A recent report by the Fraser Institute aims to push back against the idea that private schools only cater to the “urban elite.”
The conservative-leaning think tank compiled a list of all the country’s independent schools, those that operate outside of the public system, and found the majority have a religious or alternative teaching approach.
Of B.C.’s 340 independent school, 188 have some type of religious affiliation. Half of the 188 schools are Christian, 42 per cent are Catholic, 3.2 per cent are Jewish, and 2.7 per cent are Islamic.
An additional 68 schools have a special emphasis on certain programs or a distinct teaching approach.
“Many British Columbians believe independent schools are all elite university-prep schools, but that’s simply not the case,” said Deani Van Pelt, co-author of the report.
In B.C., 12.3 per cent of all students in kindergarten to Grade 12 attended an independent school in 2013/2014.
“It’s time British Columbians understand and recognize the tremendous value and choice provided by independent schools to the education system and to families across the province," Van Pelt said.