As parents, we all want to give our little ones every possible advantage for their future. And in Etobicoke, we are lucky that there are so many excellent options when it comes to education, public and private. Either can offer many advantages and opportunities for your child. How will you decide the best path?
In the public system, your catchment area limits you to a degree. This means certain schools are available based on your address. If you prefer your child attend a different school, you may apply for “out of area” admission. However, there is no guarantee, as these are based on availability and program suitability. Catchment areas are often a deciding factor for families who are relocating – education is this important to them!
Moving to have access to the school of your choice may seem like a drastic decision. Fortunately, the availability of high-quality private schools in Etobicoke could make it unnecessary. Whether or not moving is in the cards, you need a way to evaluate the best facility for your child. Below, you will find several tools to help you make the right choice.
A Glance at the Public School Boards
Etobicoke falls under two school boards, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). On their websites, you can perform a search to find what schools are available to your child based on your address.
You can also look up the school’s value system, dress code, what development and support programs exist, and any extracurricular activities they offer.
For example, did you know that French immersion options are publicly funded and available to all? This could be a great way to offer your child an enriched education and open the doors to many career paths and opportunities later in life.
The school boards give you an excellent starting point for your research. However, you may also want to take advantage of some of the third-party evaluation tools.
What schools are available in your catchment area? We’ve done the research so you don’t have to:
An Introduction to the Fraser Rankings
Fraser Rankings are essentially an annual report card for a school. They provide insight into how students perform on standardized tests in subjects like math, reading, writing, language arts, and science. In Ontario, these tests occur in Grades 3, 6, and 9, with each school earning a rating out of 10. The higher the score, the more impressive the ranking. You can see how a school measures up by visiting www.compareschoolrankings.org.
Though often viewed as the ultimate way to evaluate a school, there are criticisms of Fraser Rankings. For example, not every student performs well on standardized tests, and project work isn’t considered. Not every school is ranked, which leaves some holes in the data. And the rankings themselves don’t factor in other subjects like physical education, musical theatre, arts programs, or special needs programs. A highly ranked school that is wrong for your child’s needs can be a source of unnecessary stress if their natural talents lie elsewhere.
What Are Your Child’s Strengths?
Knowing about school rankings is one thing, but every child is unique. Fraser Rankings might not be important if your child is artistically inclined. If they are STEM-focused, seeking out a high score may be ideal.
As with all things in life, no school will be perfect, but there are ways to fill in the gaps through extracurricular activities or tutoring programs. In Etobicoke, you will find plenty of resources to support your child in any endeavour you could imagine.
Is there a move coming up for your family? A little background knowledge of the current real estate market will help you enjoy a successful transition:
- What Compromises to Make When Buying a Home
- What Can You Buy in Etobicoke for Under $1 Million
- Why Working With a Local Etobicoke Realtor® Is More Critical Than Ever
Education Quality and Accountability Office
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) can offer a more balanced evaluation. They assess schools not just by performance on tests, but by attitudes toward learning. Students themselves develop an awareness of where their strengths lie and where they can use improvement.
Each child indicates whether they believe they are good at math, reading, and writing and whether or not they enjoy them. A school where a large percentage of students love to learn could indicate a caring and competent faculty.
A Guide to Private Schools in Etobicoke
Private school is a significant financial commitment, and one that you should only make after meticulous consideration. How do you know if it’s the right choice?
Evaluating private schools can be tricky because the Ministry of Education does not regulate them. Some offer outstanding education, whereas others may be less than stellar.
In addition, some private schools are ranked by the Fraser Institute, which will give you an idea of whether they are focused on traditional subjects. However, many smaller, less well-known schools are not ranked. Doing your homework before investing in private education is critical. Here are some questions to ask to ensure a private school is reputable.
- Are the teachers certified and registered with the Ontario College of Teachers?
- If you have children in high school, does the school offer credits toward the OSSD? You can find out in the Ontario Open Data Catalogue.
- Does the school follow the Ontario curriculum?
- Is the school a member of the CAIS (Canadian Accredited Independent Schools)?
- Will you be able to access your child’s records and transcripts?
- How long has the school been operating?
- What percentage of graduates are accepted into college or university programs?
Our Favourite Specialty Schools in Etobicoke:
Etobicoke is well-known for its educational system, and there are far too many excellent schools to highlight them all. However, here are a few of our favourites that have earned a respectable reputation within the community.
- Etobicoke School of the Arts: This is a prestigious high school where students must audition before they can attend. Music, visual arts, and drama programs are combined with a strong mathematics and science curriculum to provide a well-balanced education.
- Kingsway College: For years, Kingsway College has been the go-to choice for private elementary education in Etobicoke. Now, they also offer a superior secondary education on their newest campus. The senior school is the only CAIS-accredited school in Toronto’s west end!
- Karen Kane School of the Arts: Named after the distinguished dancer, the Karen Kane School of the Arts offers middle-school programs focused on dance, drama, vocal music, and visual arts. As part of the Toronto District School Board, it is publicly funded and open to all artistically inclined children in Toronto.
Do you want to know more about Etobicoke and what makes it a great place for families? We specialize in the area and are happy to answer your questions. Reach out to us today at contact@thompsonsells.com or call 416-450-5900.
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