What to consider when choosing a private school
When Tara Peters and Gunnar Johnsen were considering whether to send their children to a private school in Calgary, they had a lot of questions.
If they chose public school and the large class sizes that are often a part of that educational experience, they weren’t sure their daughter would get the attention she needed. And while Peters believed in the value of teaching religion as a subject, she wasn’t sure that Catholic school was the best route for her children. When they settled on private school, they then had to determine which of Calgary’s many institutions would be best for them.
“I didn’t go to private school, nor did my husband,” Peters says, “but we really wanted that option for our kids.”
Calgary and area has a wealth of options for parents interested in private school education for their kids. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking around for the right fit:
DOES THIS SCHOOL SPECIALIZE IN ANYTHING?
One of the first things to consider is whether the school has a specialization or focus that matches your goals for your child. What kind of academic experience are you looking for? What sort of extracurriculars are important?
“There are a lot of private schools in Calgary,” says Delta West Academy’s Amanda Dennis. “We all have different focuses and different niches. Investigate and research what’s going to be the best fit for their child.”
Webber Academy, for example, focuses primarily on academic achievement and developing future leaders, says school founder Neil Webber.
“Certainly parents are coming here because they’ve heard we’re strong academically and that’s certainly the main focus for them. Also, we inform them that we have high expectations for achievement and behaviour of their kids,” says Webber.
Delta West Academy prioritizes the development of life skills that extend beyond the classroom. At Rundle College, community involvement is paramount to a student’s success, while Rundle Academy is a designated special education program.
“I think choice paralysis is a real thing when it comes to private schools in the area,” says Jason Rogers, the headmaster at Rundle College. “I think all of them really meet a need and are excellent in their own right.”
WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE CLASS SIZES?
Peters and Johnsen opted to enrol their two children at Delta West Academy in Bridgeland. It was central, affordable and had an excellent student-to-teacher ratio.
“I didn’t know how my daughter would function in (a large classroom),
especially when she was little,” Peters says. “She’s learning confidence at Delta West because they do so many things to draw the students out of their shells.”
Small classes help the teachers, too.
“As a staff member here, small class sizes really allow me to really get to know my students,” says Dennis. “We really get to know who they are, what their strengths are, and how they learn. We can take the basis of the curriculum and we can enhance it so much more.”
WHAT ELEMENTS OF STUDENT LIFE SET THIS SCHOOL APART?
Find out what will keep your child busy and engaged outside of class.
Webber Academy is well known for the academic achievement of its students, but the school also offers a vast array of extracurriculars to further a child’s development, says school founder Neil Webber.
Oftentimes parents aren’t aware of all the activities that go on at the school, says Webber.
From science fairs to Model UN, Webber students have multiple opportunities to expand their knowledge outside the classroom.
Over at Delta West, students take food studies classes, and the Delta West Academy Foundation fundraises to offer activities such as swimming lessons and ski trips during the year.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Private school isn’t cheap, but it might be more attainable than some parents think.
For Peters and Johnsen, once they realized how much money they would be spending on things like childcare, swimming lessons and other extracurriculars, the tuition at Delta West started to seem more reasonable.
“When you look at it from a sheer cost perspective, all of a sudden it doesn’t seem like so much,” she says.
However, there is a large scale of pricing in the world of private schools — not every school will cost the same.
HOW WILL YOUR CHILD FIT IN?
Every school is unique, and so is your child. Rogers recommends shortlisting five schools and then doing tours of each facility.
“Trust your parent instinct,” he advises. “Make sure you have the opportunity to get into classrooms and have an unscripted dialogue with students in the school. As a parent you know your child better than anybody. Let that knowledge of your child’s passions and purpose inform your decision.”