How long have you been working in secondary education?
In the field of education - since 2000, in the field of secondary education - since 2009.
Why are Canadian schools so popular with families around the world?
Canadian schools are distinguished not only by the quality of their education, but also by their approach to respectful personal development. In a Canadian school, you will not hear rudeness or shouting, which, unfortunately, are so familiar to our schools, they are great at preparing for Western universities.
Why do parents value Canada's primary and secondary schools so much?
I have three of my children in elementary school. It is very important for me to understand that my children are happy to go to school. The school has less cramming and violence against the person and a huge amount of project activities. Children are not so much trying to "saturate" with knowledge, as they are taught independent and analytical thinking, creativity and emotional intelligence. For example, it was in a Canadian school that my children became interested in drawing, music, reading, and after every weekend they cannot wait for the start of a new week. This is an indicator for me. To my delight, homework is rarely given - however, it is expected that at home the child will read books for at least half an hour a day.
In high school (9-12), there is much more study and homework. However, a definite plus is the availability of an individual curriculum. Children have a certain number of compulsory subjects (18 out of 30), the rest they study, based on their interests and the specialization that they will study in universities. In addition, schools have “advisors” who help to determine the profession and the choice of the university.
TOP Canadian boarding school rankings - what criteria are they based on? How accurate is it today?
There are no official school rankings (as universities) in Canada; many of the private rankings are paid for by schools that want to be included. I think we need to look at the opportunities that the school provides - living conditions, the number of people in the class, the percentage of admission to universities, the availability of additional programs (STEM, art, etc.), the presence of IB, participation in Olympiads.
What would you say is the most important when choosing a Canadian school?
Based on my experience, parents are primarily interested in the quality of education, an individual approach, the price of education, the presence of their own residence within walking distance, as well as the ability to quickly resolve all emerging issues with a Russian-speaking representative.
When is the best time to apply to schools in Canada? What should applicants prepare for?
It is best to apply before March to start studying in July or September. However, our school allows you to start studying 4 times a year, so there is a certain percentage of children who start their studies in January - they can come to us in the summer.
Grades and interviews are usually sufficient for admission to the Canadian education system, but entrance exams are required to enter the IB program.
What subjects have been most commonly chosen in recent years?
Our students always choose English and Math, many take business, science, programming and STEM.
How has COVID-19 changed the student population at your school? How do educational institutions help students during this period?
Of course, all schools were affected by the epidemic, some were closed, but many stayed afloat. For example, in our school, the number of students dropped from 350 to 185: not everyone was ready to study online, some could not because of the time difference. However, now the borders are open and many have begun to come to study offline.
Is it difficult to get a scholarship for talented students? What discounts do you usually provide?
A talented student, of course, can count on a scholarship, its size varies from school to school. For example, at the London International Academy we can give a scholarship of up to 50% of the tuition fee. On average, children from Russia who come to us receive 25-50% of the scholarship. Each region has its own scholarships, and Russia received the maximum number.
What age do foreign students usually enter Canadian schools?
16-17 years old students come more often, but we also have applicants 14-15 years old.
Do all schools provide ESL courses for foreign students? How important is it?
Most schools have a multi-stage system of teaching English as a foreign language. This is especially important, since students have the opportunity to study the grammar of the language and in a short time improve their English to the level of academic English for 11 and 12 grades.
How much money do parents save for additional expenses besides tuition and living expenses?
It is very difficult to say, as all children have different needs. At London International Academy, the price includes all additional costs, so that parents only have to give money for pocket money - from $ 100 to $ 500 per month.
What aspects and criteria do parents consider when choosing a school, in addition to academic success?
Accommodation conditions, sports opportunities, catering and additional clubs and clubs organized by the school, proximity to the school of residences or host families are very important.
What advice would you give to potential students before entering a Canadian school and why?
I would recommend talking to the school representatives for the most up-to-date information. Perhaps there have been some changes in the school. Ideally, before applying for the IB program, it is advisable to undergo IELTS preparation and pass it in order to sensibly evaluate your strengths.
