Applying To Private School
While public schools do not have any admission requirements, private schools tend to be selective and require students to perform well on an assortment of different tests and assessments. These are to check for literacy, social skills, potential and any other metrics that may contribute to success. Some students become stressed and this hurts their chances, even before they begin. Collectively, we have helped hundreds of students navigate through this labyrinth, ensuring that they get the results that they are looking for. In this blog, we will explore the process, requirements and how to ensure success while applying to the most elite private schools, both in Canada and abroad.
Why Choose Private Schools?
The Ontario public system is highly respected but suffers from some issues. For example, there are not enough teachers to match the student body, which can cause problems when resources are spread too thin. Furthermore, the public system is funded by the government, which limits extracurriculars and other important events and activities. To ensure that your child-or children-have the best shot at securing a privileged university seat, it can be advantageous to consider the private route. The standards are high, if not higher than than the public route. Teachers tend to be advanced-degree holders, which often means having a masters degree or higher. Combined with smaller class sizes, a higher resource pool to draw on, students often receive a better education and are better positioned for the future. Of course, this depends on the student themselves and the format that best suits their unique learning profile.
What Kind of Questions Do They Ask?
Most private schools have an interview session, which comes after the written responses are submitted. They want to discern critical thinking skills, which is more than just reciting personal information. For example, they might ask about your family, like how many people live at home, what kind of jobs the adults do and what you like to do for fun. However, they can venture off from this “script” and ask open-ended questions, without a fixed answer. Perhaps they will ask, “what is one social issue that you feel is most relevant?” They are not looking for one word answer, rather a paragraph answer of sorts, answered in an oral format. In other words, they are looking to see if they understand the nature of the question, can provide a thesis, supporting evidence and bring it all together. Make sure that they are not rambling on too much, as this can reduce the impact of their carefully crafted response. If your family is not clear, the best bet is to consult with someone with proven experience, like the councillors here at Inspiration Learning Center.
Subject Matter Questions
Prior to being granted admission, the school may administer a subject-based assessment, which tests English, French, STEM and other core elements. While this examines a whole host of different arenas of learning, it can be facilitated with targeted tutoring. Some students come from diverse backgrounds, making it difficult to understand the local culture and communicate in a clear and effective manner. Rather than setting up a student for failure, we test our students in-house, allowing parents to see how their children compare with other students applying at the same private school. Often enough, students do very well in math but may suffer in English or French, bringing down their eligibility due to their performances being asymmetrical. The best bet is to understand where your child does well and to focus on areas where they struggle and need support. It is important to remember that not all students do well off the bat, with many requiring guidance, clarity and practice.
Targeted Private School Admissions Preparation
If you are seriously considering private school for your children, rest assured that you are making a fine choice. Perhaps you want to consider checking out a school of interest, going for a tour or meeting with a guidance counsellor. Be open about your questions, asking them what sort of requirements they are looking for and how to improve their chances of success. While they will not give you the questions for the test, they will give you a better idea of the process, especially what is needed prior to applying. We know that our students have the highest level of being approved, since our foundation program covers the exact areas needed to prepare for private school admission testing. If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we would love to meet with you either online or in person, at one of our 13 learning centers located across the country.