigate and explore the world around her while discovering her own unique capabilities. She is not afraid to ask questions and take risks. She is an excellent communicator who is adaptable and confident. She balances a variety of opportunities while living her life with compassion and integrity, knowing she possesses the academic and life skills to make a difference. As an Old Girl, she will join our proud continuum of 9,500 alumnae who are connected in more than 70 countries around the world. Join us for our 2017 Open Houses on the following dates: October 19—Junior School; October 25—Grade 7; and November 2— Grade 9. To register, visit www.havergal.on.ca/openhouse

O NTAR I O

Hillfield Strathallan College

Holy Name of Mary College School

Holy Trinity School

hsc.on.ca

www.hnmcs.ca

hts.on.ca

299 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton, ON L9C 1G3

2241 Mississauga Rd., Mississauga ON L5H 2K8

11300 Bayview Ave., Richmond Hill, ON, L4S 1L4

Year established 1901

Grades Preschool to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 2008

Grades 5 to 12

Gender Girls

Year established 1981

Grades JK to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:16-20

Boarding No

Annual Fees $7,416$26,904

Teacher to Child ratio 1:12

Boarding offered Homestay

Annual Fees $16,650

Teacher to Child ratio 1:18

Boarding No

Annual Fees $26,725$28,720

Contact: Sheriann Heath-Johnston | (905) 389-1367, ext. 106 admissions@hsc.on.ca

Contact: Giselle Fernandes | (905) 891-1890 Ext. 103 admissions@hnmcs.ca

Contact: Richard Vissers | (905) 737-1115 admissions@hts.on.ca

Affiliations

Established in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) is one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering enriched academic, art and athletic programs to students 18-months through Grade 12. HSC offers purposefully designed programming, with robust support services, to ensure student success. In the College’s stateof-the-art facilities on the 50-acre campus in Hamilton, Ontario, HSC encourages students to learn with joy and live with purpose. Learn more about the learning opportunities available at Hillfield Strathallan College by visiting hsc.on.ca or calling 905-389-1367.

Holy Name of Mary College School is an independent Catholic school for girls in grades 5-12. Set on a picturesque 7 acre setting in Mississauga the school is guided by our founders, the Felician Sisters & the Basilian Fathers, two icons of Catholic education. We provide a high achieving, university preparatory programme to guide bright, curious and dedicated students by shaping their minds and touching their hearts. Our distinctive balance of support, encouragement, and nurturing relationships prepares students to meet the challenges and uncertainties of a changing world with resiliency and a strong moral compass. A unique tapestry of academic excellence, athletics, arts, outdoor education, and cocurricular activities combined with leadership experience provides countless engaging opportunities for girls to be inspired and leverage their voices. It is a school distinguished by excellence that invigorates the student experience and celebrates the uniqueness of every girl in a culture of academic achievement that builds self-confidence and empowers girls to become influential leaders of change.

Holy Trinity School (HTS) is a co-educational, JKGrade 12, independent day school that provides a safe, structured, and supportive environment for students to develop character and values such as respect, integrity, leadership, and confidence. We are leaders in learning. Our mission is rooted in academic excellence and our commitment to our students continues to inspire us to pursue innovative teaching practices and programs to support the development of all our learners. Our program develops students’ passions, skills, and knowledge which will enable them to thrive. This is complemented by extensive sports, music, drama, art and co-curricular programs that provide a rich and well-rounded school experience for students of every age. At HTS, every student matters! Our partnership with other organizations and educational institutions provides a flexible program which fulfills the needs of our student body. Our Apple 1:1 Program creates a dynamic learning environment that meets the diverse needs of our learners, while also engaging the community. It has fostered a creative, global, and connected classroom experience. Come and visit us; we can’t wait to meet you.

