A recent study by the Fraser Institute reveals a growing trend of families choosing independent schools over government-run public schools for their kindergarten to grade 12 children across Canada. Over the past two decades, there has been a decline in public school enrollment in all provinces, with British Columbia experiencing the most significant decrease.
Pacific Spirit School (PSS) is a unique educational community catering to elementary and high school students. Co-principal David Darling emphasizes the school’s small size, providing a safe and nurturing environment where every child is valued and seen.
Parents like Kristin Hopkins express relief in finding a secure place like PSS for their children, where exploration-based learning fosters curiosity. The school’s focus on smaller class sizes enables strong teacher-student relationships, as noted by Vice-Principal Kyla Kinzel.
Study author Paige MacPherson suggests that the shift towards independent schools in British Columbia may stem from dissatisfaction with public education quality, such as declining assessment scores and safety concerns. Some parents, including Marcelo Mota, cite individualized attention and a less overwhelming pace of learning as reasons for choosing private schools.
Students at PSS, like Grade 11 student Oscar and Grade 9 student Yash, appreciate the personalized attention, inclusive environment, and innovative schedule that allows for exploration of their interests.
The report indicates that 13.2% of students in British Columbia are now enrolled in independent schools, reflecting a significant increase in private school attendance.
