Are you currently relocating, and looking for a suitable private day school in Canada for your kids? Luckily for you, there is no shortage of options. But sometimes, families find themselves spoiled for choice, and selecting the right school becomes difficult.
As you balance your needs and capabilities, you need to ask some important questions. And if you don’t know where to begin, we’ve put together a list to help make the process easier. Let’s start with the most important one.
How Are the Academic Standards?
Regarding educational prospects, asking about the curriculum used by the school and its implementation matters. For example, standardized testing is a key concern for many parents. While they certainly have their place in a school system, studies show they aren’t always the best option.
Luckily, with private day schools in Canada, parents can look forward to superior teaching and testing methods.
Can the School Support My Child?
Aside from academic responsibilities, schools should help students with general, unique, or special needs fit in. Parents should prefer day schools that can fulfill these needs to the best of their ability.
The school environment definitely makes a difference. Your child will spend a lot of time at school. So, you want to ensure that they’re being exposed to a suitable culture. This means that they’ll not only be physically safe but also emotionally secure and supported by their teachers and peers.
To guarantee these things, it might help parents investigate a school’s teacher-to-student ratio. The smaller the class size per teacher, the more likely their child will get the required attention. This isn’t always easy to confirm, but it can be worth looking into when hunting for options.
Is The Curriculum Up To The Task?
A school’s job isn’t just to make children comfortable, but to engage them and prepare them for the future. That requires a curriculum that encourages them academically and practically. This is important for them to get ahead in life.
A challenging curriculum means that students will be learning more than just language and math. They should also learn how things work and how to solve problems on their own through critical thinking skills.
Are There Any Extracurricular Activities?
Along with the right curriculum, students also need extra-curricular programs to thrive in school. Schools that have a chess club, debate team, organized sports, and other events should be ideal.
These activities boost your child’s communication, while also giving them a chance at artistic expression and to explore hobbies.
Is the Location Convenient?
Now that we’ve talked about the general stuff, let’s discuss specifics. And we’ll start with this practical question. Parents understandably prefer schools that are closer to home, so they can conveniently drop off and pick up their children.
When considering location, you must also take daily traffic patterns into account. Sometimes, traffic gets backed up at a certain point during rush hour or school dismissal time.
So, to be safe, look into how long it may affect your commute. If that doesn’t work, you may look for private schools that offer transportation services.
How much will it cost?
This is another key practical question. Private schools are among the more expensive academic institutes. For many parents, however, the fee structures might be worth it if it promises learning for their little ones.
Still, the enrollment and tuition packages can still be daunting. Luckily, many private day schools offer financial aid, scholarships and other financial assistance to help make their costs more manageable.
Make the Right Choice for Your Children
Choosing a private day school in Canada is not just about education. You must think about your child’s overall experience. The most important factor to consider is your child’s happiness and well-being, academically and otherwise.
And although families are bound to encounter some difficulties from time to time, these should not overshadow the bigger picture. If your child is happy in their new school, then you should be happy too.