Life with Kids

With fewer kids and a better understanding of the educational system, parents today know exactly the kind of education they want for their child, and private schools are becoming an accessible, affordable, and popular option. Offering much more than tradition, prestige or religious instruction, qualities which were highly valued in the past, they’re catering to modern parents who are more concerned about finding a particular educational approach that suits their child. So as kids head back to school, it’s Private School 101 for families curious about alternative education options with Our Kids Media as their guide.

Debunking Myths about private school
By Caroline Maga

• Only rich kids go to private schools:

The elitist image of private schools is far from reality—students come from all across the economic spectrum. According to Statistics Canada, in 2001, 29 per cent of children in private school were from families with incomes below $50,000, while 26 per cent came from families with incomes at least double that. Most private school families, however, describe themselves as middle class. And with recent advancements in financial aid through bursaries, scholarships, charity grants and payment plans, private school is even more accessible than ever to children of all economic backgrounds.

• Only A-plus students go to private schools:

While some schools place an emphasis on grades when accepting applicants, not all look for the same qualities in potential students. Some schools look for certain personality traits; others seek out children with proficient sports or arts talents. In any case, administrators can recognize whether or not their school is a right fit for your child and their decision will be based on that more often than on grades.

• Private schools lack diversity:

Creating a diverse student population has been part of the mission statement of many schools for decades in order to produce graduates who understand the world around them. Boarding and international schools attract students from all continents and offer them opportunities to learn and experience different cultures. At private schools, parents are likely to find students of all religious, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Specialized religious and language schools also exist for a more custom-tailored education.

• All private schools are alike:

At a first glance, private and independent schools advertise similar features such as small class sizes, passionate teachers and first-rate extracurricular activities. However, each school offers students a unique approach to learning and teaching. Each school also creates its own one-of-a-kind atmosphere, depending on the structure of the school and its environment. Parents now have many choices: boarding or day, religious or secular, coed or single-sex, academic or specialized and traditional or alternative.

The benefits of private school

By Caroline Maga

To teach their children the necessary skills for an ever-changing world, many parents are choosing private school education. With options ranging from boarding schools to modern alternative curricula, there is almost certainly a school to suit each and every child. Here are reasons why parents are choosing to give their children the unique experience of private school and why it’s worth the financial investment.

Enriched Academic Opportunities

Private schools are known for providing students with exceptional and challenging educational experiences through extracurricular activities, Advanced Placement courses, and the International Baccalaureate programme, just to name a few. “The IB programme focuses on school work and on developing you as a whole person,” explains Myriam Choma, a Grade 12 student at Ashbury College, “I didn’t find that in any of my other schools.” Private school students constantly score top marks on standardized tests and college entrance exams, and many schools have a 100 per cent rate of students attending their university of choice.

A comprehensive study on class size made by educational researchers Bruce Biddler and David Berliner in 2002 showed that the smaller the class size, the better the average student performs on academic achievement tests. Eric Vosko reflects on his experience as a student at The Rosedale Day School, “It was weird for me because the school was so small. It was the right decision for sure, it has been a great school.” And the gains from smaller class sizes are stronger the longer a child is exposed to them. Private schools vary greatly in size, but depending on their teaching style, almost all focus on the importance of small class sizes to individually help students’ weak areas and advance their strengths.

Private schools are built around open communication between parents and administration, and they make it a priority to involve parents in the community. From frequent parent-teacher meetings, social events such as parent breakfasts and family camping weekends, and the participation of parent committees in fundraising initiatives, families become an integral part of the child’s education. This common ground also helps strengthen parent-child relationships.

Dedicated Teachers

In a study completed by the Fraser Institute in 2007, 91 per cent of parents surveyed said the dedication of the teachers was their main reason for choosing private school. Instructors are both qualified and passionate about their subjects, often holding advanced degrees in their field. Within the tight-knit school community, students have close relationships with their teachers who commonly act as role models. “That involves most of my life,” says Blake Gage about teaching, coaching basketball and being a house parent to 50 boarders at Brentwood College School. In addition, small class sizes make staff members more readily available for extra help or to further challenge individual students.

Private schools have reputations for maintaining high standards for discipline and respect. Lower staff-to-student ratios allow for more effective observation and control of school grounds. The strong sense of community found in private schools also discourages dangerous behaviour. In the Fraser Institute study, around 72 per cent of parents surveyed with children in the private school system strongly agreed that their school was safe, which greatly improves the quality of the child’s educational experience and achievement. The discipline they learn also improves their rates for success in post-secondary education when they are in control of their class attendance and achievement.

