Choosing a school based on children’s learning interests

STEM-oriented kids’ school fit: key take-homes

• Since big schools have larger student populations, they often have more STEM programs, classes, and supplementaries than smaller schools. Small schools, meanwhile, often have smaller classes with plenty of individualized learning and support, giving your child more freedom to pursue their interest in STEM, with close supervision.
• Girls’ schools enable your daughter to pursue her interest in STEM subjects in an environment potentially free of gender stereotypes and false narratives, such as “boys are better than girls at math.”
• Many boys' schools have a special focus on STEM learning. They offer STEM courses and extracurriculars that will enable your son to pursue his passions and refine his skills.
• Montessori schools’ child-centred, self-directed focus gives kids the flexibility to pursue their interests and dive deeply into STEM subjects. That said, ensure a school doesn’t allow your child to focus on these subjects to the detriment of others.
• The Reggio Emilia approach to teaching science, math, and other STEM subjects is inquiry-based and involves lots of hands-on learning and exploration, which many kids find stimulating. 
• Some students may find it challenging to learn STEM subjects in a second language, as they would in most language immersion schools. 

To access far more detailed information about STEM-oriented kids’ school fit, read our in-depth guide.

Arts-oriented kids’ school fit: key take-homes

• Small schools often have smaller classes with plenty of individualized learning and support, which can give your arts-oriented child the freedom to pursue their creative interests with close supervision and guidance. Since big schools have larger student populations, they often have more arts programs, classes, productions, and staff than smaller schools.
• In a coed environment, your child can widen their perspective and enhance their creative development by learning from the experiences of boys and girls 
• In a boys’ school, your son can pursue his interest in the arts in an environment potentially less shaped by gender stereotypes and false narratives, such as “girls are more suited to the arts than boys.”
• If you’re considering a Montessori school for your arts-oriented child, make sure to look into its policies regarding the arts and creativity. The Montessori approach is not known for encouraging certain kinds of creative pursuits: for instance, many Montessori schools don’t include fiction in the curriculum or offer dedicated art classes (though they do encourage creativity in other ways).
• Many arts-oriented children are curious and unconventional learners, and prefer more scope for creativity than language immersion schools sometimes allow.

To access far more detailed information about arts-oriented kids’ school fit, read our in-depth guide.