School Options Event: Building Schools in Existing Spaces - April 9th in Waterloo
Bridging the Alternative Education Gap
Over 200 parents and grandparents attended EMPOWR’s first School Options Open House On January 8, 2024. Keynote speakers David M. Haskell and Geoff Horsman engaged us with thought-provoking insights about the difference between education and indoctrination. They were followed by a panel of speakers who presented options for those families who want to leave our publicly funded school systems. The presenters shared their expertise about homeschooling, pods, forest schools, private schools, Christian schools and a multitude of resources. Additionally, there were dozens of information booths where parents could ask questions and take pamphlets.
Afterwards, attendees completed surveys through which we were able to assess the opinions and needs of families in the region.
Surveys were completed by 53 parents and 15 grandparents who represented 103 children and 39 grandchildren. Parents indicated that 43 of their children were already in an alternative education setting (25 in homeschools, 15 in private schools and 3 in forest or pod schools). Parents whose children were still in the public system expressed high interest in alternative schooling. The vast majority of these parents preferred faith-based education; in fact, 30 out of 34 surveys indicated a desire to leave the public system for a faith-based alternative school.
These parents were also asked what obstacles prevented them from moving forward with alternative schooling. Not surprisingly, the largest obstacle was affordability and the next largest barrier was transportation.
The analysis of this survey reflects similar information found on a larger Waterloo Region Polling survey from 2022, just prior to the last municipal election when 877 parents rated the Waterloo Region District School Board on how it delivers on its responsibilities. The analysis exposed deep dissatisfaction among users of the public education system. Overall 52% percent of parents in the region rated their experience with the school board as poor or very poor. Parents in Cambridge were the most dissatisfied with a whopping 69% of parents describing their experience of WRDSB as poor or very poor. Residents of Waterloo were more satisfied, but 39% of them also rated WRDSB services as poor or very poor.
This is strong evidence that many parents in Waterloo Region are deeply dissatisfied with their child’s experiences in the public system. We want changes or alternatives. Over the last two years, many parents have tried to express their concerns through democratic channels such as sending letters, freedom of information requests, voicing their concerns at board meetings, and even protesting. Unfortunately, the school board views these citizens with contempt, attempts to intimidate, and refuses to budge. Parents have run out of democratic avenues, are understandably frustrated and are considering alternative education.
Both the 2022 survey of 877 parents, and our smaller one on January 8 point to affordability as the biggest barrier to alternative education. This barrier is erected by government tax policies. In Ontario, parents who pay for private education must also support the public system with their taxes.
In addition, in the Canada of 2024, taxpayers are already financially burdened by bloated government spending, a housing crisis, very high taxes, high costs of food and also continuous carbon tax hikes. These financial realities make it nearly impossible for most families to afford the cost of private education tuition, which is usually over $10,000 for the first child alone.
There is a large accessibility gap in alternative school delivery. Although some parents can afford private education or are able to devote the time necessary to homeschool their children, many families can neither homeschool their children nor pay for private education. This is a large and complex problem that requires a multi-faceted, multi-year battle. Over the long term, we Ontarians who believe that the current monopoly on education is unacceptable need to organize a movement to secure viable options in education through charter schools, a voucher system or other creative solutions. Meanwhile, in the interim, our children and grandchildren need a healthier educational environment regardless of a parent’s ability to pay.
We continue to search for creative solutions to this conundrum so that children can have a proper education NOW. We have found some partners and possible stop-gap solutions. One of our happy discoveries is the Canadian Christian Education Movement (CCEM), which exists to support families by planting schools in existing spaces, such as churches. By working with an existing church community, CCEM hopes to help bootstrap a new school launch. EMPOWR and CCEM are collaborating with a local church to explore this possibility.
We are grateful for Kitchener Waterloo Christian Fellowship (KWCF), a lovely community which has agreed to have discussions with us about the possibility of hosting a school opening in their building. Join us at 7 pm on April 9 at KWCF at 1000 Bleams in Kitchener to be part of this exciting discussion!
This serves both as an extension of our School Options Open House, honing in on the option of creating schools in existing spaces within our community and also as progress in our original initiative to build alternative schools - It's an exciting time and there is no denying that good things are happening for our children!
We'll hear from Professor of History and Associate Dean of Humanities at Redeemer University, Kevin Flatt who will help us comprehend the imperative realization that schools are one of the most powerful forces that shape culture and society. We will hear from CCEM leaders and POWR working to make this a reality. There will be Q&A and feedback will be gathered from participants to ensure we're building, together, what our WR community needs and desires.
Whether you are part of the KWCF congregation and/or are able to use the KWCF space for a potential school for your child, are looking to know more about this opportunity for a church or space you know of, or are a church leader/owner of space that may be able to make such a concept work for our children - please come out and learn more!
No cost to attend but Space is limited so please register to secure your spot!