Community Environment

62 per cent of parents, surveyed by the Fraser Institute, with children in the private school system believe their school’s environment is motivating, supportive and nurturing. Taranvir Sandhu, a Grade 10 student at MPS Etobicoke, says “I made friends right away,” he says. “I really like how it’s a big family here.” Former students repeatedly report that the friendships they formed in private school have lasted post-graduation. A strong sense of pride is often instilled in private school alumni, creating rich networking opportunities upon entering the workforce.

Extracurricular Activities

While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts or clubs. This involvement helps stimulate students in their studies, as noted in a study at Stanford University that found that students involved in the arts are more motivated to learn and are three times more likely to win a school attendance award. Grant MacDonald, whose two daughters attend Newbridge Academy, says that sport “has become part of their daily life. It has made them more focused. They’re both doing very well academically.” Extracurricular activities can provide a much-needed break from the stresses of academics while developing skills and engaging in valuable social situations.

Customized Learning for Each Student

Private schools go beyond offering the mandatory subjects required by provincial curriculum, they can offer students a wide range of specializations including arts programs, athletics, math, science and even programs which address special needs such as behaviour problems or learning disabilities. “This school really helps you focus and think about your future, and how you want your life to be,” says Nisha Sharma, a Grade 12 student last year at Pinehurst School.

Shared Educational Philosophy

There are innumerable approaches to education, and finding a school that matches one’s own perspective can create a positive, productive academic experience for your child. Whether you prefer the student-directed learning method of Montessori, or the arts-based curriculum of a Waldorf school, choosing the right private school will not only allow students to thrive in a supportive environment and build independence, but also gain unique skills that fit their learning style. Parent Erin Craig states of her experience, “Montessori seems to be able to individualize the focus so it pulls out of them what it needs too.”

Types of Schools

By Heather Greenwood Davis

Girls Only

In an all-girls school, there is one less variable in teaching. “Research shows that girls really like a more communicative, collaborative approach to learning,” says Elizabeth Falco, head of school at The Study, in Westmount, Quebec. “As a teacher in an all-girls classroom, you can cater to that.” Confidence often blooms as a result.

“Girls change when boys are out of the picture and opportunities that might not have existed in a coed environment are suddenly available. Possibilities seem infinite. There are no limits in their imagination about what they can do.”

At Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, Ontario, Amy, 18, agrees. There, most of the teachers and all of the students are female. “You can be more yourself instead of trying to impress the boys. You can take chances. You can try anything and not be afraid.”

Boys Only

Alex, who recently completed Grade 7, will quickly tell you what impressed him the most about his experience at an all-boys school: the teachers. “They’re just really nice and they focus on you. You feel like they really care,” says Alex.

“Boys often have a different learning style than girls,” says Tom Stevens, director of admissions at Royal St. George’s College (RSGC), in Toronto. “You can tell a young boy to sit and read a passage and write about it, but most boys would rather talk about a story and act it out.”

RSGC adapts its curriculum and teaching methods to best suit the learning style of boys, Tom explains. For example, in his Grade 10 enriched math class, he often has small groups figuring out a problem together at the blackboard, rather than sitting at their desks and tackling it alone. “They’re standing up and can move and, at the same time, they can get positive feedback from their fellow students, and I can clearly see how they’re doing,” Tom says.

Core courses like math, language and sciences are held in the morning, music classes are held every day and phys-ed every other day. “The school day is structured to take into account the activity level of most boys,” says Tom. — Maureen Murray

Boarding

Of her favourite things about boarding, “one of the best is living with my friends,” says Caitlin, 16. The experience at Toronto’s Havergal College has changed her.

“At first I was really homesick, but now I’m so glad with my decision. I’ve learned about myself. I’ve grown as a person; I’m more independent and outgoing. I’ve learned to take risks.”

She recently returned from a six-week exchange to Tasmania, and next year she’ll be a junior don in residence—a leadership role in the dorm that is home to girls from Germany, Russia, Korea, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Mexico, Spain and Quebec. Caitlin is looking forward to helping them adjust as well as she has. It helps, she says, that there is so much to do.

Tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and a new fitness centre make evening and weekends fun. “Whatever interests you, you can do. I’m so glad I came here.”

Arts

When Emily, 12, came to Armbrae Academy a year ago she had never even held a tenor saxophone. Jeff Goodspeed, a world-renowned musician and a teacher at this Halifax, Nova Scotia school, turned her into the budding musician she is today.

“I didn’t really even know how to put it together,” she recalls. “He’s amazing. I think if I’d started off with somebody that was less experienced, it might’ve been harder.”