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 37

O N TA RIO

Magnificent Minds

Metropolitan Preparatory Academy

Montcrest School

magnificentminds.ca

MetroPrep.com

montcrest.on.ca

47 Glenbrook Ave. Toronto, ON M6B 2L7

49 Mobile Dr., Toronto, ON M4A 1H5

4 Montcrest Blvd., Toronto, ON M4K 1J7

Year established 2011

Grades K to 8

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1982

Grades 7 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1961

Grades JK to 8

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:4

Boarding No

Annual Fees $16,000$25,000

Teacher to Child ratio 1:12

Boarding Homestay

Annual Fees $21,760$26,500

Teacher to Child ratio 1:7-1:18

Boarding No

Annual Fees $18,900$38,175

Contact: Billy Kelner | (647) 404-6349 magnificentmindstoronto@gmail.com

Contact: Wayne McKelvey | (416) 285-0870 Admissions@metroprep.com

Contact: Erene Augustyn | 416-469-2008, ext. 230 erene_augustyn@montcrest.on.ca

Affiliations

Magnificent Minds is a low-ratio, co-educational private school for students from pre-kindergarten to grade 8. Using the science of learning, and an experiential approach, we motivate our students to achieve academic excellence, personal greatness and develop multiple intelligences. We offer an inclusive environment equipped to meet the diverse needs of our students. Our philosophy reflects our dedication to championing each student to personal greatness. We know that individualized education is the highest standard, calling for an approach which assesses student skills across their multiple intelligences. We are dedicated to low-ratio classrooms, and provide group learning experiences which account for the strengths and needs of each student. We recognize that for many of our students, traditional one-size-fits-all instruction has missed the mark. We continue to develop and extend knowledge in areas of strength, and build upon existing skills— in a way that is systematic and precise, in areas of need. Through our psychoeducational approach, we understand the variables that impact learning. We know that education must target the development of the whole child, across multiple paradigms.

Metropolitan Preparatory Academy is a semestered, coeducational, university preparatory day school that offers a challenging yet supportive program for students in Grades 7 to 12. Walking into Metro Prep, you’ll quickly notice that it’s not your “old-fashioned” private institution. The academics are structured and challenging, yet the environment is supportive and nurturing. Faculty and administration doors are open, encouraging strong relationships with students and their families. No uniforms are in sight, allowing young men and women to express their individuality. In this comfortable setting, Metro Prep’s students are taught to trust their instincts, to think both critically and creatively, ask questions, and seek the help they need to succeed. Extensive athletic and extracurricular opportunities foster the physical and social potential of each child. For over 30 years, Metro Prep has been preparing children for the academics of University with the skills needed for lifelong success. Preparation begins now!

Montcrest School is a co-educational community, small enough to honour the individual and big enough to provide an exceptional academic experience with balanced opportunities in leadership, the arts, and athletics. Our school challenges children to discover and acknowledge their own voices, so they can understand and make meaningful connections with the world. Located in the Broadview and Danforth area of Toronto, Montcrest School offers a challenging core curriculum through critical inquiry in a structured and nurturing environment. A dedicated faculty provides excellent instruction and individual attention in small classes. Our many outreach programs reflect the values of our Standing for Character Program: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Compassion, and Courage. Smaller classes for children with learning disabilities are offered from Grades 2 to 8. Our broad aspiration is to be recognized as the leading elementary school community in Canada at bringing out the uniqueness of each child. Discover how your child could develop and thrive at Montcrest. Please visit our website for information about Open Houses held in November 2017 and January 2018.

