Deciding where to send your child to school in, or near, the city of Toronto, Ontario may be may seem a daunting task with more than 100 private schools to from which to choose. However, this is a good problem to have when narrowing down the list. Toronto private schools are some of the best, and there is certainly one or more that will provide the type of education that you desire for your offspring.

First, think about the style of learning, traditional or more unstructured of the Montessori type. If it is important that the school have a religious affiliation this will narrow your choices. Also, in Toronto there are options to send kids to a foreign language school, such as French or German for complete immersion. There are schools for children with special needs as well to address any physical or mental health issues.

Some schools are considered preparatory or “prep” schools and have long histories and connections with prominent universities. Students will be prepared for attending these advanced colleges, in hopes the will become future leaders or professionals. There are boarding schools where children live on campus during the school year.

Finding a list of private schools is a simple as conducting an internet search, or contacting the Ontario Ministry of Education. There is actually one website that focuses primarily on this topic, providing a list with contact information and descriptions. You may also want to ask other parents in your neighborhood where they send their children to school.

When you have narrowed your options based on affiliations, language training, and teaching methods, contact each school to arrange a visit. For a decision this important, a tour of the facility and meeting with the principal or some of the teachers is advised.

Consider the daily commute and how you would drop your child off each day. Perhaps choosing a school close to your home, or even close to one parent’s place of employment will provide an easier routine or more peace of mind. If there are other kids in your neighborhood that attend the same school, it may be possible to coordinate a car pool and trade off the driving responsibilities.

Ask the principal to provide references of other parents that you can call to ask about their child’s experiences at the schools you are considering. Also, ask for any ratings or other reports that may list how the school compares to others in Toronto. Look at passing and failing statistics and the success rate of students advancing to university, or vocational programs.

Of course cost is going to also factor in to your ultimate selection. Private schools do require a tuition for each student to attend their school and many will have a dress code or uniform policy. There are some schools that base tuition on your family’s income level while others are a set rate no matter what. Depending on your physical location or any affiliations there may be scholarships to help defray some or all of the cost. This is something to discuss with the school administrators when looking at each school or while filling out applications.

Author Bio: “Toronto independent school is committed to educational excellence and development of the character and individual abilities of students. When seeking Toronto private schools, consider Holy Trinity School.”

Category: Education
Keywords: private school, education, high school, middle school, academics, athletics, learning, scholarship