Creating a short list
Tips from a director of admissions who, when she first walked into the Mabin School, wished she had gone there as a child
Finding the private school that’s the best fit for you and your child is no easy task. With so many options to choose, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — particularly if step one is determining the best learning environment.
“We define learning in three ways; academically, socially and emotionally,” says Karen Wolff, educational consultant at Wolff Educational Services.
“And we strongly believe that 21st-century classrooms and learning environments are centred and built around those three silos equally.”
That means it can take a bit of research to find an environment that will allow your child to thrive.
Here are a few tips for creating a private school short list:
Understanding your child
“We firmly believe in seeing your child not only as your child but as a learner,” Wolff said.
“And it’s a really hard thing for a parent to sort of navigate this because you don’t see them in the classroom for eight hours a day.”
She recommends getting your kids on board, so they can contribute to the process.
“You really need to see your child as an academic learner and understand their strengths and areas of needs as a social being — then you can really hone in on the type of environment that they would thrive in,” she said
Make a list
Once you have a picture of who your child is as a learner, you can determine which environments will cater to their strengths.
If one of their areas of strengths is math, then you could look at a school that has enriched math, Wolff added. You might also consider schools with small class sizes, specific religious values, singlesex or co-ed, extracurricular options or even educational tools.
Michelle Barchuk, director of admissions and communications at the Mabin School in Toronto, suggests finding out how the school helps integrate a new family into its community.
“We pair up a new family with a current family who has a child or children in the same grade as that new child, so they can make connections before the school year begins,” she said.
Visiting potential schools
Visiting the schools is crucial, Wolff said.
“Once parents lay eyes on an environment that they maybe hadn’t seen online or heard their friends talk about and can picture their child there, it’s a game changer,” she said.
Barchuk is just as passionate about the school visit, saying when she first walked into the Mabin School, she wished she had gone there as a child.
“It also gives you a chance to ask questions about your child,” she added.
“Every child is different. Every family has different questions. And so, when you’re visiting and having a tour, you have a chance to do that.”
School interview While the interview is part of the admission process, it’s also a good chance for parents to determine the fit.
Barchuk described the interview at the Mabin School as a very cosy and informal process.
“We really want to make sure that the child is comfortable during the process,” she said.
“So, we all stay together in the same room.
“Our principal and I will ask the parents some questions and we’ll have a teacher who plays with the child. Then two of our Grade 6 students will give the family a tour of the school and then answer any questions the family has.” This content was funded but not approved by the advertiser.