| Parents who are concerned about their children's ability | | | | schools are private schools, but not all private schools |
| to get into college are interested in seeing what options | | | | are preparatory schools. |
| Toronto private schools have to offer. One of the | | | | All private schools, whether or not they are prep |
| confusing items surrounding private school in Toronto is | | | | schools, charge tuition. In most cases, a preparatory |
| the difference between a private school and a | | | | school will have a high tuition requirement, because |
| preparatory school. While many private schools are | | | | they are considered one of the best ways to prepare |
| also considered prep schools, not all of them qualify for | | | | for college. In fact, some Toronto independent school |
| this label. | | | | options have tuition costs comparable to a college or |
| What is a Preparatory School | | | | university. Some have scholarship programs available |
| A preparatory school is a private school, independent | | | | for students with qualifying GPAs. |
| of the Toronto public school system, that is designed | | | | Choosing an Independent School |
| to get students ready for college. Every aspect of the | | | | Parents who are interested in prep schools need to do |
| school is designed for college prep. Academics are | | | | their research before enrolling their students, because |
| emphasized more than extra-curricular activities, | | | | not all prep schools have the success statistics that |
| although extra-curriculars are available. This type of | | | | would be assumed based on the cost of tuition. Ask |
| Toronto independent school typically has low | | | | the school for their statistics relating to the number of |
| student-to-teacher ratios. Because of this, the teachers | | | | students who went on to complete a college or |
| are able to give the students more attention than they | | | | university program. Find out if the school has any |
| would likely receive in a public school. This, in theory, will | | | | records about the number of students who qualified |
| give the students a better instructional environment. | | | | for academic scholarships in college. Choose a |
| Some prep schools are also boarding schools. Both | | | | preparatory school that has excellent numbers |
| local and out-of-town students can take advantage of | | | | indicating the future success of their students. |
| the boarding option. By living at school, students are | | | | Also, look for a school that has a well-rounded |
| able to focus more on their academics without the | | | | education. Some prep schools focus so strongly on |
| distractions of home. Some prep schools are gender | | | | academics that students are not taught other |
| specific, another tactic that is designed to eliminate | | | | important life skills, such as proper physical fitness or |
| distractions from academics. | | | | financial planning on a personal budget level. While |
| Many Toronto prep schools are just high schools, | | | | getting an education that prepares the child for college |
| without a junior high or elementary. Some of the more | | | | is important, it is just as important to prepare a child for |
| elite schools will have a full program, but many parents | | | | real life, because not all students will attend college, no |
| choose this option only for the last four years of high | | | | matter how well intentioned the parents and the school |
| school, as this is when the preparation for the | | | | are. |
| university scene really begins. | | | | Once you find a school that has excellent success |
| What Is a Private School? | | | | reports combined with a well-rounded education, you |
| A private school in Toronto is simply a school that is | | | | have probably found the right school. Apply early, |
| independent from the Toronto public school system. | | | | because most Toronto private schools fill up quickly, |
| This can be a preparatory school, but it may not be. | | | | and some prep schools have stringent enrolment |
| Some Toronto private schools have a completely | | | | requirements. By choosing the right school carefully, |
| different focus, such as a Montessori approach to | | | | you will prepare your student for college as well as |
| education or a vocational training focus. Preparatory | | | | you possibly can. |