Private Canadian Boarding Schools Rankings - How Important are they in Choosing a School?

Some countries put a great deal of emphasis on school rankings, especially when it comes to tertiary level education. But how important are they, really? And more importantly, are these rankings even reliable?

Most of the time, school rankings are ‘unofficial’ and are produced by independent bodies--book and magazine publishers, for example, who sell the results to the public. This is why rankings may differ widely from one source to the next. If you are looking for a boarding school in Canada, don’t rely on school rankings alone. They shouldn't be considered the only indicators of the quality of education that an institution offers. We are not saying that these rankings are unreliable, because for the most part, they are. But because the ranking criteria vary greatly, your decision shouldn't be based solely on which school ranks best or is rated ‘number 1’ by certain publications. Have a look at several Canadian private school rankings in order to see the bigger picture.

Parents are highly encouraged to look at other factors and not limit themselves to the ranking of a specific school or program. If you are looking for a private Canadian boarding school for your child, remember:

• Every school is unique. Rankings are often about comparing certain characteristics and pitting data. Unless ranking criteria are adjusted so as to consider each unique characteristic of every school included in the list, they might not be as reliable as doing the weighing yourself. Additionally, rankings often do not include every school in the state/country—just a few select schools. This means that smaller institutions with equally good curriculum are often left out.

• The ‘right fit’ outweighs any ranking. Your child has unique talents and inclinations—whether it’s in the arts, sciences, or any other field. He or she might not flourish in an ill-fitting private school, no matter how highly ranked it is. As a parent, it’s your duty to look beyond the Canadian boarding school rankings and see what each institution really offers.

• Comparing specific aspects make more sense than ranking schools based on arbitrary criteria. To truly determine the strengths and weaknesses of a school’s programs, the quality of its facilities, its educational structure, and the overall benefits it can offer your child, you need to seek the help of a boarding school placement expert who can give you a more comprehensive picture.

About the author:

This article is written by Margaret Kos, CEO of Best Boarding Schools Worldwide. Best Boarding Schools is a full-service educational service provider. They are guiding students and their families as they seek educational consulting advice to search for best international boarding schools. They contact the families with guardians all over the world. They also offer finding the right tutoring services during the private boarding school placement and college admissions process.

Best Boarding Schools is a global London based boarding schools placements consultancy. We present top boarding schools on our website. We are assisting parents to choose the best boarding schools in United States, England, Switzerland and many other