5. The Application
Compiling all the information gathered over the research process, parents should be able to come up with a final choice of two to three schools in which their child will flourish. Families are encouraged to apply to more than one school to keep their options open, because, although you may have preferences, chances are there are a number of schools that could be an appropriate fit.

Each school looks for different qualities in their students, but here’s what an application may require:
• Completed application forms (many are now available online)
• Interview and possible entrance exam
• Non-refundable application fee
• Confidential school report from child’s current school
• Previous report cards (up to two or three years back)
• Test scores (depending on your child’s age and the school, it may be necessary for your child to write the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) or another entrance exam)

What Schools Look for in Students
As families search for the perfect school, schools are also looking for the perfect student to contribute to their community. Here’s what schools want to see in their applicants:
• that they as a school will be a good fit for both the child and family
• that the student really wants to attend the school and is not just being pressured to do so
• a clear representation of the child’s ability
• the potential for the student to become a participating and integrated member of the private school community
• that both the family and child fully understand the school’s philosophy, vision and expectations at the outset

Specialized Private School Programs
Most students in the private system are there because they cannot receive the specialized attention or curriculum they need from a public school. Here are some examples of unique programs that are giving private school students a boost.

International Baccalaureate: The IB organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to create academic programs to challenge students while promoting intercultural respect and understanding. Three programs aimed at varying age groups (3-12, 11-16, 16-19) feature subjects like math, science, physical education and the arts, but also personal and social skills, humanities and technology. Students must also study a second language and complete a personal project.

Advanced Placement: The AP program allows high school students to take university courses for an extra challenge and to give them a head start in their post-secondary education. There are now over 30 rigorous AP courses and exams spanning many subjects available to high school students in Canada.

Montessori: Children are able to direct their own learning at their own pace under the guidance of a trained teacher. Teachers then introduce children to the next level of complexity when they are ready. Children of different ages are placed in the same class to stimulate conversation, create community and allow the older children to be role models.

Waldorf: To facilitate the learning process, teachers use the most suitable techniques in their repertoire that consider the age of their students’ physical and mental being. For example, elementary students at Waldorf Schools aged 7 to approximately 14 years old learn through artistic mediums such as drawing. Once they reach high school, the focus shifts to more direct intellectual stimulation.

Round Square: With exchanges available in 60 schools worldwide, students are able to travel between cultures, participate in community service and simply experience a variety of learning environments to develop the Round Square IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

Duke of Edinburgh: The Duke of Edinburgh program is for students aged 14-24 and encourages personal growth through life experience. Students choose either a Bronze, Silver or Gold level of program, and must complete a personal activity in various sections: volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential.

Special Needs: Schools offer many different programs to cater towards students with any degree of physical disability, mental disability, communicative disorder, behavioural disorder. Almost always they’ll include one-on-one instruction and approved specialized learning materials.

Our Kids Media publishes Our Kids Go to School magazine—Canada’s Annual Guide to Private Schools, powers the school search on OurKids.net and hosts the annual Private School Expo. This year’s Private School Expo will be held in Montreal on September 18, 2011, Toronto on October 15, 2011, Oakville on October 23, 2010, and in Vancouver on November 27, 2011. Register for 50% admission at www.OurKids.net/Expo.