• Private Schools

1. A healthy environment

The overall health of a school community is reflected in the relationships among students, teachers, and staff. You’ll get the clearest sense of this by visiting the campus in person. Notice how people interact—are teachers engaged with students beyond the classroom? Do students appear relaxed, confident, and connected? Lively, respectful energy in the hallways is often a good sign of a positive learning environment.

2. Strong leadership

Leadership sets the tone for everything that happens within a school. Effective administrators and heads of school create clear expectations for communication, collaboration, and student growth. They guide academic progress, nurture a healthy culture, and model the kind of respectful, inclusive environment they expect others to uphold.

3. A clear educational philosophy

“Parenting and mentoring children,” says Diane Swiatek, head of Banbury Crossroads School in Calgary, “is a matter of choosing philosophy and principles, and acting so as to live out those principles.” The best schools operate with that same clarity of purpose. A strong mission statement and consistent follow-through show that a school’s values are more than words—they’re practiced daily in classrooms, policies, and community life.

4. The right location and setting

Location matters—not just for convenience, but for how it shapes your child’s experience. Some students thrive in bustling urban schools surrounded by cultural opportunities; others do best in a quieter, natural setting where they can focus. Whether a school is near a sports facility, parkland, or the waterfront, the setting should enhance your child’s ability to learn, explore, and feel at ease.

5. A culture of care

Marie Lardino, head of Voice Integrative School (VIS) in Toronto, believes that learning flourishes where “belonging and safety are acknowledged, practiced, and celebrated.” Holly Huehn, a parent at St. John’s Kilmarnock School in Waterloo, agrees: “Not only do the teachers want to challenge the students, they also want to let them explore in different ways. They clearly care about the students and the education they’re receiving.”

In short, care underpins all great education. The best schools intentionally cultivate emotional safety, mental wellness, and physical health—recognizing that children learn best when they feel supported, respected, and inspired.