How to choose a school: public or private?

Choosing a school for a child is an important step for every family, especially for those moving to Canada and Calgary in particular. The education system in Canada has its own peculiarities, and one of the key decisions is to choose between public and private schools. In this article, we will take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options, the specifics of the educational process, and help you navigate the choice that is best for your child.

Education system in Calgary: general overview

Education in Calgary is part of the Alberta provincial system, which is characterized by high quality, flexibility and modern teaching methods. Children start school at the age of 5-6 and study for 12 years, going through elementary, middle and high school. Features of Canadian education:

  • Teachers do not raise their voices and encourage students to learn.
  • The educational process is based on active methods: projects, research, group work.
  • Assessment is conducted in percentages, not points, with a detailed analysis of progress.
  • Use of technology: computers, tablets, interactive materials.
  • Each class is divided into learning centers where students work on different tasks.

Calgary Public Schools

Benefits.

  • Free tuition for residents and newcomers with legal status.
  • High quality education with modern methods and support for students.
  • ESL programs for children who do not speak English.
  • Accessibility**: schools are located in all districts of the city.
  • A variety of extracurricular activities, sports clubs and clubs.
  • Teacher support system: teachers receive support and work in a team, which has a positive impact on the quality of education.

Disadvantages

  • In large schools, there may be a large number of students per class.
  • Less individual attention to each child compared to private schools.
  • Less flexibility in choosing curricula.
  • There are often no specialized programs for gifted children (although there are some specialized schools).

Private schools in Calgary

Advantages.

  • Smaller classes, allowing more attention to be paid to each student.
  • Individualized approach and flexible curricula.
  • More resources: modern equipment, extracurricular activities, sports and art programs.
  • International programs and bilingual education.
  • Great opportunities for talent development and university preparation.

Disadvantages

  • High tuition fees, which may be unaffordable for many families.
  • Not all private schools are of the same high quality.
  • Often located in certain neighborhoods, which can be inconvenient for living.
  • There may be a lack of government subsidies and support.

Features of the educational process in Calgary

  • Lessons last 80-90 minutes even in elementary school.
  • Use of interactive methods, games, and technologies.
  • Lack of traditional textbooks: teachers prepare their own materials.
  • Evaluation with detailed analysis, not simple scores.
  • Changing class groups every year to avoid bullying and improve the atmosphere.

How to choose a school for your child?

  1. Determine the budget: private schools are expensive, public schools are free.
  2. Assess your child's needs:** whether ESL support is needed, or if they have special educational needs.
  3. Consider location:** proximity to home, ease of transportation.
  4. Check out school reviews and ratings.
  5. Visit the school:** talk to the administration, teachers, and learn about the atmosphere.
  6. think about extracurricular opportunities:** sports, arts, science clubs.

Conclusion

The choice between public and private schools in Calgary depends on many factors: financial capabilities, child's needs, family priorities. Public schools offer high-quality, free education with extensive support, while private schools offer an individualized approach and additional opportunities, but for a significant fee. When choosing a school, you should carefully study all the options, take into account the peculiarities of the educational process in Calgary and provide your child with comfortable conditions for development and learning.