British Columbia private school enrollment has increased in the face of declining B.C. public school enrollment levels according to a CTV report.
CTV's Shannon Paterson reports on private school enrollment in BC and why more families choose to go private.
“[Parents] want their children to have the best possible chance,” says Patti Bacchus, chair of the Vancouver School Board, “and when they hear constant erosion of funding to public schools it does create concern.”
The article and accompanying video illuminates how willing parents are to pay for private school as an alternative to public, particularly when school funding is cut and the quality of the public option comes into question.
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We invite Vancouver area parents to the free information seminars and Vancouver School Expo on November 15, 2009. Join Robin Hinnell, executive director of Independent Schools Association of BC as he discusses how to assess your families needs and choose the best school. HSBC financial experts will also help with how to afford private school.
Leading day and boarding schools will be exhibiting and you can chat with hundreds of other parents. Register for free admission at http://www.ourkids.net/expo.
I'm seeking an explanation as to why the majority of BC Independent schools require uniforms. We are relocating from Seattle to BC (my husband is Canadian). My daughter will be leaving an amazing private school for gifted students. The school culture celebrates; encourages diversity. It seems to me that making everyone dress the same hinders diversity, creativity, and individuality. Teaching is found in "teachable moments" and communicating a sense of “trust” to the child. Uniforms just do not feel very progressive to me.
Thanks OurKids. We hope to attend. Thanks for the wonderful website full of very helpful information! This is a huge move for our family and you guys are making it a bit easier
Hi @SeattleWA,
I send my daughter to a uniform school, not necessarily out of choice, but she has eventually gotten used to it. As much as I do not like the idea of uniforms for school (or work, etc.) I would argue that school uniforms offer their own kind of liberation, especially for teenage girls, who face tremendous peer pressure when it comes to clothing styles and brands, family economics, body image and more. Uniforms do a lot to level things out. I'm not saying I am 100% in favour of them but there are positives you might consider.
I agree Jim, Uniforms can make things a lot easier. But I always wonder if the easy way out is at a cost of missing a learning and growing opportunity. My daughter attends a school near Seattle with billionaires, millionaires, middle class, and families receiving Aid (1/3 of our student body is on Financial Aid) So it is a true blend of the haves and have-nots. It's amazing to me to see how mature and mindful the children are when it comes to economic diversity. I see an entire different generation emerging; one that does not necessarily put value on what brand someone is wearing, but rather who is the person wearing the clothing. We are not all the same in the world – that is reality. I wonder if our children know better than even us how to embrace and respect differences, rather than trying to make us all seem the same. Choice in clothing can celebrate culture, mood, creativity, and give one a sense of independence. These are all good things to learn in life.
Hi Jim, I agree – a uniform is much easier. I also think it could help a student feel a sense of belonging; a sense of spirit to be part of a wonderful school culture. But I sometimes wonder if its at a cost of an growth opportunity. I wonder if we teach and give opportunities to celebrate diversity and tolerance, those social pressures of dressing "cool" would diminish? From my perceptive, in our current school situation, I believe kids today care less about what people are wearing and more about the person inside the clothing. My daughter attends a independent school near seattle that has a mixture of billionaires, millionaires, middle class, and those receiving financial aid (1/3 of our families). It's a very diverse campus, but with a bond of similar family values. I challenge the idea of wearing uniforms to create a sense that everyone is the same. Children know that we are not all the same; any sales job from an adult does not change what they innately know and kids will find a way to express their unique selves one way or another. Clothing choice can help express creativity, ones mood, diversity, and responsibility… something worth teaching and learning.