She’s benefiting from the school’s commitment to having teachers on the faculty who have life experience.

It’s why a theatre troupe is living in residence at the school, teaching the drama program and public speaking. And why Jeff is running the senior band. For Emily, it has turned an interest in music, into a source of pride.

Sports

Mitchell, 13, loves playing hockey and rugby. “He isn’t a natural athlete. Everything he does, he has to work hard for. But he plays with heart,” his father Julian Shiell says.

But Mitchell wasn’t passionate about school until he went to Premiere Elite Athletes’ Collegiate (PEAC) in Thornhill, Ontario last September.

“Mitchell was excited to spend part of the school day training with a professional hockey coach. His athletic skills greatly improved.” More impressively, for Julian, the school helped Mitchell academically.  “He works hard now and his grades have gone up from the 50s to the 70s and 80s,” Julian says.  “He’s supported in the sport he loves and also encouraged to buckle down academically.” — Maureen Murray

Gifted

“I felt bored, and I was getting in trouble a lot of the time. I didn’t fit in and I didn’t have a lot of friends,” says Jamie, 11. At Choice School for Gifted Children, in Richmond, British Columbia, that has all changed.

“When we get kids who have behaviours that are inappropriate, we certainly don’t allow those behaviours but we understand where they’re coming from,” teacher Karen Noel-Bentley explains. Teachers redirect energies into “Choice Challenges” and “Passion Projects” that allow the kids to pursue their own interests during the school week, whether it be dinosaurs, insects or The Chronicles of Narnia.

“It challenges me in a way that makes me want to do it,” says Jamie. “Everyone accepts you because you’re like everybody. In Choice, everyone’s like you.”

Special Needs

Last Christmas was a watershed moment for 10-year-old Dean. After four years of trying, he learned to tell time. “I had been trying to teach him since he was six. It was an incredible moment when it finally clicked for him,” says Dean’s mother Tracey Van Herpe.

Many things that had frustrated Dean for years started to fall into place after he began attending Arrowsmith School in Toronto. Dean has dyslexia, and reading and writing had been a torturous process since he started school. “Homework took him hours. It was a really emotional time for us. He just wasn’t learning in a traditional setting,” Tracey says.

So the mother of three, from London, Ontario, took the dramatic step of moving to Toronto with Dean so he could attend Arrowsmith, which focuses on students with learning disabilities. “Arrowsmith’s program isolated Dean’s areas of weakness and focused on them intensively. They did testing constantly and they provided monthly reports,” Tracey says. By the end of his first year, Dean had progressed so much he earned the school’s Principal Award. “I almost cried. He has just excelled. He is a completely different child.”

Languages

His native language is Afrikaans, his common tongue is English and Jan is excelling in a host of other languages at Mulgrave School, in West Vancouver.

“I started in Grade 3, learning French. I learned Latin in Grade 7,” the Grade 9 student says. Looking for an even greater challenge, he signed up for Mandarin last year. “My dad said it was going to be the business language of the future. It’s hard to get used to because it’s very different from French or English, but once you learn the grammar, it’s pretty easy.”

Faith

Perhaps unfashionably in a secular age, Villanova College, an Augustinian Catholic school in King City, just outside Toronto, nails its beliefs to the mast. “Be it known to all who enter here,” says the inscription over the front door, “that Christ is the reason for this school.”

Students dutifully stand when teacher Sean Hayes takes a visitor to his classroom, which features photographs of AIDs-affected African children whom the school helps support.

The atmosphere though is anything but stern. “It’s never boring!” declares Emily, 13. Academically, “I find it challenging. I look forward to coming to school. It’s like my second home, like a big family—with Christian values.”

The many activities—Emily is on the volleyball, soccer, basketball and swim teams—were a big attraction, but she is also looking forward to going to Italy and elsewhere with the school. The enthusiasm is catching: Her younger sister, Natalie plans to attend. — Frank Jones

By Maureen Murray

Searching for the right school is not a sprint; it’s a marathon, requiring committed preparation. Luckily, parents are not alone. Follow this guide, step by step. And if the road gets rocky, keep your eye on the finish line—your child’s future.

1. On your mark…

Parental prep time

While finding the right house is all about location, location, location, when it comes to private schools, the motto is fit, fit, fit.  There is no one-size-fits-all approach. What makes a school perfect for your neighbour’s child doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice for yours. Your family’s circumstances, the individual strengths and needs of your child, your education philosophy and vision will all contribute to your choice of schools.