38 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

O NTA R I O

Olivet School

OMS Montessori

Pickering College

olivetschool.ca

omsmontessori.com

pickeringcollege.on.ca

279 Burnhamthorpe Rd., Etobicoke, ON M9B 1Z6

335 Lindsay St., Ottawa, ON K1G 0L6

16945 Bayview Ave., Newmarket, ON L3Y 4X2

Year established 1893

Grades Preschool to 5

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1966

Grades Toddler to 6

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1842

Grades JK to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8-1:12

Boarding No

Annual Fees $4,000$10,150

Teacher to Child ratio Varies

Boarding No

Annual Fees $12,247$20,388

Teacher to Child ratio Varies

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $24,840$64,205

Contact: Sandy Bradfield | (416) 239-3054 info@olivetschool.ca

Contact: Gregory Dixon | (613) 521–5185 info@omsmontessori.com

Contact: Jessie-May Rowntree | (905) 895-1700 admission@pickeringcollege.on.ca

Affiliations

Founded in 1893, Olivet School is a private elementary school focused on creating a warm, caring environment for our students through small class sizes and integrating Christian values and character development into all that we do here at the school. Our educational philosophy is seen in the way we teach: teacher to student ratios that allow for child-centered learning, enriched academics that extend beyond basic curriculum, and increased experiential learning opportunities outside school walls. Our graduates are recognized for their qualities of integrity, thoughtfulness, respect and diligence. Through generous donations from our successful alumni, our tuition remains affordable for those parents wishing to enrol their child at Olivet School. If personalized attention, a safe and supportive learning environment and the development of strong character are priorities for your child’s education, you are likely to find a home here. It’s these qualities in particular that continue to attract lifetime teachers, loyal alumni and a student population to Olivet School.

Established in 1966, OMS Montessori is a non-profit, charitable corporation accredited by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (one of only three schools in Ottawa). We serve around 300 students from 18 months to grade 12, with Francophone and English programs offered. OMS Montessori is the first Montessori school in Ottawa and we continue to be an educational leader by creating and implementing education beyond the ordinary. OMS Montessori creates multi-age learning communities that support each student as a life-long learner. Assessing progress through daily observation and guiding each student through dynamic activity, OMS Montessori enables each student to develop fully as a confident, selfdirected, responsible citizen of the world.

Pickering College is developing global citizens who are agents of courageous, ethical and positive change, true to Quaker values. The independent co-educational day and boarding school’s smaller class sizes ensure students receive individualized attention and are encouraged to pursue what they are passionate about. All students participate in the school’s trailblazing Global Leadership Program. Students learn to deeply consider the global context, assess their world, to be innovative, creative and take risks. Through individual programming, experiential learning and outdoor education, students engage in a variety of enriching opportunities. Exciting excursions near and far allow students to immerse themselves in culture. Students connect with people around the world through international volunteer service trips, student exchanges and through the school’s community of boarding students from more than 25 countries. Students can discover their potential and develop skills beyond the classroom through a variety of co-curricular activities including team sports, figure skating, equestrian, filmmaking, music and radio on the school’s own CRTC-licensed radio station. PC students have 100 per cent placement at top universities across Canada and internationally. Join us at our Open Houses: Oct. 18, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Jan. 20, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. 2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 39

O N TA RIO

Quetico College School

Somerset Academy

St. Andrew’s College

www.queticocollegeschool.com

somersetacademy.ca

sac.on.ca

1130 Hwy. 633, Box 460, Atikokan, ON P0T 1C0

7700 Brimley Rd., Unionville Markham, ON L3R 0E5

15800 Yonge St., Aurora, ON L4G 3H7

Year established 2013

Grades 9 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1974

Grades JK to 8

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1899

Grades 5 to 12

Gender Boys

Teacher to Child ratio 1:6

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $30,000

Teacher to Child ratio 1:18

Boarding No

Annual Fees $13,200

Teacher to Child ratio Varies

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $35,120$63,500

Contact: Michael Heaton | (807) 598-1600 queticocs@gmail.com

Contact: Cathy Barogianis | (905) 940-8990 principal@somersetacademy.ca

Contact: Michael Roy | (905) 727-3178, ext. 242 michael.roy@sac.on.ca

Affiliations

Quetico College School: where Deeper Learning comes naturally. Located in Northwestern Ontario on the border of Quetico Provincial Park you will discover our first class facility with personalized care to foster the growth and development so important in guiding the formidable years of young scholars. A total of 4 hours from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport, we are a lot closer than you think. A focus on cross-curricular project-based learning inspires students to think creatively as they solve problems while gaining the confidence to deliver their ideas. A wide range of athletic endeavours take advantage of our natural environment, complimented with our magnificent athletic centre and action sports park. Boarding at Quetico provides each student with single hotel-like rooms in our technologically savvy residences. Healthy meals in a Dining Hall that overlooks the pristine Eva Lake. Constant care and attention from staff committed to the Independent School world. In the summer our campus becomes the perfect family resort. Come and visit and see why Quetico is the school that you wish you’d gone to.

