Never thought choosing a school for Sehaj starting this September would be so mind-boggling.
The following was my order of preference:
Southridge Junior School (private) - http://www.southridge.bc.ca/
Sehaj did very well in her student assessment which lasted 45 minutes. She told me all about it. The parent interview went quite well too. Don't know what went wrong. Actually, the chances were quite slim, given that they have only 32 seats, out of which they are 50-50 for girls and boys. Plus, they give preference to siblings that are already enrolled. And not to mention the no. of applications that they get. They have a 30% intake rate (3 out of 10 applicants get through). Anyway, we'll try once more when Kabir is ready for Kindergarten and Sehaj will be in Grade 4.
UBC child care (private) - http://www.childcare.ubc.ca/
Both the kids are on UBC's child care waiting list since January 2006 - believe it or not. Yeah, that's true...I was half-way through pregnancy when I registered Kabir :-O I called them earlier this week and they said that we cannot guarantee a space for either. They have a Kindergarten cum daycare option that I was interested for Sehaj. And the day care centres for infants/toddlers are packed. I knew that the average waiting-list was 18 months...that's how Sehaj got in initially. So, as of today, I have started to look for a Nanny.
Cornerstone Montessori School (private) - http://www.cornerstone-montessori.ca/
After much waiting...I've finally registered Sehaj in Kindergarten here. She wanted to get into the morning class because her best friend is in it. But, the morning class was all full (there is hope though...as I'm first on the waiting list). The only drawback for this option is that they don't have a Gym in the school. Guess I'll have to take her to numerous other activities on the side.
Coyote Creek Elementary School (public) - http://www.sd36.bc.ca/coyotecreek/
I've registered Sehaj here too, just in case we change our mind and want to put her in a public school. They are having a Parents meeting in mid- April (kinda like an open-house). Sehaj is no. 46...they have a morning/afternoon session of 22 students each. So, don't know which one if any
we'll get. The secretary sounded quite hopeful cuz, she said that a lot goes on between now and Sept....she said afternoon session is most-likely guaranteed.
Just when I was registering Sehaj for Grade K in the morning/afternoon session this week, I had this very weird idea - that couldn't she do both at public/private schools. So, I asked one of the secretarys' and she said that this trend started last year. And this year there are 2 kids that are doing the Grade K hop (that's my term for it). The only downside is that because the govt. gives a grant to public schools and not private if the kid does both...i'll have to pay an additional $140 to make up for that. Not bad, we may go for it. Sehaj is all excited...for a social person she is ...more friends she has...the merrier she is. Plus, it's only 2.5 hrs at each school. And the schools are near our house...just have to find the right nanny now.
I've spent a lot of time browsing the net to find answers. Here are a few links that I found useful.
FSA reports by school - http://edudata.educ.ubc.ca/index.html
Education and School Report Cards section - http://www.fraserinstitute.ca
Invest in kids - http://www.investinkids.ca/
Independent schools - http://www.fisabc.ca/directory/index.php
Parents section - http://bctf.ca/
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