Location: In New Edinburg. The school is a good size, convenient location for anyone who works in downtown Ottawa or downtown Hull.
School grounds: I went to their open house, and unfortunately, it was late in the evening and it was already dark. The school tour didn't include the playground or mention of the playground and I completely forgot to ask about it. Everything else looked pretty standard. Nice size gym, which is usually the tricky thing to find. However, the way they organized their classrooms (use of physical space) was rather confusing to me. So bear with me here as I try to explain the confusion: they only have a limited number of classrooms. And as it is, Fernhill classes go up to grade 4; even though the school is supposed to go up to grade 6. The grade 4 class is the most senior class. So, because they are missing grades 5 and 6, the classrooms that they would have used for grades 5 and 6 are being used for preschool and kindergarten as these programs tend to have high enrollment. However, as their current students progress, the school will progress with them, shifting the demographics of the school. So currently, there is no grade 5 or 6 class; but the next school year, the 4s will become 5s and there will be no grade 6 class. So to make room for an extra grade next year, they plan on cutting one of their preschool rooms. So basically, they are making use of their space and filling it with preschoolers until the older grades (5 and 6) exist.
It was rather funny planning, from my perspective; but it sounded like they knew what they were doing. I know that preschool, JK and SK tend to have higher enrollment in private schools because they are still tax deductible and then enrollment tapers off in the more senior years. I don't know at what rate it tapers off, so I can't judge whether this method works or doesn't work. I can only say that I was rather confused.
Board: There was a very involved board of directors. It appeared as if the board consisted of only parents of current students, in contrast to many schools which have parents of alumni. The majority of the board members were present for the open house and this really gave the tour a warm familial feeling to it. The board members that I spoke to were absolutely pleased with the school and the education their kids were receiving. Many had multiple children at Fernhill and had started their children at Fernhill since preschool, and that was very reassuring for me.
Staff: The staff seemed very involved in the school and its activities. I managed to speak to a few briefly and they were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about child development theory. Some didn't seem as enthusiastic about their jobs than others, but I guess you get that everywhere. I was very impressed that the principal had been at the school for 27 years though. Many of the teachers had been there for a number of years as well...6 or 7 years were some of the answers I got from the teachers I questioned. To me, the length of time teachers stay is pretty important. It shows me that they like teaching at that school and there is consistency at the school. To me, its also a sign of good leadership from the principal. You want to be weary if most teachers are new. This to me shows potential for high turnover rates, which is often a sign of cracks in the foundation of the school's leadership.
Curriculum: I was a little hesitant about the level of 'enriching' the curriculum actually got. It seemed as if they were following at par with the Ontario curriculum (judging by the exercise books and textbooks that were on the shelves), where other schools advertise that they are almost up to a full year ahead. So depending on your stance on this topic, this may be a point of discussion for your with the school should you decide to take a tour. When I asked how they enrich the curriculum, the principal mentioned things like experiments and field trips etc.; however, I remember my first instinct being 'well yeah, all schools public and private do that'. Basically, it didn't really sound to me like the curriculum was enriched all that much in comparison to a lot of the private schools.
Uniforms: Standard stuff. If you don't like green - you are not going to like these uniforms.
My overall ranking: I loved the warm familial feel of the school, however, I wasn't sure about their strength on the academic side. Not a good match for my priority list.
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.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
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