| Back to School! | |
|
Heading back to school means making decisions about programs and courses. For younger students, this usually entails themselves or their parents making a choice between attending a school that is part of the Edmonton Public Schools or the Edmonton Separate School systems. The Separate system is Roman Catholic in faith orientation -- teachers have to sign a statement of faith before accepting employment, and first priority is given to Catholic students. However, in some cases, if there is space available, the schools will accept students who are not Catholic. Some examples of Catholic schools include the high school Archbishop MacDonald and the elementary/junior high Blessed Kateri.
The EPSB, which emcompasses students and teachers of a wide range of faiths and cultures, has gotten even more diverse in recent years. Many charter schools, which are schools based on a specific faith (for example, Christianity or Judaism), or curriculum approach (such as a "back-to-basics" program focussing only on the core subjects - language arts, math, science and social studies). The Logos Christian schools exemplifies the charter school mandate, as does the Talmud Torah, a Hebrew bilingual school which focusses on Jewish culture and tradition. There are also private schools that are not affiliated with either the Public or Separate systems, such as Meadowlark Christian School and the Lucy Baker School, which is a high school for girls. Private schools are an option for parents who want their children receiving a specific kind of education, which they are willing to pay extra dollars for. After graduation from high school, there are many post-secondary options for further education. Usually these decisions have to be made well ahead of graduation, as spaces in universities and colleges are limited, especially for certain programs. Many Edmonton-based students attend the University of Alberta not only because it is a world-class institution known for emphasis on research -- but for the obvious reason of a convenient location. Ditto for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, which has one and two-year programs geared for those entering a trade. Grant MacEwan Community College offers a university transfer program for those who want to get their degree but don't yet feel comfortable attending the large campus. Instead, these students can take their first two years of their Arts or Science degree in a much more personal atmosphere. GMCC also has diploma programs for various professions such as journalism and business. Finally, perhaps you are an adult who does not wish to go back to school for a full degree, but who would like to take some courses for personal or professional development. Many Edmonton-area colleges offer courses that are taught in the evenings or weekends. Course catalogues are often sent through the mail, so keep an eye on your mailbox. Edmonton has a lot of educational options that are as diverse as the city itself. Take a look at all the options and make the best choice for you and your family.
