EDUCATION

By Sarah Moore

Welcome to the second annual Great Schools project.

Once again we turned to you for recommendations for the best elementary and middle schools in the country. And you responded — boy, did you respond! We received more than 600 nominations. Your nominations were passionate and filled with inspiring stories of innovation and excellence in the classroom.

From those nominations, we’ve named 40 schools from across Canada that shine because of their teachers, extracurriculars, attention to students with special needs, community involvement and more.

What makes a school great? We’ve identified 10 categories — the result of research from a panel of 60 educational experts, including principals, guidance counsellors, teachers and, of course, parents. Our top schools are divided among these 10 categories.

Some of our favourites: the school so devoted to promoting good nutrition among its students it has fresh-baked muffins available at daily nutrition breaks. We also heard about one school where students learn to play djembe drums, schools with butterfly gardens and outdoor classrooms, and still others that have forged unique relationships with their communities, whether it be the local zoo or a seniors’ home.

Some themes emerged from the nominations we collected this year. A lot of schools have launched Pay It Forward programs — students conferring acts of kindness “forward” to others.

Some of our favourite nominations were written by students: “I love my school,” wrote one grade-three child. “It’s the best because we get to take skipping ropes outside at recess.”

“My school rocks,” wrote another. “I was named Student of the Month last week!”

What does our Great Schools report mean for you? This year we’ve included stories with suggestions on how to make your elementary and middle school experience the best it can be for your kids. Our hope is that you will find ideas to spark the imagination and inspire you to get involved in your children’s school.

Originally published in Today's Parent, September 2005