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標題: Comparing Elementary / High school in Vancouver [打印本頁]
作者: nikonian    時間: 2008-2-27 12:42     標題: Comparing Elementary / High school in Vancouver

Hi Hi,

Check I check with you guys, other than the Fraser Institute report, is there any place / discussion / forum that can gather information about how good / bad a particular school?  Are the one in 'more wealthy' area, like west end, UBC, etc.. be better?

My wife and I are running into a 'fierce' discussions on whether public school / private school / religion-based ( Catholic / Christian ) is our choice.  Sigh.

Thanks thanks!
作者: fibbi    時間: 2008-2-28 12:10

In my opinion, there are always some "funky" (or lousy) students in any school. If you don't want to SEE student smoking outside the school, perhaps you would want to choose private. However, "Yun Yee" from private school still get caught smoking. So it's a matter of public school u "see" these students but private school they may just "hide" the "bad" things. West side or East side...I would be biased for school in West side because I do think that if family in general is more well off, they would spend more time on kid and thus kid would be more properly behaved. Having said that, I knew students from Winderxxxx Highshcool which is almost on the bottom of the Fraser Institute list, all 3 people I know go to UBC or SFU and no "bad habit". So I guess family support is equally important.

Also, it's a matter of if you are financial capable of sending kids to private school...it's not cheap...
作者: nikonian    時間: 2008-2-28 12:36

Thanks Fibbi, my friend

I didn't grow up here, that's why I have no idea how the education system works.  I'm not trying to 'classify' people by income and living area, but as you said the more education the parents are having the likelihood that they will put more effort or concern to kids education.  That also contribute to the percentage of kids that are more 'discipline' vs more 'free'.

I'm not expecting myself 'throwing the ball' to school and hands off, and hope she will be doing fine.  All I want is to have a good peer group and possibly parents with same expectations ( thus contribution ).  

I don't want to go too extreme -- top ( or celebrity ) private schools are not just unaffordable -- also not reachable by my 'status'.  Your car, your address, your occupation are all 'statuses' that ppl / kids are comparing.
作者: celeron_266    時間: 2008-2-28 13:05

i did my high school here since grade 9 and my bro start kindergarten here...he is in grade 6 now

what i find is that in here public high schools is ok...after all its more up to yourself after grade 10 to get into an university...however....public elementary schools here is just PLAIN LOUSY....including the teachers...the curriculum...and the school materials....i am sure that if my bro study in a hk public primary school...he will learn MUCH MORE in terms of "real knowledge" (such as basic math and science...and language)...i have no idea about private elementary schools here so i cant comment on them...i expect that it will be better

so....if i have a kid...i will try my best to bring him/her to a private school for elementary years...make sure that he/she have knowledge that is comparable in amount to a hk student who graduate primary school (and of course with much better english than hk students)...then...it will be up to him/her to decide whether he/she want to go public or private....(of course a public high school will be better cuz i dont have to pay for it)....
作者: nikonian    時間: 2008-2-28 13:19

I know it's an endless debate which system are better.

One thing that I really feel bad is -- when I'm taking bus to work, those kids that take buses will have their feet on seats, backpack occupying another one, and if ppl say 'excuse me' what they receive is an angry stare and slllllooooowwwwlllyyyy remove the feet/bag.  Of course that includes kids from public school and catholic school nearby.

I just hope my daughter won't be one of them... sigh.
作者: fibbi    時間: 2008-2-28 15:08

I didn't attend elementary school here so I can't comment. I have seen my cousin sending kids to private elementary and more home work for sure, and more parent involvement is needed (e.g. those parents' night, voluntary work etc.)
During my 3 years high school education here (in public school), I do think that it's ok, the course material covers less than HK but deeper (if u know what I mean). I have met quite a lot of good teachers as well.
作者: shutterbug    時間: 2008-2-28 16:20

原帖由 nikonian 於 2008-2-28 13:19 發表
One thing that I really feel bad is -- when I'm taking bus to work, those kids that take buses will have their feet on seats, backpack occupying ...

Haha...get used to it...it's "normal" here with kids, especially boys...LOL  They're a lot rougher and dirtier than HK boys.  Wrestling/running around during lunch/breaks is common.  If it's raining outside, expect your kid to come back with mud covered pants and shirts...