Founded in 1974, taking great care to provide the best education to the children of Markham, Somerset has evolved into a “small school with large school opportunity”. By giving our students the chance to participate in an accelerated academic setting, we are able to prepare them for success in high school and beyond. In conjunction with Yips Collegiate, we offer a number of credits towards your child’s high school Diploma. Somerset Academy is not about simply academics. Our students are all members of the Small Schools Athletic Federation (SSAF) in which they participate in a plethora of Varsity Sports. As well, each spring the Somerset players take to the stage to present their annual musical productions. It is through these big productions that we are able to truly see the Somerset Community in action. While Somerset Academy continues to grow, we feel that it is imperative that we stick to our roots. School must be about community, communication, and family in order to be successful. In the words of Jaime Escalante, American Educator, “We want our kids to be successful…we want them to be winners.”

St. Andrew’s has been educating young men since 1899, and true to our mission statement, we are “dedicated to developing the complete man, the well-rounded citizen.” We pride ourselves on our outstanding teachers, first-rate facilities, beautiful grounds, and programs that prepare boys to go out in the world and make a difference. As you will discover, St. Andrew’s is not an ordinary place. We strive to nurture and develop creative boys who can perform above and beyond conventional standards. As a day and boarding school comprised of 260 boarding students from 30-plus countries and approximately 370 day students, we form an international community that flourishes in its diversity. Our curriculum is designed to encourage students to become the best they can be academically, artistically, and athletically. Robust academic programming is guided by four areas of focus: boy-friendly instructional strategies, collaboration and teamwork, the development of critical-thinking skills, and the promotion of a growth mindset. Academics are balanced with a broad variety of extra-curricular activities, leadership opportunities, educational trips, and weekend programs.

40 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

O NTA R I O

St. Clement’s School

TFS – Canada’s International School

TMS School

scs.on.ca

tfs.ca

tmsschool.ca

21 St. Clements Ave., Toronto, ON M4R 1G8

306 Lawrence Ave. E., Toronto, ON M4N 1T7 1293 Meredith Ave., Mississauga, ON L5E 2E6

8569 Bayview Ave., Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3M7 500 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5G1

Year established 1901

Grades 1 to 12

Gender Girls

Year established 1962

Grades Nursery to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1961

Grades Preschool to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8

Boarding No

Annual Fees $29,175

Teacher to Child ratio Varies

Boarding No

Annual Fees $18,620– $32,020

Teacher to Child ratio Varies

Boarding No

Annual Fees $15,000$29,000

Contact: Elena Holeton | (416) 483-4414, ext. 2227 elena.holeton@scs.on.ca

Contact: Susan Markle | (416) 484 6533, ext. 4247 admissions@tfs.ca

Contact: Silvana Fazzari | (905) 889-6882, ext. 2230 admissions@tmsschool.ca

Affiliations

You want your daughter to develop sound values and character, to thrive in her school years and in life, and to be academically prepared for what comes next. It all starts right here at St. Clement’s! St. Clement’s School is a small, independent girls’ day school in midtown Toronto where each girl across Grades 1-12 is known and supported, enabling her to get the most out of our full academic and co-curricular offering. The School is committed to developing outstanding women who are intellectually curious, courageous, and compassionate. We inspire a passion for lifelong learning, we foster intellectual curiosity, and we instill the courage to take risks, leading to discovery and innovation. An overarching sense of community is a defining feature of our School. The Junior (Grades 1-6) and Upper (Grades 7-12) Schools are distinct yet interconnected communities that, together, create an exceptional school spirit. Learn more at scs.on.ca

TFS’ mission is to develop multilingual critical thinkers who celebrate difference, transcend borders and strive for the betterment of humankind. The pioneer of French immersion in Canada, TFS offers an education that is unparalleled in its excellence, preparing students for today’s global world. Bilingual and coed since 1962, TFS blends the three esteemed curricula of France, Ontario, and the full continuum of bilingual International Baccalaureate programs. We want our students to exude academic ambition, benefit from an all-round development as individuals and citizens, and view the world from an international perspective. TFS students balance rigorous science, arts and humanities programs. No prior knowledge of French is needed up to Grade 7, due to our successful Intro program. Co-curriculars include competitive sports, robotics, and a variety of arts. Students benefit from exceptional facilities, a 26-acre ravine, and a diverse, non-denominational environment. Two campuses: Toronto (age 2 to UE) and Mississauga (PK to Grade 7). Ask about our full Grade 7 entrance scholarships.

