The ABC's of Choosing a High School

When choosing a high school for her daughter Reyana, Gail Hadef says: "we wanted our daughters school to be a place where kids from diverse backgrounds come together, and in close proximity to our home so Reyana could participate in many of the after school programs."

Institutionalized school systems are responsible for formal education but the burden of choosing the best fit lies in the hands of parents. There's no textbook with set guidelines on finding the right school but if you establish the criteria that matters most to you and break it down into categories you can make an educated decision.

You get what you pay for

• Private schools are funded through tuition, subsidies, and fundraising. Admission is selective and competitive.
• Students usually have similar goals and interests creating a fairly homogeneous environment.
• Teacher certification is not required and they have more creative freedom in designing curriculum, specialized programs, and assessment systems.
• They can organize field trips as part of a class.
• There is a commitment to provide smaller classrooms for more individual attention and a more controlled environment.

The best things in life are free

• Public schools allow all students, regardless of religious creed, academic abilities or any other factor to enroll.
• There are no tuition fees.
• School taxes cover the education of the community's children who attend these schools.
• Admission is open to all, including those with special needs.
• Students are of diverse backgrounds usually reflecting the neighbourhood.
• Teachers must be certified.
• There is a general curriculum issued by the province and measured by standardized tests.
• Class size is bigger to accommodate more students.

Making the grade

New lockers lining the corridors might look great but what's the behaviour of the students using them? Updated gym equipment might be fun to use but how's the sportsmanship? The food in the cafeteria might be delicious but are the students respecting one another while using these facilities?

Most schools encourage parents to visit and sit through a class or two. When you do, carry a notepad, keep a checklist, and create a marking system for your own personal use while actively observing the schools under consideration. Pay attention to the teacher/student rapport. Are the students engaged? Respectful? Does the principal carry himself with authority? Is there a dress code? What about the morale?

At the end of the day the right school for your child is not the one preferred by surveys or steeped in highest marks rather it's the one you and your child determine is the best fit.

"Smaller class size was important to us. We visited the schools of our choice, we did all the research and in the end, it was worth the effort to choose the right school for our daughter."

When the time comes to do your homework, know your priorities and factor in all the variables. Place your sons and daughters in a carefully chosen learning institute that you trust will foster a love of learning, excellence, critical thinking, and life skills. Then watch your investment reap high dividends, earning you, the parent, an A for effort.