Experts discuss the widespread appeal of day schools. To many it might be an obvious choice but there are more reasons than immediately apparent.
Parents seeking a quality education for their child often find this and more at an independent or private day school.
Stay-at-home kids
Because attending a day school doesn’t require a child to be physically separated from his or her family—outside regular school hours, that is—most parents enjoy the fact that they can remain actively involved in their child’s daily life. No homesickness (or “kid-sickness”) or missed occasions required.
“There’s a significant group of parents who like to have their children educated in their communities and have brought forward a bulk of new independent day schools,” says Robin Hinnell, Executive Director of the Independent Schools Association of B.C. “Parents these days don’t want to send their child away. They want them to be closer to their homes.”
While some parents choose day schools to keep kids nearby, others take their commutes into consideration.
“Some parents choose our day schools because it’s closer to where they work, rather than where they live,” says Katherine Poyntz, Executive Director of the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators, which has 160 day schools as members. “That allows them to come and see their children at lunch and be close to them.”
A school for every child
Under the day school umbrella, parents can pursue nearly every type of education model—academic, specialty, alternative or faith-based.
In addition, day school programs would suit the majority of students.
“It would be a rare and extreme case for a day school to not work for a child,” says Poyntz.
Whether or not students pursue boarding school as they grow older, day schools remain an obvious choice for the very young. “Our schools begin with very young students—a few of them are 18 months [old],” says Poyntz.
“The day school environment answers the needs of very young children in that age group.”
First-class education
George Briggs, Executive Director of the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario, says that parents can be confident that their child will receive a high quality, university preparatory education in an environment with dedicated teachers and excellent resources.
“Our schools control class sizes to ensure that all students are known by their teachers and are supported in their learning” he says.
He points out out that day schools also offer students a wide range of co-curricular activities in the arts, athletics and social service opportunities.
“Given the current economic situation, I believe parents will continue to seek the best learning environments for their children,” he says.
Hinnell also notes that parents value the variety of program options offered at day schools, such as the International Baccalaureate Programme and Advanced Placement courses.
“Parents find them very attractive for academics, the arts and athletics,” he says. “They are a lot more selective these days. The key is to choose a school that best suits their child.”
Poyntz agrees that parents select day schools primarily because of the type of education they want for their children.
“Even if it means longer drives and fiscal sacrifices,” she says.
Cheques and balances
Many parents select day schools as a more economical alternative. When it comes to private education, day schools are generally less expensive than the costs of sending a child away.
“Especially with families of three kids,” Hinnell says. “When you start comparing the cash total of day schools versus boarding, for some families, the cost of boarding can be prohibitive.”
(This article was originally published in Our Kids Go to School 2008-09, as part of a series of profiles of private school options.)
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