(*note: when I use the term private school, I am referring to all classifications of schools...independent, not-for-profit, private etc. It gets too complex and confusing to differentiate otheriwise.)
Anyone that has shopped for private schools in Ottawa has heard of Elmwood School. Elmwood, along with the neighbouring Ashbury, are private schools in a league of their own. They have the advantage of time on their sides. They are what I have in mind when I think of private school. They are similar to the schools that I went through personally, and it was in schools like those where I was truly challenged as an individual - I may not have necessarily liked all of the challenges growing up, but looking back, it was those experiences that really shaped me.
Some highlights from Elmwood:
Elmwood follows the IB program which means a solid curriculum, international recognition, and hence a slight advantage for graduates applying to universities overseas. I only say slight advantage, because truth is, Canada is a well respected country internationally and our high school diploma will be recognized pretty much anywhere in the world. However, one added advantage of the IB program is that this minimizes significantly the chances of your child being a split (blended) class. As many private school parents will know, many of the smaller private schools in Ottawa tend to have lower enrollment and sometimes two grades will be put into one class and hence share the teacher's time. Elmwood's enrollment is not currently an issue, but should such a scenario present itself, the IB structure is not conducive to split classes. So if split classes are an issue for you, you may want to consider the IB program.
Elmwood is classified as not-for-profit. This means that there is a board which is made up of a mix of current parents, alumni parents, as well as independent bodies. They make the decisions pertaining to the school and send their direction to the principal who is in charge of the execution of these decisions. This has the advantage of separating the education aspect from the business aspect by one degree of separation. This doesn't necessarily guarantee that all will be peachy-keen, but its one of the more democratic ways to run a school. So if you don't want to be at the mercy of the whim of one sole principal, you may wish to look into a not-for-profit structure or ask if the school has a board of directors.
Large school grounds. The history of Elmwood goes back many decades. Many of the grounds were actually donated to the school. Since Elmwood has time on its side, the school's properties are rather enviable in a time where grass is a rarety in a city-school. There are sports fields and separate buildings for the junior and senior schools. Shared facilities, such as gymnasiums are in good shape and roomy.
Teachers. Many of the classes at Elmwood are covered by one primary teacher and one assistant. Oftentimes, the teacher's assistant is a fully qualified teacher as well. Due to the school's large size, Elmwood has many specialized teachers who only have one, perhaps 2 main core subjects.
Price. What is that saying? "You get what you pay for..." Well, if that is any indication, Elmwood must be a darn good school. JK and SK are slightly more expensive than their other private school counterparts, but remain competitive at approx $16,000 a year. This price tag includes early morning drop-off. The big gulp, *gulp*, comes when students enter grade one, with a tuition jump that brings annual tuition to a whopping $20,000 a year. Add in the cost of uniforms, text book fees, and other outings and etc...parents had better plan their investment accordingly.
Bursaries. Elmwood does offer bursaries. They have an application process, and from what I have observed and heard through the grapevine, they are good with their bursaries. By good, I mean, they offer them to students. Although they may be a not-for-profit, they still need to pay the bills. So money, is still an issue. So bursaries add some tuition flexibility to aid the overall business plan.
Uniforms. I'm not overly picky with uniforms. As long as the school has them, I'm happy. And as long as it doesn't get too ridiculously expensive, I'm fine with that. These uniforms are a rather ugly green, and some of the items are rather expensive; but in the grand scheme of things, not a big ticket item...in more ways than one.
Overall rating: "If I could afford it, I would send my daughter there"
A mother's quest to find a good school. The ups and downs, pros and cons, public vs. private, and my personal dilemma in a world of choice.
The Quest
I am the mother of one school-aged child. Education has always been a priority to me, so much so that I am willing to scrimp and save to invest in my child's education. Whether that investment is in private schools, in RESPs or in time spent with my child; I invest my heart, soul and money in my daughter's education - formal or informal. I'm just not quite sure what mix is the best for us yet. And perhaps that mix will constantly change as my child changes.
I went to both private and public schools myself, and had some incredible experiences. I look back on my journey through the education system, and there were some clear highs and lows. If anything, my own journey has taught me the importance of a good school, with good solid foundations, and a clear philosophy on education. As a mother, I want to assure that my daughter has more highs than lows. I want her to thrive in the environment she is in, and I want her experiences to shape her into a strong, confident and capable woman. I realize that nothing is perfect, no matter how much you pay for it. The trick is finding the right fit for your child, and for your family.
In my searches, I found that there were very few reviews or comments on schools in Ottawa. So if you don't know anyone with children at the school, you were rather strapped for sources of information. Throw in the fact that the Ministry of Education does not oversee the operation of private (by private I am referring to all school structures that are not public) schools beyond issuing a license to operate, parents who choose to go down this path are pretty much on their own. This is why making a educated choice is even more important. You are effectively taking your child's education in your own hands, and throwing a whole whack of money into this decision too - so do it right!
I am, in all honesty, what you would call an uptight mother. I don't like making decisions without doing my due diligence. So I'm hoping that my quest to find a good school for my daughter will lead to more parents vocalizing their views on their childrens' schools so that all Ottawa parents can make better informed decisions. So Ottawa parents, please comment and share your views!
I plan on visiting many of the Ottawa area private schools, as well as some of the public schools which I qualify to register my daughter in. I will share my impressions of the school as well as any background knowledge I have managed to obtain through other parents.
I went to both private and public schools myself, and had some incredible experiences. I look back on my journey through the education system, and there were some clear highs and lows. If anything, my own journey has taught me the importance of a good school, with good solid foundations, and a clear philosophy on education. As a mother, I want to assure that my daughter has more highs than lows. I want her to thrive in the environment she is in, and I want her experiences to shape her into a strong, confident and capable woman. I realize that nothing is perfect, no matter how much you pay for it. The trick is finding the right fit for your child, and for your family.
In my searches, I found that there were very few reviews or comments on schools in Ottawa. So if you don't know anyone with children at the school, you were rather strapped for sources of information. Throw in the fact that the Ministry of Education does not oversee the operation of private (by private I am referring to all school structures that are not public) schools beyond issuing a license to operate, parents who choose to go down this path are pretty much on their own. This is why making a educated choice is even more important. You are effectively taking your child's education in your own hands, and throwing a whole whack of money into this decision too - so do it right!
I am, in all honesty, what you would call an uptight mother. I don't like making decisions without doing my due diligence. So I'm hoping that my quest to find a good school for my daughter will lead to more parents vocalizing their views on their childrens' schools so that all Ottawa parents can make better informed decisions. So Ottawa parents, please comment and share your views!
I plan on visiting many of the Ottawa area private schools, as well as some of the public schools which I qualify to register my daughter in. I will share my impressions of the school as well as any background knowledge I have managed to obtain through other parents.
Monday, December 5, 2011
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Hi,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your writing. It is valuable to all parents looking for private school. As you mentioned about public school, did you make any visit to public school? And what is your decision finally?