HORIZON ACADEMY 3800 WESBROOK MALL,UBC 604-365-5188 PRIVATE SCHOOLS VANCOUVER PAGE 4 APPLYING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS PRIVATE SCHOOLS INTRODUCTION Recent studies estimate that there are about tion, size, tuition, extra-curricular programs, 1,700 private schools in Canada and close to and campus environment. Families may want “THERE ARE 100 private schools in the Greater Vancouver to consider single-gender vs. co-ed schools and ABOUT 1,700 Regional District alone. For parents trying to the possibility of boarding programs. There are PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN find the best fit for their children, the sheer many different types of private schools, from CANADA, AND number and variety of options present can be traditional boarding and day schools to French CLOSE TO 100 daunting. Immersion schools, Montessori schools, Spe- IN THE GVRD cial Needs schools, and schools with specific ALONE” Families searching for the best match should religious affiliations. This booklet will intro- take into account not only the school’s aca- duce families to the various types of private demic reputation, but also its type or affilia- schools available. PRIVATE VS. INDEPENDENT? The term “private school” is an umbrella term dependent schools that combines the for- for any school that charges tuition fees and is mer Canadian Association of Independent operated by individuals and groups outside of Schools and the Canadian Educational “THE TERM Standards Institute ‘INDEPENDENT’ the public education system. Many private CLASSIFIES A schools are for-profit organizations. The Round Square, a worldwide associa- NON-PROFIT PRIVATE The term “independent” classifies a private tion of more than 70 schools in Canada SCHOOL” school that is run as a non-profit organization and abroad with a curriculum emphasis on and is often overseen by a board of trustees. In community service and exchange pro- many provinces, independent schools receive a grams certain amount of public funding and are ac- credited either by a government body or an The Canadian Council of Montessori Ad- affiliated organization. Accreditation provides a ministrators (CCMA), an organization of third-party reference that the school meets Montessori schools across Canada certain standards. The Association of Christian Schools Inter- Some accreditation organizations for independ- national (ACSI), an accrediting organiza- ent and private schools include: tion for Christian schools in Canada, the US, and abroad The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), an organization serving boarding The Independent Schools Association of schools in the US, Canada, and abroad British Columbia (ISABC) and Catholic Independent Schools (CIS), two organiza- Standards in Excellence and Learning Can- tions serving independent schools in Brit- ada (SEAL), a national organization of in- ish Columbia 2011 PAGE 5 SINGLE-GENDER SCHOOLS Many private schools offer the opportunity for ship roles. Some all-girls schools in the Greater TOP ALL-GIRLS students to learn in a single-gender environ- Vancouver Regional District include Crofton SCHOOLS IN THE ment. All-girls and all-boys schools design their House School, York House School, Queen GVRD curricula to meet the specific learning needs Margaret’s School, and St. Margaret’s School. Crofton House School and different learning styles of growing girls and boys. Students are able to learn in an en- The International Boys’ School Coalition York House School couraging environment without the distraction (IBSC) is an international organization of all- of the opposite sex. boys schools. IBSC advocates programs that cater to the specific developmental needs of The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools boys, who may mature later when compared to (NCGS) is an organization of all-girls schools in their female peers. All-boys schools offer aca- TOP ALL-BOYS Canada, the US, and abroad. NCGS holds its demic curricula tailored to boys’ learning SCHOOLS IN THE member schools to a high standard in develop- styles, often with strong extracurricular, ath- GVRD ing curricula that address the specific learning letic, and leadership opportunities. Some all- styles of girls— which, the organization ar- boys schools in the GVRD include St. George’s St. George’s School gues, may not be well-suited to a traditionally School and Vancouver College. Vancouver College male-based education model. All-girls schools cite their ability to not only boost girls’ interest in subjects such as math and science, but also build confidence in public speaking and leader- BOARDING SCHOOLS Boarding schools are institutions that provide The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) TOP BOARDING an on-campus residence for faculty and stu- oversees and advocates for nearly 300 boarding