Jennifer Stevenson moved her son Michael out of the public system after he completed Grade 5 and enrolled him the following year at Rotherglen School in Oakville, Ontario. "I moved him for Grade 6 because I found the classes were too large," Jennifer says. "I think boys are different than girls and my son just wasn’t as engaged at school."

"I also had an accountability issue with the school. I just didn’t think he was getting what he needed at that school. I think we’re more demanding than our parents were."

Rotherglen’s small classrooms and more structured environment attracted her, Jennifer says. Having completed Grade 8 in June, Michael will be attending a Catholic separate school in September. "I think he has really benefited from attending a private school in these years before high school," Jennifer says. "The structured learning environment was great. The kids were held accountable and the school was also accountable for what it was teaching."

"His marks remained consistent at As and Bs, as they were at his former school. But I think he received a better quality of education," Jennifer explains. "Academically, I think he will be very well prepared. His time there laid a strong foundation for his future education. He will have a leg up."