When considering moving away from public education, it can take a while to figure out all the options. Private schools offer a huge variety in terms of both offerings and quality. It is important to understand at least some of the basics before deciding which type of environment is right for any student.

The option most people are familiar with is religious education. For families with a strong backing in a religion that is popular in their area that can be a great choice. Unfortunately, just like anywhere else, there can be a big gap in academics from one facility to the next. Also, the religious focus can be off-putting to some, as can the teaching methods.

Those who prefer to keep their kids away from religion or at least not educated fully in the system may choose secular schools. There are a wide variety of secular schools. Some are highly academic, others focus more on the arts. Because they aren’t tied to any one religion they often don’t teach it at all, or at most as a component of history or literature.

Then there’s the day-student or boarding student choice. Day students go to class just like their public school counterparts, coming home after their activities every night. Day students can’t travel far for school, because they aren’t usually offered transportation, though parents may commute together. These academies are available across all grade levels, from kindergarten to graduation.

There are also places that offer boarding. Instead of going home every night, students live on campus. Some live there all week, others only while classes are in. With students living on campus, the parents can be anywhere, and these academies often have high numbers of international students and students with parents working overseas. Boarding is rarely offered to young students, though some may make exceptions. Few start younger than ten.

The majority offer some flavor of traditional education. Students study set subjects at set times with set study materials. They are tested on what they learn and on how they’re learning it. They offer the same courses as the public system, though often with more focus on excelling in those studies.

Some, though, offer a more alternative type of education. This includes student-led learning, schools with entirely free schedules, and those where there are no set levels. Students can do well in traditional or alternative education, though many parents are uncomfortable with the more wildly divergent types of alternative education offered at some.

Once the basic differences have been figured out, picking private schools gets easier. Parents know what they generally want for their children, educationally. Removing all the options that don’t fit leaves a much smaller pile to pick from. With the extra choices gone, the right one is easier to find, and a good choice can be made for the student and the parents.

A Toronto private school, offering a balanced curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten to grade 12.