13 | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Explore the benefits of an Oakville independent school Oakville is home to an impressive selection of independent private schools offering a wide range of educational choices to families locally, and throughout the GTA. While each school has its own vision and mission, all schools provide families with unique and exceptional education choices. Parents have been enrolling their children in Oakville Independent Schools (OIS) for decades and the reasons they choose an independent private education for their child are as unique as each student. For some families the focus is on small class sizes, personalized attention and a solid academic foundation. Others are interested in specialized programs, opportunities in the fine and performing arts or in athletics and extracurricular activities. Whether a child is just starting school or looking to best support goals for post secondary education, all are looking for a school that best suits the needs of their child. The OIS is an association of 11 of the area's most highly acclaimed private schools that offer pre-kindergarten, primary, elementary, secondary, Montessori, IB World, traditional, progressive, religious-based, boarding, single gender and co-educational schools. Member schools include: Appleby College, Chisholm Academy, Clanmore Montessori School, Dearcroft Montessori School and West Wind Montessori Jr. High, Glenburnie School, King's Christian Collegiate, MacLachlan College, Oakville Christian School, Rotherglen School, St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School and Wildwood Academy. Oakville's independent schools or member schools place a high value on educating the whole child. They nurture personal growth through teaching independent thought, provide motivation through supportive learning environments, instill confidence, and encourage tolerance and understanding. They have an exceptional commitment to high quality academics, an appreciation of music and the arts, and to creating opportunities for all students to participate in extracurricular activities to help develop interests outside the classroom. Teachers at an independent school are enthusiastic and highly-engaged. They provide a student-centred focus and are given the freedom to implement learning approaches that ensure each student's needs are defined and individual talents are recognized and cultivated. They are accessible and work with families, offering strategies and approaches to achieve academic success. The OIS website - www.educationoakville.com - provides important and useful information outlining the highlights and benefits of a private school education. Along with profiles on each school and direct links to individual school websites, practical information about how to choose a school, the admissions process, upcoming open house dates, the latest campus news, and other resources are available. The best way to learn about each school is to attend an open house. On Saturday, January 25th each member school will be holding an Open House from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. To learn more, and to access a map with locations of each school, visit www.educationoakville.com. Advertorial ChoiCe, Diversity, innovation, exCellenCe, Personalization The Oakville Independent Schools represent 11 of the area's most highly acclaimed independent pre-kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools. Each shares a commitment to academic excellence in safe and supportive environments where personal development is valued, encouraged, nurtured and celebrated. Each school offers innovative and engaging programs and extensive extracurricular opportunities that go beyond the classroom. Athletics, the arts and community service -- the possibilities are limitless! We invite you to join us during our joint Open House to visit the schools and discover what each has to offer your child. A great school is waiting for you. To learn more, and to access a map of school locations, visit www.educationoakville.com Saturday, January 25, 2014 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. oPen hoUse www.educationoakville.com