Private School Rankings

Feb 23, 2010

Private School Rankings - Things to Consider Before You Enroll Your Child

private school rankings

Private school rankings are very fluid until several weeks into the season. We all know you’ve got that freshman who blossomed in the off-season and those folks that beat you 85-6 are in a down year. Like I say, let’s just go ahead and play the schedule anyway and see what happens. There are some schools listed in tapps d2 that are in tcal or independent; I’ve already contacted granger on them (as well as one school that isn’t playing). Several of those schools have moved to “crowded field football,” and some aren’t playing this year. I’ve also asked granger to add lubbock home school christian this year. As far as i know, they are the only new home school group (added to austin, san antonio and bryan) this year. I had heard about a group forming in montgomery county, but no word on if they were able to field a team or get a schedule.

Private school ranking or rating is a controversial issue that keeps cropping up year after year. Parents are often looking for an easy list that will tell them “the right school” for their child, however, every expert on education says that such short cuts are a big mistake.

Do Not Focus on Rankings

You can find publications that rank Toronto private schools, but do not focus too strongly on these rankings. Remember, regardless of the school you choose, research has shown that the fact that you choose to put your child in a private school is, in and of itself, enough to help him have better test scores upon graduation. Consider these rankings, but do not make your decision based entirely on which school has the best test scores. Remember, your child is a unique individual, and the environment that works best for the majority of students may not work best for your child.

Consider Your Child’s Learning Strengths and Weaknesses

Does your child learn well through visuals, or is he one that needs to touch and feel objects to learn about them? If you have your child in preschool, ask his teachers about his apparent learning style. If not, you have probably already learned the best ways to teach your child. Choose a school that will work with your child’s learning strengths. A visual learner will not do well in a school that learns almost entirely through written projects, but an auditory learner will not do as well in a project-based learning environment.

Consider the Philosophy You Want

Whether or not you choose a religious education for your child, each Toronto prep school has its own philosophy about education and values. As you visit schools and look at curriculums, make sure the educational philosophy and values are in line with your goals as a family. You are not going to change the values of a school just because your children are enrolled there, so choose a school that is a good fit.

Visit the Campus

On paper a school may seem perfect, but you may visit only to find that it has outdated technology or an unfriendly staff. Before you choose a school to enroll your children in, schedule a visit. If you can, take your children with you and participate in at least part of a normal school day. This will give you a feel for the way the staff members interact with each other and with the students. It will also help you see what type of educational activities are performed, and your child will be able to see the environment and give you any input as to her impressions of the school and the kids.

Consider the Extra-Curriculars

Large preparatory schools tend to have all of the extra-curricular activities that a public school might have, and sometimes even more, but smaller private schools may have a limited number of choices. If band is important to you, make sure the school you are considering has this option. For some families a foreign language component is important, but the number of languages you can choose from may be limited if you enroll your children in a small Toronto independent school. If you want your children involved in sports, find a school with a nice variety. However, if sports are not important to your family, make sure the school does not have a compulsory sports program.

Source : Private School Rankings & Private School Ranking