University preparation
Learning to make the grade
Find a list of schoolsGetting through high school isn't the only goal for students-it's preparing for the pressures of first-year university.
Welcome to Our Kids.
We’re here to help you find the right school, the right way.
For more than 20 years we’ve worked with leading education and child development experts to explore and improve the school-choice process. The result is a robust suite of tools—used by over 2.6 million families every year—which enable you to choose your best-fit school among the 350+ profiled on this site.
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Getting through high school isn't the only goal for students-it's preparing for the pressures of first-year university.
"The most important factor affecting student success in the university environment is time-management," says George Vanderkuur, principal at Durham Secondary Academy, in Ajax, Ontario. Between rigorous academic classes, required extracurricular programs and other social activities, private schools encourage students to manage responsibilities and plan their time well, says Vanderkuur.
To further serve the families who turn to us, we've been working with Microsoft to innovate in support of online learning. To that end, we're pleased to announce the launch of the Our Kids Store by Microsoft.
Gain access to exclusive discounts on Surface products—from laptops to accessories that support remote learning—at the Store through your Our Kids account dashboard.
But teaching kids how to effectively deal with their schedules is only part of the solution. The enforcement of dress codes, emphasis on punctuality, and codes of deportment that characterize the private school environment require students to develop self-discipline.
What's more, small classes and an emphasis on community encourage students to work together. This is important, as Vanderkuur points out, because "study groups are an essential component of a successful university experience, especially in the first year."
In the end, private schools are able to offer a lot more individual attention than students will get at university. But Vanderkuur says it's all tied to confidence and self-esteem, which are essential because, "in the postsecondary learning environment, the emphasis is on problem-solving and risk-taking."
Equip students with a combination of self-confidence and self-discipline and they'll be able to take first year university-and anything else life throws at them-in stride.
Personalized education from toddler to teenager at Hillfield Strathallan College. [Read more]
The Store is available through your user account dashboard, allowing you access to exclusive discounts on Surface products, from laptops to accessories that support remote learning. [Enter now]
