What makes Oakville Independent Schools so unique? Find out at their joint Open House on Saturday, October 20th, 2012!
PHOTO CREDITS: Oakville Independent Schools
What do the Oakville Independent Schools (OIS) have in common? All twelve independent private schools—including elementary, secondary, Montessori, IB World, traditional, religious-based, boarding, single-sex and co-educational schools—share a strong commitment to academic and overall educational excellence.
What sets them apart is that every school varies in size, with student populations that range from 50 to more than 700 students, and the variety of school settings they offer represent a very diverse group of schools that, according to Heather Hwang, OIS Communications Representative, “place a high value on providing a comprehensive learning experience for students.” Because each of the schools have their own philosophies, families are encouraged to explore each of the member schools to find the right environment and fit for their children.
All of the schools are located in Oakville and as a result are easily accessible to families, says Heather. A majority of the schools can be found in the heart of residential areas, which makes them an important contribution to their communities. In addition, Heather notes that many OIS schools also offer their campus facilities to outside groups.
So what can families expect from an Oakville Independent School environment? “Each OIS school has its own atmosphere that reflects its unique offerings. They are proud and passionate about the learning environment they provide their students. All OIS schools provide highly equipped learning environments that support achievement, excellence and inclusiveness. In a changing and challenging education environment, the OIS offer families a stable and dependable choice, providing innovative and engaging programs for a new generation of learners,” says Heather.
The unique characteristics of an independent school also offer some very unique benefits: “They provide smaller classroom settings and a personalized focus on the whole child and their educational needs,” Heather adds, “They work with families, offering strategies and approaches that provide a wide-range of options to achieve academic success. They employ enthusiastic, highly skilled and engaged teachers who are committed to a student-centred focus. Finally, private schools have the ability and freedom to implement learning strategies and approaches in innovative and effective ways. We invite parents to explore their options and discover the wealth of independent school choices in Oakville.”
While some parents might like to focus on the small class sizes, personalized attention, and a solid academic foundation, others look at the independent school’s specialized programs and other opportunities and extracurricular activities that are not offered in public schools. As Heather states, “What OIS offers parents is choice. They are not governed by boundary issues and parents are free to choose the school that best suits their family and their child.”
And what type of students might benefit from an Oakville Independent School education? Because independent schools are so inclusive, they encourage common values and purpose. “The student bodies of Oakville Independent Schools offer choice, diversity, innovation, excellence and personalization,” Heather confirms. In addition, there are limitless opportunities for graduates. “If it is an elementary level school, some students choose a secondary level independent education where some students decide to go to a publicly funded high school. Students who graduate from a secondary level proceed to post-secondary education both within Canada and abroad.”
Join the Oakville Independent Schools this October at their Open House to discover more about what each school can offer your child and how they can encourage their continuing education!
Open House Details:
Date: Saturday, October 20th, 2012
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: School locations can be found at www.educationoakville.comVisitors will enjoy tours of the schools along with the opportunity to meet administrators, parents and students. It is a great opportunity to ask questions and get a feeling for the school environment. A great school is waiting for you!
Members of the OIS include: Appleby College, Chisholm Academy, Clanmore Montessori School, Dearcroft Montessori School and West Wind Montessori Jr. High, Fern Hill School, Glenburnie School, King’s Christian Collegiate, MacLachlan College, Oakville Christian School, Rotherglen School, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School and Wildwood Academy.
To learn more, or to access a map with locations of each school, please visit www.educationoakville.com.
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About Erin McLaughlin
