SCHOOL FOR THOUGHT

Private Schooling at Public Prices

Consider this good news story in the Toronto Star.  No public school ESL for this very brave girl.

       "Roya was packed and ready to fly to Canada to continue her high school education in safety at Ottawa's Ashbury College.  It is one of the country's leading private schools, which prides itself on a progressive and caring learning environment."

There is even a fundraising effort for the tuition.  Now I hardly think the Star chose this school because they wanted to keep her among the elites of Ottawa.

Here's another good news story in the National Post about an alternative public school in the northwest corner of Toronto that appears to be succeeding.  It is one that we would encourage the TDSB to multipy and prosper.  Well actually, we did years ago when we arranged for Angus McBeath of Edmonton school fame to meet with the board.  Now it seems that some smart trustees listened and hired someone like Spence to carry out the vision.  Humberwood Downs, for those who don't know the city, is in an area of high immigrant population, low income, and high needs.  Parents are choosing it for many reasons, including the obvious one of location, but one parent put it best:

       “We thought about a private school,” continues Mr. Mehta. “But all the things we are looking for are available in this school."

 If a board won't provide alternatives, then parents should have access to private or public education alternatives. The point is private schools are not all for the elite and public schools ("for the common good") don't have to look like this either.