Expo helps in choosing private school
With so many private schools to choose from near Calgary and across Canada, picking the right one can be hair-pulling.
Some, like Grade 10 student Taylor Fewer, come with a firm idea of what they want. Her family recently relocated to Okotoks from Grande Prairie so she could attend Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School — a decision driven by Fewer herself.
“You’re going to be very pressed to find a public school that offers the kind of student exchanges, trips, speech teams and putting an emphasis on everyone participating,” says Fewer, who chose StrathconaTweedsmuir School because she wanted a school that offered programs such as International Baccalaureate and Model United Nations.
“Google was my resource,” Fewer says of her search. “I wanted a wellrounded school … not just a sports private school, or a science private school.”
A new resource to help parents and students choose a private school arrives Sept. 30 with the first Calgary edition of Private School Expos.
Organized by Our Kids Media, the expo offers a chance to meet one-on-one with representatives of schools from across Canada.
“We’ve seen an increase of parents looking for resources,” says Our Kids communications specialist Erin McLaughlin. “They’re thinking about what their child needs — not just the best-ranked school; it comes down to what’s best for their child.”
McLaughlin says the stereotype of private schools being a rich-family thing doesn’t exist.
“The majority of private school students come from middle-class families,” she says. “We’ve seen an increase in people who simply want to make the best choice for their children’s education.”
And that means parents — and their kids — have to do research to find the right fit.
“There are so many choices for parents in terms of independent schools, religious affiliations … if you’re looking for a particular school, you have to do your homework,” says David Hauk, headmaster/superintendent for Rundle College Society, one of the expo exhibitors.
“And how do (parents) do their homework? They have to attend open houses.”
Although web searches are a key tool, nothing replaces the ability to ask questions in person, says Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School director of admissions Bruce Mutch (STS is also participating in the expo).
“Representatives will be able to share what makes their school unique,” he says. “I’m always impressed when parents come in with a few questions written out and ready to ask. The big thing is we want to set kids up to succeed and take full advantage in everything we have to offer.”
Coming armed with questions — such as queries about financial aid, and what makes School A different from School B — is key to getting the most out of the expo, adds McLaughlin.
And it’s never too early to start researching.
“A lot of schools go from K-8. We invite families to come out, not just parents,” McLaughlin says.
When: Sept. 30. Information seminars start at 10:30 a.m. Exhibit hall open from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Hyatt Regency, 700 Centre St. S.E.
Cost: $20, families who register online get a 50 per cent discount.
Website: www. schoolexpo.ca