TMS creates opportunities for children to be inspired by learning through experimentation, exploration, and self-discovery. Located in Richmond Hill, our Montessori Lower School is for students 18 months to Grade 6. You hear the laughter, see the joy on students’ faces, and feel the trust parents have as they drop off their children. Our Upper School (Grades 7-12) offers the only independent International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme in York Region. On any given day, this modern campus may showcase a student art exhibit, impromptu debate or a pop-up lab for group projects. But don’t just take our word for it. Finding the right school for your child is too important. You have to visit and see and feel it for yourself. Our Montessori start and IB fi nish provide a unique framework within which your child can say I Am Known.

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 41

ON TA RIO

Toronto Waldorf School

Trafalgar Castle School

Vaughan College

torontowaldorfschool.com

trafalgarcastle.ca

vaughancollege.ca

9100 Bathurst St., Unit 1, Thornhill, ON L4J 8C7

401 Reynolds St., Whitby, ON L1N 3W9

9121 Weston Rd., Unit # 3, Woodbridge, ON L4H 0L4

Year established 1968

Grades Preschool to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1874

Grades 5 to 12

Gender Girls

Year established 2009

Grades 9 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio Varies

Boarding No

Annual Fees $3,800$20,100

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $21,995$56,950

Teacher to Child ratio 1:12

Boarding No

Annual Fees $9,500

Contact: Katie Ketchum | (905) 881-1611, ext. 314 kketchum@torontowaldorfschool.com

Contact: Martha Cassidy (Boarding), Karen Wylie (Day) (905) 668-3358 | admissions@trafalgarcastle.ca

Contact: Dhan Aiyar | (905) 265-9229 info@vaughancollege.ca

Affiliations

Founded in 1968, Toronto Waldorf School (TWS) is a private school serving children in the Greater Toronto Area from preschool to Grade 12. Our purpose is to inspire children to reach their fullest potential by giving them a sense of responsibility, freedom, and discovery. Our curriculum helps children develop habits, values, and competencies necessary to achieve their goals. Waldorf graduates are confident, good citizens who are accepted into the post-secondary programs of their choice. Toronto Waldorf School is founded on these principles of Waldorf Education: • Creativity & Innovation • Strong academics through experiential learning and arts integration • The Right Thing at the Right Time • How to Think, Not What to Think • Environmental Stewardship • Commitment to Culture and Community The Waldorf curriculum’s ability to engage young minds in a creative and practical way is a testament to its academic strength; this is why many Silicon Valley executives send their children to Waldorf schools (Toronto Star). Take a tour, see the school, feel the difference. Experience Waldorf. 60 Countries. 1000 schools.

Located in Whitby, Trafalgar Castle School is an all-girls day and boarding school inspiring students in Grades 5-12. The world has changed but our place at the forefront of girls’ education has not. As a result, for nearly 150 years, Trafalgar Castle girls have become women of impact. Our small-school advantage means we are agile enough to provide the most up-to-date learning environment and intimate enough to cultivate a strong sense of belonging. With 100% of our graduates accepted to the university of their choice, we provide exceptional academics within a warm and welcoming community, while helping to build women of strength and character. Our academic program challenges each student to know her mind, contribute ideas and question assumptions, while enriching the Ontario curriculum with internationally- acclaimed programs that draw on the best from around the world in math, science, English, music and languages. Our Castle is a place like no other, where women learn to make meaningful contributions in the life of their school and beyond. We are pleased to announce that we will be offering Grade 4 starting in September 2018.

Vaughan College (VC) is one of the most distinguished private high schools in Woodbridge, Ontario. We strive to provide an open and engaging environment, where every student has the chance to reach their full potential. Our school is dedicated to students from Woodbridge and its surrounding areas, Vaughan College (VC) is an Ontario Ministry of Education inspected private high school. The school was founded in 2009 by former teachers and Principals and was created to serve students in grades 9 to 12. In addition to the day school, we also offer high school credit courses in our night school and summer school programs. Check out our academics web page to learn more about earning high school credit courses with our school, one of Woodbridge’s excellent private schools. Our school programs encourage students to understand the challenges of the 21st century while valuing different cultures and alternative views of the world. Our aim is to develop global minds, in order to foster thirst for knowledge and lifelong learning while building their character.

