I think we found a hidden gem of a school

[ThePearlWasp]

A few months back my DS has started studying at a Canadian school called Phoenix Magnet Academy. He came over for the Easter holidays and it was fantastic to see his confidence grow so much. I think we have found a hidden gem as it is a relatively new school. Anyone in a similar situation who is mulling over sending their DS/DD to a private school or college, I highly recommend the leap (if you can afford it).

Anyway, the Headmaster (in double breasted suit and open necked shirt ) boasts of the international nature of the school. Doesn’t seem to have a single pupil from the entire continent of Africa - so I’m out.

@ThePearlWasp when you say anyone in a similar situation , exactly what situation do you mean? 🤔

They have 48 students total according to a quick Google search and only 5 members of staff... It all sounds a smidge claustrophobic.

So hidden that you have to post in another country to get pupils, apparently! Thanks for sharing the top secret info on a public forum though.

Nice advertising! Struggling for victims in Canada ? 😆

It wouldn't matter how much money I had or what I could afford, nothing on this earth would convince me that sending my children halfway across the world for school is in their best interest. I suspect OP is affiliated with the school and this is a shameless plug.

Phoenix Magnet sounds like one of Angelina Jolies kids.

This thread has so made me laugh.

Plus spelling mistakes on their website

I find spending time with my children, letting them know you are there for them every day, and not shipping them thousands of miles away also helps with their confidence.

Is it like the American schools in this country?

Sorry, I can't take this school seriously.

"Student’s interested in applying..."

Grammar much?

The marketing person has found forums to promote their school, but they haven't stumbled upon ChatGPT yet to ensure the grammar on their website is flawless.

Headmaster looks not quite right…is it even a legit school?

It's a real school. Only aimed at international students. They have agents trying to recruit in various countries apparently, which reinforces my thoughts that this post is actually someone affiliated with the school, not a genuine parent. Won't they be disappointed when they come back to check out the replies?!

Oh ok @MermaidEyes bizarre, it seems quite a risk shipping your young children over to Canada when if you have a spare £40k a year you can get a good school here!

You can’t send your young children as they start at Grade 8, which is apparently the equivalent of yr 9 in England.

And you can only pay your (upwards of) £40k if your child gets into the school you want. Decent boarding schools have entrance exams …

Noseying at their website, there seems to be a lot of focus on outdoor stuff, not just classroom learning. They list such things as skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, dog sledding 😆 canoeing, sailing - the kind of thing you're unlikely to get in a UK school, because of location and weather. But then, if you've got enough money to ship your child off there, you can probably spend it on skiing and snowboarding holidays for the whole family instead 😆

I’m assuming parents who have upwards of £40k possibly have children that could pass entrance exams here. My kids go to a selective private school (not £40k each) and yes it’s selective but there is a variation in ability in that selection!

How 99.9 percent of pupils appear to be Asian, not that a problem but I think they’ve found their demographic.

The proofreading on that website is shocking.

As are the headteacher’s teeth.