In recent years, Canada has seen an increase in the number of independent schools. They have been popping up across the county as more people are becoming frustrated with the public school system. An independent school, often referred to as a private school, is a school that is not governed by the government. In other words, it does not rely on tax payer money to operate.

It can be funded buy such methods as student tuition, donations, gifts, endowments…etc. A Board of Directors will govern the particular independent school. There may be some government funding such as a grant, but it is still independent.

The terms of the school to operate usually include: graduating students will become productive members of society, it contains the curriculum to make students eligible for college and university, and it must meet the curriculum standards of the province where it resides.

In Canada, there are thousands of independent schools across the country. For instance, in Ontario, there are more than 900 Independent Schools with 120, 000 students enrolled. Private schools can be religious orientated, for example, there’s Christian, Boarding, Military, Day, Montessori, and Special needs school. Independent schools by region include Alberta, British Columbia, Maritimes, Ontario and Quebec private schools. Schools by city include Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria private schools.

The private school a parent chooses for their child will depend on their child’s particular needs. This can include location, budget, and the type of independent school such is as if they want to enroll the child in a Christian school. As well, when considering a boarding school, this type of school teaches, houses, and feeds the students. The students live at the private boarding school.

Parents choose private schools for a number of reasons. They are unhappy with the public education system and want their child to have a better education. They want their child to learn in a religious environment. There are particular programs such as an extensive music program that are not offered in public schools. They want the best educational tools available such as quality texts and educational materials, small classroom sizes, and a more personalized teaching method. As well, the parents would like to be more involved in their child’s education and the policies and programs being offered by the independent school.

There are now many private schools located across Canada to meet the needs of all Canadian students and their parents. Often times a student will have to take an entrance exam to gain admittance into an independent school, so it is important for parents to acquire the entrance criteria for entrance in the particular school that they are considering sending their child.