42 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

O NTAR I O

Villanova College

Walden International School

The York School

villanovacollege.org

waldeninternationalschool.com

yorkschool.com

2480 15th Sideroad, King City, ON L7B1A4

1030 Queen St. W., Brampton, ON L6X 0B2

1320 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4T 1X2 1639 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4T 2W6

Year established 1999

Grades 4 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 2014

Grades JK to 6

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1965

Grades JK to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8

Boarding No

Annual Fees $18,000 $19,500

Teacher to Child ratio 1:15

Boarding No

Annual Fees $10,000$12,000

Teacher to Child ratio 1:18

Boarding offered No

Annual Fees $22,500$30,500

Contact: Kristen Figliano | (905) 833-1909 admissions@villanovacollege.ca

Contact: Justin Lee | (905) 497-8890 admissions@waldeninternationalschool.com

Contact: Praveen Muruganandan | (416) 646-5275 admission@yorkschool.com

Affiliations

Villanova College is York Region’s only independent Catholic school preparing young men and women for university and for life. Learning at Villanova is exciting, engaging and enduring. Small class sizes, the Teacher-Advisor Program, and the Guided Learning Centre allow our faculty to give students the individual attention they require to reach and exceed their potential. Individual talents are nurtured through specialty academic programs, including Advanced Placement and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) as well as extensive cocurricular programs including music, performing arts and athletics. Our Educational Technology plan includes a Windows based laptop program for grades 7-12. Located on 33 acres on the Oak Ridges Moraine, the school is situated in an idyllic setting with state of the art facilities. The academic achievements of Villanova graduates have consistently been recognized through scholarship offers and acceptance to preferred universities. Our graduates have gone on to study at the most selective programs at highly regarded universities in North America and internationally. To provide your child with a foundation for lifelong success contact our admissions office or visit our website at www.villanovacollege.org

Walden International School is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme and pursuing authorization as an IB World School. The school will continue to expand its grade offerings and plans to offer to students the full IB continuum. Inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden, the school is committed to fostering independent, self-reliant learners in a naturecentric environment. Their mandate is to model for their students the merits of subscribing to an unadorned approach to living while developing a worldly view in pursuit of academic excellence. As an international school with a globallyfocused curriculum, they promise to deliver a rigorous, prestigious and necessary educational programme meeting the standards and demands of the world in which we live. Walden’s dedication to wellness and international mindedness ensures students are well-prepared for post-secondary studies and beyond. Its current delivery of the Primary Years Programme demonstrates its ongoing commitment to nurturing young people who will mature into globally responsible citizens.

The York School offers a challenging and progressive independent school experience. Located on Yonge Street in the heart of midtown Toronto, our two campuses feature inspiring, flexible learning spaces and close proximity to the landmarks and institutions of this world-leading city. Our inquiring, knowledgeable and caring students are engaged citizens of the world well before they graduate. We integrate the vigour and richness of the International Baccalaureate curriculum with innovative technology, thinking and practice. We create a real-world, hands-on learning environment. We immerse our JK-12 students in a balanced co-educational setting that emphasizes equality, adaptability and social justice. As an urban school with a global focus, we explore Toronto’s cultural diversity, offer service learning trips around the world and foster a highly engaged international community of families and faculty. We are progressive, contemporary, international, urban & unique.

