| Young parents looking for the best school for | | | | tour with the principal or another school |
| their children often search for school rankings. In | | | | representative. Events such as the Vancouver |
| fact, every month over 8000 parents type | | | | Private School Expo allow parents to meet |
| 'school rankings' or related searches into a Google | | | | face-to-face with teachers and other |
| search window. In Canada, the conservative think | | | | representatives from a variety of schools. |
| tank the Fraser Institute puts out annual Report | | | | The answer to the question, "what is the best |
| Cards ranking all the schools in each Canadian | | | | educational environment for our child" ought to be |
| province, with private schools often ranking at or | | | | treated with the same gravity as the purchase of |
| near the top of most of these lists. | | | | a new home or a career change. |
| But can schools truly be ranked? And how helpful | | | | Arthur Ryan is one parent who was satisfied that |
| are these rankings to anyone, no matter what | | | | he and his wife spent a long time choosing the |
| level or kind of education they are looking for? | | | | right school for their daughter. Primary factors in |
| School authorities themselves insist on cautioning | | | | their decision were answers to the questions: |
| against any kind of rankings. | | | | Can the school articulate its vision, values and |
| Several years ago, when his institution was | | | | mission statement simply and with clarity? |
| ranked number one in a Fraser Institute Report | | | | Would our child's needs be best served by a |
| Card, Headmaster Hugh Burke of Meadowridge | | | | single-gender or coed learning experience? |
| School (near Vancouver, BC), was more "appalled" | | | | What values are reflected in the scheduling of |
| than pleased. Jack Rice, Principal at a Canadian | | | | academic and extracurricular activities? |
| Montessori school, says he tells parents to put | | | | Every child and family has unique needs and |
| away their check book until they tell him why | | | | values. These certainly begin with the academic |
| they think his school is right for their child. Gord | | | | and social life of the individual child. Other practical |
| Allan, one time Principal in Vancouver says, | | | | considerations that cannot be ignored might |
| "There's no such thing as the number one school. | | | | include driving distance, tuition rates and boarding |
| But there is such a thing as the best school for | | | | fees. Of course, there are many others as well. In |
| your child." | | | | the end, school ranking should have very limited |
| School open houses allow parents to get a feel | | | | influence on parents' decision, as teachers and |
| for the life of the school. Parents can also take a | | | | experienced parents strongly agree. |