More than 300 independent schools have opened in three years, all without costing Ontario taxpayers a dime

$30.6 billion. That’s the price tag to send Ontario students back to school this fall. Across Ontario, school doors are now open including those of a few brand-new schools as part of the government’s commitment to fund 30 “new and expanded” schools.

It’s a welcome investment to address overcrowding, facility deficits and other challenges within the public boards. But not all of Ontario’s students will be attending these schools. Increasingly, parents are choosing alternative options to the publicly funded system. The government is funding 30 new schools but, across Ontario, more than 300 new independent schools have been started in just the last three years, all at no cost to the public purse. The independent sector in Ontario, boasting 1,675 recognized schools, supports more than 160,000 of Ontario’s students—about one in 12 K-12 learners.

“Edupreneurs,” as they’ve been dubbed in policy circles, are a growing presence in education. Some are former public school teachers who have a vision for education that they want to bring to life. Other schools grow organically out of parent initiatives or are centred around specific student needs. Still others see the opportunity that new technology offers, tailoring learning to individual student needs.

Some of these independent schools are the educational home of hundreds of students, while some host just a few. They include options such as Montessori schools, nature schools, faith-based schools and schools that focus on students with exceptionalities. Some employ hybrid models, where the school manages the program but students split their time between a bricks-and-mortar school and learning at home. This is a great option for students who find full-time schooling overwhelming, or for families who need more flexibility in their schedule. Increasing work-from-home options make it possible for parents to be more involved in their kids’ education, and for family time to be prioritized.

In fact, prioritizing student needs is the primary driver of this growth in independent schools. They’re not the schools serving the elite and wealthy that you typically think of when you hear “private schooling.” Cardus research shows they’re small startups that operate because they believe in a vision, and their leaders and educators are committed to making it happen. “It’s just me and the grace of God,” as one school leader put it.

While Ontario provides no support for independent schools, provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba recognize the strength of a pluralistic system of education that better meets the needs of students and families, and partners with these school communities and edupreneurs to deliver great education at a lower cost. In Alberta, publicly supported independent schools have saved taxpayers more than $825 million over the last five years while also providing a better educational experience. Alberta also supports public charter schools, which are fully publicly funded and regulated but which operate independently of public school boards.

Take Thrive Elementary in Alberta, for example. It’s a charter school serving low-income families in Edmonton, and it’s the first K-6 STEM school in the province. It operates from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., surrounding students with holistic support while removing the added cost of daycare for families. Its vision counters the assumption that a low income means a lack of opportunity, and takes seriously the belief that high-quality education is one of the strongest levers to reduce socioeconomic barriers and improve quality of life.

$30.6 billion and only 30 new and expanded schools. That’s a lot of taxpayer dollars in a system that, increasingly, is not suited to meet the diversity of student needs in this province. There’s a world of opportunity in front of us to change education in this province for the better if we just know where to look for it. That opportunity starts by looking outside of mainstream education to the renewal that is pushing its way to the front of the class.

Joanna DeJong VanHof is the program director for education at the think tank Cardus. An expert in K-12 education systems, her research focuses on the availability, accessibility, and accountability of independent schooling in Canada. With a background in educational leadership and governance, Joanna is currently completing her PhD in educational leadership and policy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).