Priscilla Whitehead had just moved to Montreal from the United States when her triplets were about to enter Grade 1. After considering a lot of schools and options, Whitehead and her husband decided to enroll their three daughters at Lower Canada College, a coeducational private school.

"My older brother's children went to private school in Washington and I was impressed by the quality of education they received, and the positive atmosphere in a private school that learning is 'cool,' " Priscilla says. "I wanted to send my children to a private school in the primary years because that's when you're really going to get that good foundation."

"If children have a positive experience in Grade 1, they come out feeling confident and you just keep going with that. I think it has a lifelong impact," she says.

Her daughters, Alexandra, Danova and Katin, have finished Grade 2 and their younger brother Nikolas is starting in kindergarten at LCC. "My daughters have had a wonderful experience there. The teachers are just fantastic. I go to a parent/teacher night and the teachers are just so excited. They really care for the kids."

Priscilla said she was also impressed by the range of extracurricular activities offered at a private school, which creates many opportunities for students to find a niche where they can shine.

The mother of four plans to keep her children in private schools all the way through to high school. "I am willing to make sacrifices. I told my husband I would sell my car to send my kids to school and I did," Priscilla says.