Private and independent schools are numerous and diverse. There are schools with excellent academic and athletic programs. Some schools follow a distinct education philosophy, such as Montessori, or serve a particular religious community. There are arts-based schools, all-boys schools, boarding schools…and the list goes on.

So before you start flipping through attractive brochures or browsing websites, take the time to consider, as a family, what it is you are looking for in a school and why.

Top considerations

• Your child’s personality, learning style and academic ability.
• Your family’s values, goals and priorities.
• Your budget for education spending.
• How far you are willing to let your child travel each day and commuting distance to and from school.
• Your absolute must-haves, such as small class sizes or specific athletic facilities.
• Coed or same sex, boarding and/or day school preferences.
• Program duration: Are you looking for a school with an elementary and a high school program, where your child can stay for many years?

Carefully consider and write down your basic must-haves in one column of a page. In a second column, add your wish list—the points that are not essential, but would be a bonus to find.  Schools with an outstanding music program, a technological
focus or strong outdoor education component are all out there. It’s up to you to
determine and rank your priorities.

Keep your list and refer back to it throughout the search process. Remember,
the bells and whistles may be nice to have, but don’t lose sight of your priorities. Keep these in mind and they will guide you to the right fit.

2. Get ready…

Private (school) investigator

This can’t be said enough: Do your homework.  Having a good base of information and knowledge about the private school landscape will help you make a choice that is right for you and your child. Remember to involve your child in the school search process as much as you can.

Tips

• Start your search early. A year in advance is not too soon.
• Make good use of the Internet; most schools have websites where the information you are looking for is quickly accessible.
• Contact a number of schools directly and ask them to mail out an information package.
• Attend open houses and private school fairs—they’re usually scheduled several times a year.
• For a list of school open house dates and for quick links to more than 200 school websites, visit ourkids.net.

Now that you’ve gathered some information, it’s time to make good use of it to help you find the best fit for your child.

3. Get set…

See to believe

Most schools readily welcome visiting parents, so pick up the telephone and arrange a tour. A first-hand look is essential to get a personal sense of whether it’s a place you can see sending your child. But don’t rely on your first impression—plan more than one visit. Return with your child if you like what you see. Remember to ask a lot of questions; admissions officers anticipate and welcome them. And it’s a good idea to bring a written checklist along with you.

School visit checklist 

Don’t forget to ask about:

• The school’s philosophy and vision, and how it is achieved on a day-to-day basis.
• The school’s method of communicating with families.
• Teacher qualifications and the type of professional development offered to them.
• The school’s curriculum. Does it follow, meet or exceed the provincial Ministry of Education guidelines?
• Where the school’s students go after graduation.
• Admission requirements, such as entrance tests. (If there is a test, what type is administered, and how much emphasis does the school place on test results?)
• The type of student that the school is looking for.
• The ways that the school measures individual achievement and progress.
• The school’s typical response to a child who is not meeting academic expectations or who has gaps in his or her knowledge.
• Student-to-teacher ratio and maximum class size.
• Tuition fees and what they include. Are there additional fees and other expenses such as uniforms, books, technology fees and extracurricular activities?

For a printable version of this checklist, visit http://www.ourkids.net/pdfs/school/QuestionsAsk.pdf

• Names and numbers of parents whose children are currently at the school or alumni, whom you can contact as references.
• An opportunity to speak with the principal and teachers; don’t limit yourself to just meeting the admissions officer.
• A chance for your child to interact with students.
• A chance to observe a class or other school activities.
• Information about bursaries or other financial support that may be available.

4. GO!

The application situation

You now have your first-hand knowledge. Narrow down your choices, using your priority list as a guide. It’s time to apply to schools of your choice. It’s best not to limit yourself to submitting an application to just one “perfect” school. Chances are there are a number of schools that could be an appropriate fit for your child.

Points to remember

• Submit applications early; some schools complete their enrolment by early spring.
• Some schools have set entrance years.
• Depending on your child’s age and the school, an entrance exam may be required.
• Don’t pin all your own or your child’s hopes on one particular school.
• Be clear about what you are looking for. If the school assigns two hours of homework each night, this practice is not likely to change once your child is there.
• Extracurricular activities are an important component of many schools. Consider how those offered by a particular school fits with your child’s interests.

What schools are looking for

• An appropriate fit for your child and your family.
• A clear sense of your child’s strengths and challenges.
• A family’s full understanding of the school’s philosophy, vision and expectations at the outset.

