Independent Learning

Your child’s education is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Now more than ever, families are choosing to entrust their children’s schooling to independent institutions. Lifestyle explores some of the benefits of sending your young scholars to study privately.

In the Family
Independent schools offer classes to children as young as three years old to seniors exiting in Grade 12. Students grow up in an institutional “family,” which allows them to feel comfortable and develop lifelong friendships with their peers and educators. It’s no surprise that most junior students continue into the senior programs at their respective schools.

Along with the familiarity and continuity this provides, younger students are able to observe and take examples from the senior students on campus before stepping into leadership roles themselves as they grow older.

Uniformed Mornings
More often than not a private educational institution requires its students wear a uniform. This uniform usually consists of a kilt, blouse, tie and blazer, with male students wearing co-ordinating pants and dress shirts. There is more to this traditional clothing than how adorable they render the three-year-old pre-kindergarten student, however. Uniforms contribute to the sense of community on campus and dramatically reduce the time required to prepare for school in the morning.

An Accelerated Education
While adhering to the curricular requirements of the province they are located in, private institutions have the added advantage of being able to offer additional programs of study. These additional classes are invaluable in post-secondary education preparation, particularly the advanced placement (AP) classes that offer students the opportunity to take a university-level course in their senior year of high school.

Other accelerated programs include the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, which prepares senior students for university by exposing them to six rigorous classes, an extended essay and a year-long course dedicated to the theory of knowledge.

These enhanced academic programs allow independent school students a smoother transition into their post-secondary education. In addition, as most universities recognize both IB and AP courses as university first-year credits, students can enjoy an accelerated education from as early as their entry years. 

Fluent in Success
The addition of a second or third language to your child’s standard education program provides them with the opportunity to shine in future career situations. Many private schools offer more intensive language programs than the standard introductory courses offered in the provincial programs.

The Calgary French and International School, for example, practices “maximum immersion” to guarantee their graduates are completely fluent in both English and French by the time they reach their final years (though it is often far earlier).

The International
Classroom         
Many private schools offer exchange programs that allow students to immerse themselves completely in their languages and cultures of study. Programs range in duration and proximity to offer younger students the opportunity to take a short, national trip, and older students a semester-long adventure abroad.

Students are also encouraged to take part in international service projects and conferences. International service projects and conferences, such as the Round Square Conference and Habitat for Humanity, offer students the unique opportunity to meet with young men and women from across the globe to discuss critical issues. On international service trips, students can participate in such significant activities as building homes, classrooms and schools.

Living and Learning
Boarding schools offer a complete range of student life outside of the classroom, including sports, extracurriculars and social activities. This opportunity to be completely immersed in secondary education encourages students to be actively involved in their community and to develop strong relationships with their teachers and mentors.

Boarding students are most often paired with another student in a dorm-room setting. Many schools make an effort to pair local boarders with international boarders, or international boarders with international boarders from different countries. This turns the student’s bedroom itself into a classroom, where roommates can learn each other’s languages and explore the diverse aspects of their unique cultures.

Individual Attention
Independent schools tend to have smaller class sizes than their public counterparts, guaranteeing a higher level of attention dedicated to each child.

Class sizes of private schools tend to range from 10 to 15 students, roughly half the size of the 20- to 30-student classes one encounters in public institutions. This student-teacher ratio is also beneficial in terms of discipline. Smaller class sizes allow for order and organization in the classroom, and as classes run smoother, students enjoy higher levels of efficiency without the distraction of disciplinary corrections.  Furthermore, smaller classes are often broken down into smaller groups that cater to several different learning speeds.

In addition to the smaller class sizes, many private schools are able to offer students an advisor — a member of the staff who keeps parents updated on the student’s progress and acts as a mentor for the student in times of need. Regular updates home to parents also ensure that there are no surprises come report-card time.

Sponsored Scholars
Of the dozen schools Lifestyle contacted, all boasted a minimum of 99% university acceptance, with a significant majority of students being granted admission to their first-choice programs and institutions. This is largely owing to the recognition that comes with the name of an established independent institution, as well as to the university counseling programs set up for senior students. These counselors offer students the opportunity to explore all of their program and scholarship opportunities. As a result, private school students are more likely to be granted bursaries towards their university education.•

PULL QUOTE
Of the dozen schools Lifestyle contacted, all boasted a minimum of 99% university acceptance, with a significant majority of students being granted admission to their first-choice programs and institutions.

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