| Canadian prep schools offer high school students | | | | school, your child's teachers will know him or her |
| a unique experience. Approximately six percent of | | | | very well and are able to keep students on track |
| all students in Canada attend prep school. In prep | | | | with their studies. |
| school, your child will get exposure to a wide | | | | Parental involvement - Since parents are the |
| variety of programs designed to make him or her | | | | "customers" of prep school, they are highly |
| a well rounded person. Prep schools traditionally | | | | involved in the lives of their children and the |
| have a strong academic and athletic focus, as well | | | | school. Parents participate in school wide events |
| as providing opportunities for cultural and | | | | and other activities. Unlike in public school, where |
| leadership activities. If you are considering prep | | | | vocal parents are sometimes seen as a nuisance, |
| school for your child, you should carefully evaluate | | | | private school administrators welcome parent |
| the pros and cons of your decision. | | | | feedback. |
| Private School Advantages | | | | Private School Disadvantages |
| Academics - Private schools are sought out by | | | | Cost- This is by far the biggest deterrent to |
| parents because of their rigorous academic | | | | private prep school. Prep school can cost $10,000 |
| programs. Statistically speaking, more students | | | | to $28,000 per year. This cost can be increased if |
| from prep schools attend college and earn high | | | | you choose a private boarding school. These |
| marks on their college entrance exams than | | | | schools are a major financial commitment and this |
| those from private school. There are a wide | | | | should be the biggest factor in your decision. |
| range of choices including International and French | | | | High pressure - The academic pressures of prep |
| Baccalaureates, Advanced Placement and British O | | | | school can be a lot for a teenager to handle. The |
| and A levels. There are traditional British style | | | | increased homework load and high expectations |
| prep schools, Christian schools, Montessori schools | | | | from students can create a high pressure |
| and Waldorf schools, as well as liberal education | | | | environment. If your student isn't used to college |
| schools with specific educational philosophies. | | | | preparatory classes, he or she may have trouble |
| Athletics - Most prep schools require participation | | | | adapting to the more rigorous curriculum. |
| on an athletic team in order to attend the school. | | | | Keeping up with classmates - In prep school, your |
| Prep schools give a lot of support to their athletic | | | | student may be exposed to a completely |
| teams and they often have a wider variety of | | | | different social class than the one they are used |
| sports than public schools, like diving or golf. | | | | to. The spending limits and lifestyles of their |
| Language development - Most Canadian prep | | | | extremely wealthy classmates may provide extra |
| schools offer extensive training in English, French | | | | pressure on them to fit in. Your student may |
| and other languages. Some require that students | | | | want to spend extra money on clothes and |
| be proficient in at least two languages in order to | | | | activities to keep up with the rest of the class. |
| graduate. The language training at prep school | | | | Fundraising - Even though private schools are |
| goes above and beyond what is experienced at | | | | funded by parents, there's no shortage of |
| public schools. | | | | fundraisers to sponsor various extracurricular |
| Low student to teacher ratio - Small class sizes | | | | activities or new building projects at the school. |
| mean that your child gets more attention from his | | | | Expect to be invited to many dinners and events |
| or her teachers. Teacher and student interaction | | | | where are expected to fork over donations. |
| is a vital part of the learning experience. In prep | | | | |