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 43

B R IT IS H COLUMBIA

Brentwood College School

Brookes Shawnigan Lake

Fraser Academy

brentwood.bc.ca

shawnigan.brookes.org

fraseracademy.ca

2735 Mount Baker Rd., Mill Bay, BC V0R 2P1

2371 Shawnigan Lake Rd., Shawnigan Lake, BC, VOR 2W5

2294 West 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6K 2H8

Year established 1923

Grades 9 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 2009

Grades 7 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1982

Grades 1 to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 1:12

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $25,700$48,800

Teacher to Child ratio 1:10

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $14,400$47,500

Teacher to Child ratio 1:3

Boarding No

Annual Fees $26,500$31,250

Contact: Mr. Clayton Johnston | (250) 743-5521 Admissions@brentwood.bc.ca

Contact: Andrea Spinner | (250) 929-0506 admissions@shawnigan.brookes.org

Contact: Brooke Ellison | (604) 736-5575 admissions@fraseracademy.ca

Affiliations

Brentwood provides a modern, West Coast learning experience for global minded students who embrace the values of grit and joy. Brentwood is a progressive, co-ed boarding school for Grades 9 to 12 located on a spectacular oceanfront campus on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Student choice is a unique part of our culture and a deciding factor in who attends the School. We believe when students truly choose to be here, and they’re surrounded by a family of like-minded friends and supporters, they can be anything. This philosophy creates a warm, friendly, and passionate community of students from over 40 countries around the world who gain the independence and skills necessary to succeed in the post-secondary world. Prospective students are drawn to our school’s innovative tripartite approach to academics, arts, and athletics; as well as our nurturing boarding environment and strong university preparatory programs. Our unique scheduling creates unrivalled opportunities for student discovery and growth. Not only is Brentwood a remarkable place to make lifelong friends while gaining a world-class education, it truly is where students choose to be.

Brookes Shawnigan Lake is host to a vibrant learning community where each student shares in a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. We aim to inspire students to become academically engaged, physically healthy, artistically sensitive, service minded, globally aware, and rich in character. A co-ed day and boarding school, Brookes offers grades 7-12 and welcomes 150 students from 15 countries for a diverse learning experience. Brookes uses the International Baccalaureate as its platform for learning. Students are supported in a caring environment and given opportunities to learn about themselves and to take action in areas in which they are passionate. We teach about global issues by connecting ideas and stories locally, and strive to use our environment as a canvas for learning and action. Graduates move forward with the tools they need to thrive in the complex world beyond high school. At Brookes, we embrace creativity, build character and foster connectivity to deliver superior educational experiences across all Brookes campus locations.

Fraser Academy is a leader in the empowerment and education of students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. Our students are bright; yet acquiring language skills can pose a challenge for them. A fully accredited, Gr 1-12 independent day school in Vancouver BC, more than 90% of our graduates go on to college and university. OUR PROGRAMMING FEATURES: • Maximum 10 students/class • Prescriptive, One-to-One Language Instruction • Personalized Programming • School-Wide Executive Function Curriculum • Firm Support Structure • Interactive Classrooms • Multisensory Learning Approach Building skills, confidence and the experience of success from day one, we support each student to engage in achieving their full potential. Through a structured, individualized and therapeutic approach to teaching and learning, over time, student performance improves to align with intellectual potential. Call Brooke Ellison, Admissions Coordinator, at (604) 736-5575 to see if Fraser Academy is a fit for your son or daughter.

44 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

B R I TI S H CO LU MBI A

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School

Mediated Learning Academy

Vancouver Waldorf School

kgms.ca and maplewoodhigh.ca

mediatedlearningacademy.ca

vws.ca

420 Seymour River Pl., North Vancouver, BC V7H 1S8

550 Thompson Ave Coquitlam, BC V3J 3Z8

2725 St. Christophers Rd., North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2B6

Year established 1974

Grades K to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 2003

Grades K to 12

Gender Co-ed

Year established 1969

Grades Pre-School to 12

Gender Co-ed

Teacher to Child ratio 2:18

Boarding No

Annual Fees $22,950$23,950

Teacher to Child ratio 1:1.5

Boarding No

Annual Fees $10,500$12,500

Teacher to Child ratio 1:8 to 1:26

Boarding Yes

Annual Fees $54,420$15,850

Contact: Dr. James Christopher | (604) 985-5224 jchristopher@kgms.ca

Contact: Ingrid Jeffrey | (604) 937-3641 info@mediatedlearningacademy.org

Contact: Karen Broom | (604) 985-7435, ext. 200 admissions @vws.ca

Affiliations

KGMS is a centre of excellence in developmentally informed instruction that empowers children with learning disabilities in a passionate, progressive and inspiring learning environment. We believe that a safe, nurturing environment is key to academic success. We believe that every child is unique and that their differences should be celebrated. We believe in an innovative approach to education that’s forward-thinking yet rooted in history. We believe that every child deserves to fit in, to feel like they’re on the inside. Above all, we believe in the potential of our students. We are committed to whole-child development, and our educational approach adapts to the individual needs and learning styles of each student. We empower our students to move past their learning obstacles so they may experience success and a sense of pride in their abilities. At KGMS, you will see dynamic and capable children who are thriving and finding joy in learning.