SCHOOLS IN THE GVRD & VANCOUVER dents. Often referred to as “prep schools,” schools internationally. According to a 2004 ISLAND these were once exclusive, elite college pre- survey of more than 2,700 boarding school paratory schools for wealthy families. Today, students, many old myths about boarding Brentwood College School there are many very affordable options and a schools no longer hold true. Boarding schools Queen Margaret’s School wide variety of boarding school types— from are no longer homogenous; many have thriving traditional college preparatory schools to Mili- international student populations. Boarding Shawnigan Lake School tary, Special Needs, and International schools. schools are not for “troubled teens” only; 60% St. George’s School of students enrolled because of the promise of St. Margaret’s School Boarding schools function as educational insti- a better education. tutions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and thus St. Michaels University School offer a vibrant array of extra-curricular and There is only one school in Vancouver that campus activities. Students learn to live away offers a boarding program, St. George’s from home and gain the skills and responsibility School. Most of the boarding schools in British to assert their own independence. With many Columbia are located in Vancouver Island. teachers also in residence, after-school tutoring Some schools offering boarding programs in is easily accessible. Most schools have on- and around Vancouver Island include Brent- campus counsellors to help with personal and wood College, St. Margaret’s School, and St. academic guidance. Michael’s University school. PAGE 6 APPLYING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOLS SOME FRENCH French language schools offer complete or par- ment when studied from a young age. French IMMERSION SCHOOLS tial French immersion, allowing students to immersion programs additionally broaden IN THE GVRD acquire an understanding of and faculty in the students’ cultural perspectives by exposing French language from an early age. In full them to French literature, art, and history. Henry Hudson School French immersion programs, all courses are Jules Quesnel School taught in French and students interact in French immersion programs in the Greater L'École Bilingue School French with their classmates and instructors. Vancouver Regional District are offered Many French immersion schools are certified through both the public school system and Quilchena School by the Ministry of Education from France, and several private schools, including Queen E. Queen Elizabeth Annex students have the option to take the Brevet des Annex School, Jules Quesnel School, Henry School Collèges, a French National fluency exam. Hudson School, Quilchena School, L'École Bilingue School, Hastings School, Secord French immersion schools believe that a bilin- School, Douglas Annex School, Kerrisdale gual education not only makes available a vari- School, Trafalgar School, and Tennyson ety of opportunities for work and further School. study, but also enhances cognitive develop- FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS SOME FAITH-BASED Faith-based schools have a specific religious in the Protestant tradition, many with a specific SCHOOLS IN THE affiliation and offer both an academic and reli- denominational affiliation such as Mennonite, GVRD gious education. These schools aim to integrate Baptist, or Adventist. Some Christian private Khalsa School (Sikh) faith-based principles into everyday education schools in the Greater Vancouver Regional and to give students a more comprehensive District include British Columbia Christian King David High School (Jewish) understanding of their faith. In many cases, Academy, Regent Christian Academy, and morning prayers, religion classes, and religious White Rock Christian Academy. Little Flower Academy services are part of the daily curriculum. (Catholic) Jewish private schools offer a Jewish curricu- Regent Christian Academy The Association of Christian Schools Interna- lum as part of a day school setting, including (Christian) tional (ACSI), Christian Schools International, Hebrew instruction and Judaic study courses. St. Thomas Aquinas High (CSI), and the Ontario Alliance of Christian Some schools are cross-denominational, while School (Catholic) Schools (OACS) are three organizations that others are specifically Orthodox, Reform, etc. Vancouver College (Catholic) represent private Christian schools in Canada Some Jewish private schools in the Greater and abroad. In addition to public Catholic Vancouver Regional District include King Vancouver Hebrew Academy (Orthodox Jewish) schools, there are numerous private Catholic David High School, Vancouver Hebrew Acad- schools in the Greater Vancouver Regional emy, and Vancouver Talmud Torah Elemen- District,