Private Schools: Points to Consider Before You Enroll Your Child

When enrolling your child in a private and independent school, it is important that you thoroughly research the school so that your child not only has the best education, but is also protected. There a number of considerations that one should be aware of when they are searching for the right private school for their child.

Determine your Child Needs: Before you even start looking for a private school, you should be aware of your child’s particular needs. You want to make sure your child does not end up in a poor quality private school. For instance, you want to know all of the extra curricular activities that are offered to make sure there is a variety that your child can choose from and if the particular activity that your child has an interest is being offered. As well, you have to consider such needs as any learning or physical disabilities your child might have, transportation services, and the distance from the school to your home. There are also general qualities to look for such as the quality of the teachers and education curriculum. You also have to consider the type of school such as boys or girls schools, religious, military,etc. Determining your child’s needs will help reduce the number of schools you will have to look at.

Educational Requirements: You should look at the education programs at the private and prep school. Look at how modern the school is regarding such areas as science labs, computer technology, etc. Does the school have large or small classrooms? How involved are the parents with the children’s education. Does the school keep in contact with the parents and give them updates regularly? What type of education programs are offered such as music, theater, art, etc? Are there clubs children can join?

School’s Background: It is important to get an understanding of what the school is all about. Find out such information as the school’s mission, vision, policies, and philosophy. What types of services are offered such as medical, library, and counseling? Find out the background and the qualifications of the teachers and their grading policies. It is very important that the school you choose is accredited.

Visit the School: When you visit the school, assess the environment, school dress code, and how they meet special needs. (Wheel chair accessible) Look for displayed school projects such as art work. As well, look for any awards the school may have received. Try to talk to members of the faculty. Find out what universities and colleges graduates of the private school have attended. Assess the overall atmosphere of the school. Is it warm and inviting? Do the students look happy? Find out what the requirements are to get into the school. (i.e. tests, interview) Look at the school’s resources such as the Library, lunchroom, and physical education facilities. You should also find out the school’s discipline policy as well as its student safety policy.

Every parent wants the best education for their child. When selecting a private school, one is making a large investment in their child’s future. It is important that parents do their research so that they, and their child, are happy with the private school they choose.

Private schools in Toronto, offering a balanced curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten, independent school in Toronto through to University and College entrance.

Advantages When Students Use High Tech at School

As computer, Internet, and other technologies advance, they are playing a major role in our daily lives. They are now a part of our work lives and we use it at home for financial reasons, acquiring news stories, research and education, and communicating with friends and families. It is playing more of a significant role in our lives.

These high-tech tools are important for children to learn and use. Technology is a doorway to education and job skills. The necessity of learning and understanding emerging technologies has resulted in the need to offer it in public and private schools.

The advantages of using high tech devices and learning in schools include:

1. Because of the internet, students now have an abundance of knowledge at their finger tips. It is no longer textbooks that teach children. The internet offers a host of knowledge resources to help children learn. The Internet also has an abundance of interactive programs that can be downloaded or used online that will help children improve their reading, language, math, science, and other course skills, There are games and exercises appropriate for any age. They can help assess a child’s level of learning and understanding as well as identify any learning weaknesses. The high tech tools can also help with memory and hand/eye coordination.

2. There is also an increasingly more of a need for more high school graduates to major in high-technology related fields when they enter college. Many jobs now involve high tech tools. Preparing a child for a productive future will greatly improve the chances of them acquiring a rewarding and lucrative career

3. Students that learn about high-tech tools in a hands-on way will help them overcome any insecurity that they may have about advanced technology. It will show them that high tech is something to be embraced, not feared.

4. New high tech tools in such areas as science provides students with new ways of experimenting and observing in more detailed and graphic ways. For example, this will help improve their overall understanding because the students can remotely control microscopes at laboratories that may be thousands of miles away from the school and they can speak to experts in just about any field. The students will be more compelled to learn.

5. It can improve the skills needed for success on standardized tests. It helps with the development of critical and innovative thinking skills. They will learn not to regurgitate information, but to explain it in a more comprehensive way.

6. Studies have shown that technology-based learning environments have helped at-risk students overcome barriers and have contributed to increased success rates.

7. Technology enhances work projects through such processes as computer word processing, and creating charts, tables, and graphs. It will give them an insight into the work world.

Technology now touches almost every part of our lives, our communities, and our homes. Schools should take advantage of all that technology has to offer students in the areas of teaching and learning. High tech learning will help students acquire the skills they need to flourish in this highly technical knowledge-based economy.

What Are The Student Government Awards?

Every year in the cities and towns of Canada, high school students and college student hopefuls work hard to keep their grades up so that they can earn a student government award. This government sponsored, scholarship and grant program pays out millions every year to deserving students who achieve academic success. This makes it possible for them to attend colleges and universities to pursue degrees in their chosen fields or study. The government does this so that the future generations can provide their service to the communities in which they grew up.

Canada as a country places a great emphasis on providing excellent educational opportunities for young people. The students who earn student government awards have proven that they have solid careers in mind; therefore they can give back to their hometowns once they complete their education. It’s this investment in the future of the economy as a whole that has produced superior results over the years. The same students that are in universities today will be the industry leaders of tomorrow in the Canadian economy.

Students who are pursuing careers in Science, Engineering and Government studies are in high demand by employers, therefore the student government scholarships are generally reserved for these applicants. There are also award opportunities for students interested in the field of Education, those who plan to go on to teach future generations the major subjects like English, Math, Science and Government Studies.

Many of the students who apply for student government awards may have had little opportunity to attend college after their primary studies have been completed. They may be students of low income or expatriate families that have migrated from other countries to live and work in Canada. These normally disadvantaged young people may not be able to pay for the expenses associated with a university degree, such as tuition, rooming or student study materials -which have reached astronomical levels in the last decade.

Student government awards are normally awarded to students in their senior year of high school. These students have demonstrated superior grades, study habits and participate regularly in extracurricular activities in their schools or communities. They generally represent the top 10% of their class. Student government awards can pay for a good portion of the cost of going to university for many first year students. In addition, students may be eligible to renew their awards annually if they keep their grades high and have a good attendance and performance record while in their university studies.

If you are the parent of an exceptional or deserving high school student, be sure to inquire as to the application process for student government awards. The guidance department can generally advise you on how your student can apply and benefit from this program. The awards are given out annually, so it’s important to apply ahead of time to be considered in time for university studies.