In generally, I think it's more self-direct here so your own motivation is the most important.  Teachers won't push you if you don't want to learn; afterall it's just a "job".  Private school OTOH, they collect your money so they need to do something to prove that your money is not wasted.
作者: celeron_266    時間: 2008-2-28 17:01

原帖由 shutterbug 於 2008-2-28 16:20 發表

In generally, I think it's more self-direct here so your own motivation is the most important.  Teachers won't push you if you don't want to learn; afterall it's just a "job


thats the problem!....this wont work for elementary schools cuz at that age...kids dont know how to self-initiate....someone has to tell them to do their studying!
作者: Intelstan    時間: 2008-2-28 23:31

If the child is accepted into a good private school, then of course that will be a better choice than public schools.  The reason why private schools are better is because they only accept the good students (or students with rich parents) in order to keep up their reputation.  The top choices of universities would be students from private schools too.

But of course, like others have stated, a student can achieve well anywhere as long as they have good self regulation.
作者: shutterbug    時間: 2008-2-29 08:38

原帖由 celeron_266 於 2008-2-28 17:01 發表


thats the problem!....this wont work for elementary schools cuz at that age...kids dont know how to self-initiate....someone has to tell them to do their studying!

I guess you must not have seen self motivated kids.  Kids are old enough to motivate themselves, but in which area that's the question...LOL  e.g. kids are so motivated when they're playing video games   A kid must learn how to learn on his own and motivate himself.  That's just part of a successful life.  If the teahcers don't teach that in public school, it's up to the parent to inject that idea in their kid's brain!  The fact is that lots of kids in public school get very good acedamic achivements and they're not necessarily the smartest bunch of the group.  Pressuring the kids won't work in the long term.  Once in univercity, nobody is going to care about you except for youself.  Parents can't hold their kids' hands forever!
作者: celeron_266    時間: 2008-2-29 10:05

原帖由 shutterbug 於 2008-2-29 08:38 發表

I guess you must not have seen self motivated kids.  Kids are old enough to motivate themselves, but in which area that's the question...LOL  e.g. kids are so motivated when they're playing video gam ...

true..they have to learn self motivation...but i dont expect elementary school students to have such motivation to study on their own...i am sure some kids have it...and its nice...but i think that only a small portion of elementary students to have such qualities (like you said...i expect them to be more motivated to play video games than studying)...so...if the kid have to motivation....any school is fine...if not...it will be better to leave this to the professionals (ie private school teachers) to put the knowledge into their brain...so that the kids will still know the stuff even though they are more motivated to other activities...of course parents have to play a part in the process as well

for high school...since i expect students to have such motivation to study...thats why either private/public high school is fine....if the student is good....different schools wont make a difference
作者: Retro    時間: 2008-3-2 21:09

Having worked in the public sector and now in the catholic private school sector, one biggest noticeable difference is the moral teaching given through religion studies.  Things I find more important over academics as a human being.  Moral teachings such as what's right from wrong, consideration, remorse, respect.  (Most students in my school are not catholic, FYI) In the private sector there are more extra curricular activities - eg. out-sourced tennis instructor starting from grade 4 level, young writers club, leadership groups, etc.  (I personally did not get to learn tennis until grade 10, studying in the public system)

For highschool, if your child is extremely brilliant and talented and have the potential to go to a high caliber university, I personally would recommend going through the private sector as well.  Those universities look for a lot more than academics - extra-curricular activities (eg. debating club, volunteering groups, chamber choir, orchestra/band, school reps, etc) are also essential.  Public schools may not be as well endowed in providing these opportunities.  

Having said that I went through the public system all my life and I'd like to think that I turned out quite alright.   

That's my 2 cents! Goodluck!
作者: nikonian    時間: 2008-3-3 09:56

I also bring up this topic to coworkers, and most are not a big fan of private ( private, not Catholic / Christian ).  Simply because we're not that rich group of people in town -- i.e. the 'Status' of the parents ( i.e. us ) aren't good enough to let the kids blend nicely to his/her peers.  Also, one funny example is 'a field trip to Gutamala to watch Volcano' -- man… that sounds like a 4000 bucks field trip for a week on top of the high tuition fees.

Since I'm not Catholic / Christian, it's quite hard to get onto the Catholic / Christian schools ( correct me if I'm wrong ).  So, the best I can work out is to find a good and reputatable public school la.

Who say everyone is equal in Canada?  Ha ha ha ( then sigh sigh sigh ).



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