5. Final stretch:

The waiting game

The finish line is in sight. You’ve submitted your applications and are waiting to be notified about acceptance. Still, there are a few points that every parent should keep in mind:

Words of wisdom

• There is likely more than one school at which your child would succeed and prosper. Don’t be overly disappointed if your child does not gain admission to one particular school.
• Don’t be crushed by less-than-stellar entrance exam results. Most schools will consider more than just test scores.
• Share pertinent information with the school. The goal is to ensure your child’s needs are well accommodated.

Once you have accepted a school, have confidence in your choice. Make the most of the fact that your family is now part of a unique school environment. You have succeeded in making one of the most important decisions in your child’s life and an investment in his or her future. That alone is worth more than a gold medal victory!

Doing the math

By Michael Keerma

With tuition ranging from $5,000 to $65,000, cost is a key factor for many families considering private school education. Provincial governments in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec provide some funding to private schools, but the bulk of cost is paid by parents. Still, some 45 per cent of private school students come from middle-income families. And enrollment has increased 35 per cent over the past decade as parents respond to the flexibility and diversity offered by some 1,700 independent schools in Canada.

Today, a growing pool of resources can help parents meet the challenge of financing their child’s private school education.

Your family is your primary and most important source of funds. Robyn Thompson, a senior financial planner with R.N. Croft Financial Group Inc. of Thornhill, Ontario, advises families to consider these key issues:

• Investments: Make full use of discretionary investment funds to maximize ongoing savings. Open Tax-Free Savings Accounts as income earned and withdrawn are free of tax and may be used for any purpose.

• Family support: Grandparents, aunts and uncles are often a source for education funding. Certain tax rules may apply, however. (See page 78 on strategies for minimizing taxes.)

• Personal loans: Your financial institution may lend you money for private school tuition, depending on your financial circumstances and other factors. Thompson says families considering this step should seek independent financial advice first, as this may represent a considerable debt burden.

• Charities: Churches, community service organizations and other charitable foundations may be a source of funding for lower-income families. School Choice Trust, for example, is a privately funded organization that provides 50 per cent of tuition to a maximum payout of $4,000 to families in financial need.

School-based resources

Canada’s independent schools may target up to 20 per cent of their student population for financial assistance, says William Mitchell, Executive Director (Interim) of the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). Typically, three types of financial assistance may be offered, depending on the school:

• Bursaries, the most widely used form of financial assistance, are needs-based, non-repayable grants offered to qualifying families. The amount of the bursary depends on the school. Many schools also offer sibling bursaries or discounts for families with more than one child enrolled in the school.

• Installment payment plans, usually monthly, help spread payments over the year. Ask the school’s financial officer for more information or check the school’s website. ‘

Tax tactics

Although no direct tax relief is available for private school tuition, several indirect measures are available, including deductions, credits and tax-minimizing strategies. For instance, scholarships and bursaries offered by private schools are tax-exempt.

Samantha Prasad, a tax specialist and partner with the Toronto law firm Minden Gross LLP, says the general rule is that private school tuition for elementary and secondary school students is not tax deductible. However, she says, a portion of private school fees that relate to child care services for students under age 16 may be deductible as a child care expense. The deduction amount is based on that portion of the day that involves supervision and is not related to academic instruction, such as lunchtime supervision, she says.

“It may be possible to claim a charitable donation tax credit for all or a portion of the fees paid to a private school that exclusively teaches religion or where the private school provides both academic and religious education.” If the school is registered as a charity, the tax benefit of a charitable donation can be significant, depending on the province of residence. For example, the combined federal/provincial tax credit is 50 per cent in Alberta. Check with your prospective school to see whether fees are segregated and if tax receipts are issued for these purposes.

It may also be possible to claim the tuition fees as a medical expense tax credit, provided that a doctor certifies in writing that the facilities, equipment or personnel of the private school are required due to the student’s mental or physical needs.

Often, grandparents or relatives wishing to contribute to a child’s private school tuition will make an outright gift of cash. In Canada, there is no “gift tax,” and so the amount will not have to be included in the recipient’s income. However, under so-called “attribution rules,” any income earned from that gift will be attributed back to the donor for tax purposes.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. Alan Rowell, a tax specialist at The Accounting Place in Stoney Creek, Ontario, says that capital gains realized on property transferred to children under 18 are not attributable back to the source. So large gifts of capital property to a minor may, for example, be invested in the student’s name in a “corporate-class” type of investment (usually mutual funds), where any disposition of units is treated as a capital gain, and is thus taxed at the student’s lower rate. Certain kinds of trust arrangements may also mitigate the effects of attribution rules, but these require expert legal and financial help.