The Mediated Learning Academy (MLA) was founded in 2003 and has recently been designated by the Ministry of Education a Special Needs School. Students with a wide range of challenges learn together in a safe and nurturing environment. We strive to instill in each student a desire to learn. Our Mediated Learning interactions are designed to foster a sense of curiosity, to help children acquire language and understanding and to develop the thinking skills necessary to reach their personal potential. Teaching staff, speech-language and occupational therapists, physiotherapist and counsellors form a team, sharing their expertise and working towards the same child centered goals. Students come to MLA from all over the Lower Mainland. An assessment is required to determine eligibility to enter our school. Our population includes children with high anxiety, autism, specific learning disabilities, health issues, or low cognition. Each one of our students is unique and appreciated and supported in unique ways.

At the Vancouver Waldorf School, we believe education can change the world. Guided by Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy, we provide an education based on a particular understanding of individual human development that fosters imagination, responsibility and a sense of truth. Our Early Childhood programs foster healthy social and physical development in addition to laying the foundation for future creative thinking through unstructured imaginative free play. Throughout the grades, we offer a truly interdisciplinary approach, providing experiences in the natural world, fine and practical arts, music, drama and more, to cultivate a full range of capacities in each and every student. The Waldorf curriculum takes the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual (non-sectarian) needs of the students into account, addressing bodies, hearts and minds. We delay the introduction of computers and technology until High School. Our programs nurture, inspire and challenge young people to achieve their highest potential as human beings. Our graduates are socially responsible, independent thinkers able to fulfil their life tasks and contribute to world renewal.

2017 | PrivateSchoolGuide.ca | 45

GREAT Canadians A SAMPLING OF DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS WHO ARE PRIVATE/INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GRADUATES:

Jim Cuddy

Jordan Eberle

Musician, Blue Rodeo

NHL hockey player

•

Upper Canada College

Athol Murray College of Notre Dame

Stuart McLean Late humorist, author and radio host

• Lower Canada College

Chrystia Freeland

Lawren Harris late painter

•

Minister of Foreign Affairs, former journalist

St. Andrew’s College

• UWC Adriatic

Ellen Page

John Tory

Actor

Mayor of Toronto

•

Halifax Grammar School, Shambhala School

University of Toronto Schools

A founding member of the famous Group of Seven painters. His landscape paintings of the north from the 1920s and 1930s are his most well-known and celebrated works.

Julie Payette Incoming Governor General, former astronaut, engineer

UWC Atlantic

Payette is one of only two Canadian women to go to space, which she did twice. She is a Knight of l’Ordre national du Québec, officer of the Order of Canada, and will be just the fourth woman to be Governor General.

Duncan McCue Journalist

Lakefield College School

The veteran journalist and broadcaster hosts the long-running CBC Radio One program, Cross Country Checkup, and his reports appear on The National. McCue is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, where he has taught journalism. He has Anishinaabe heritage, and is a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. He is author of The Shoe Boy, a memoir.

46 | ParentsCanada Guide to Private School | 2017

Eugenie Bouchard Professional tennis player

The Study Academy

The tennis star was the first Canadian player – male or female – ranked in the top five in the world. The Olympian also became the first Canadian singles player to appear in a Grand Slam final (at Wimbledon in 2014).

PLAY HARD. LEARN WELL. TAKE ON THE WORLD! OPEN HOUSES

Junior School: Tuesday, October 17, 9–11 AM; Friday, November 17, 9–11 AM Middle & Senior School: Thursday, October 26, 7–9 PM

yorkschool.com

It All Starts Right Here.