With a mission to inform, empower, celebrate and advocate for British Columbia's current and aspiring business leaders, BCBusiness go behind the headlines and bring readers face to face with the key issues and people driving business in B.C.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/740454
S P E C I A L F E A T U R E Set Up for Success The challenging and varied educational experiences Independent schools provide, help students develop the skills and character traits needed to thrive in the future B ritish Columbia boasts more than 60 private schools, offering everything from boarding schools and day schooling to coed, all- boys and all-girls schools. The many benefits of independent schools have been well documented and include a more diverse approach to education, a positive learning environment for each and every child and open communication between students, parents and administration. According to the latest Statistics Canada study, independent high-school students score significantly higher than public high- school students on reading, mathematics and science assessments at age 15, and have higher levels of educational attainment by age 23. Trying to decide on the right school for your child, however, can be a daunting task. Resources, including The Independent Schools Association of British Columbia ( ISABC) and Our Kids Media, provide step- by-step guides to assist parents in finding the school that "fits" their child. Independent schools aim to bring out the best in their students through programs that target students' unique learning needs and interests. Vancouver Island's Brentwood College School is an independent coed boarding school that attracts students from Grades 8 to 12 due to its innovative approach, university preparatory programs and breathtaking oceanfront setting. Brentwood's unique tripartite system provides students with access to an impressive variety of educational options, and creates an environment that assists students in developing their own effective learning strategies. Using the constantly evolving tripartite system that balances academics, arts and athletics, Brentwood takes a progressive all-inclusive approach. Just last year, Brentwood created an Academic Plan that includes five commitments: thinking, global mindedness, being learner-centred, being experiential and providing inspirational teaching. This year, students and teachers will look to live out that plan. "Our goal is to foster globally minded students who embrace the values of grit and joy. Grit means taking a realistic approach and preparing students for life. We work to maintain the balance between encouraging students to become independent learners and experiencing failure, while providing the necessary support to allow them to succeed," says Cheryl Murtland, director of academics. Brentwood consistently seeks new ways (Left to right) Brentwood College is always in search of new ways to elevate its students' learning experi- ence ; Urban Academy connects its curriculum to technology, the arts and outdoor education I N D E P E N D E N T S C H O O L S