I N D E P E N D E N T S C H O O L S
S P E C I A L F E A T U R E
Educational Advantage
There are numerous choices if parents choose to place their children
in independent schools: an independent-school education oers
the necessary skills needed to meet the demands of an increasingly
technological and global world
W
hile nding the right
educational institution may
seem daunting, there is a free
resource available to assist:
Our Kids Media is one of the
best means for parents
searching for a private school for their child.
It is Canada's only free and largest website
dedicated solely to private education.
"Our Kids provides honest, third-party
information and research tools, allowing
parents to e ciently and quickly gain a
sense of their schooling options, as well
as insight into the process of nding
the academic environment that best
supports their learner," says Our Kids
Media managing editor Agnes Stawicki.
"OurKids.net has information about
schools not found on any other website, in
an easy to compare format, making
researching schools so much easier for
parents and students."
Once parents have evaluated their
children's needs, they can visit fairs, such
as the 12th Annual Our Kids Private School
Expos on Nov. 19 at the Vancouver Sheraton
Wall Centre. Forums like these provide an
opportunity to meet with exhibiting
private schools and education consultants.
"Meeting with many schools in one
afternoon is so helpful. Many families
attending the Our Kids Private School
Expo do so because of the workshops and
panel
Q&As on school choice, nancial
planning, and navigating the application
process," adds Stawicki.
Harkness philosophy
Since Southridge School opened its doors
in South Surrey in 1995, it has looked for
creative and forward-thinking ways to
PHOTO
COUR
T
ESY
SOU
T
HRIDGE
Students at Southridge explore
many educational avenues, from
academia to arts, in their pursuit
of creativity and success. Pictured
here, Grade 12 student Danni Ma's
pencil and soft charcoal work
