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| Subject: Renting and schooling |
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Hi all,
Our family is in the final stage of immigration process, and we are expecting to got our issued in two weeks. Thanks for your help I got from the forum during our immigration process.
We start to find a good public secondary school for my 12 year-old son to study, and a nice safe neighbourhood for our family to live.
From what we know so far from Internet, Vancouver West is one of the suitable area. We would like to know if it is a good choice to rent an apartment near a good school. We are worrying about the neighbours in the same building, and worrying about if apartments are good for meeting new friends?
Thanks,
Jing
[19-10-2010,22:51]
[***.216.38.45]
Jing Li |
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(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
Sorry about the mistakes I made in the post.
[19-10-2010,22:52]
[***.216.38.45]
Jing Li |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
West Vancouver or the west side of Vancouver. 2 different places. Can you tell me the name of the street?
Secondary school and he is 12? that is usually grade 7 and would probably be a wiser choice. At 12 he would be one of the youngest children in a high school. Not easy for adapting. If he is in grade 7 at an elementary school, he will be the oldest. The school will probably want to test him for placement.
[20-10-2010,00:04]
[**.154.245.217]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
Hi Sharon,
It is Vancouver West. Not the West Vancouver, which is next to the North Vancouver.
We know there are some very good schools, such as Lord
Byng，University Hill and Prince Of Wales. We would like our son can settle down easily, and meet new friends and enjoy the new life.
Thank you very much,
Jing
[20-10-2010,00:23]
[***.216.38.45]
Jing Li |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
Hi Sharon,
We plan to land in Vancouver in February. He should go to one of elementary school first until September.
As we know, not sure if it is 100% correct, that renting in Canada usually require at least one year contract. So, we want to find a good secondary school first, then find a good place nearby to rent, then find a nearby elementary school for him in transition.
Thank you for your help.
Jing
[20-10-2010,00:57]
[***.216.38.45]
Jing Li |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
west side schools have a large asian population which I am assuming you are looking for? your child´s ability to learn english and adapt to Canadian life would be better served and he would have more learning support in a school that is less ´elite´.
I would not push for him to be in high school in September if he and the teachers do not believe he is ready. High school is hard enough to adjust to as a 13 year old... never mind when you have only been in the Canadian school system for 4 months.
[20-10-2010,02:21]
[**.154.245.217]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for your concerning. He has been living in New Zealand for 10 years. Now he is a Year 8 student in a local intermediate school. In February, if we would not move to Canada, he would go to a college (high school) here. I know Canada has a different education system from New Zealand. As a year 8 student, my son is very good at English, Math, and PE. Science is one of his weakness. outside the school, he enjoys tennis, piano, swimming and drawing.
From what we know, Canada is more advance in education than New Zealand. That´s one of the reason why we want to move to Canada. The main task for us after landing in Vancouver is finding a suitable school for my son.
We do not mind the ethnic groups. To be honest, we do not want to live in Richmond. After living in New Zealand for 10 years, we know the neighbourhood is the most important for rising a kid, as which will have positive influence to kids.
First, we thought about to settle in Coquitlam, which has cheaper houses. But one of article says it has medium crime rate. So, we gave up our original thoughts and changed our mind to Vancouver West area, which has a very good reputation in schools and public transport.
We would like to find a perfect place for my son to suit all his needs: good school, tennis club, public library, swimming pool, friendly neighbours, safe street. If we could not find such perfect place, we would like to find a good school and a safe neighbourhood at least.
Thank you very much,
Jing
[20-10-2010,05:46]
[***.98.228.40]
Jing Li |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
are you coming to Canada as a parent with your child? Do you need a job when you arrive - that is a more important question than what school.
there is nothing wrong with Coquitlam.
West side of Vancouver has a different kind of crime problem. Immigrant kids with grandma acting as the parent, Mom and Dad still back in China or Hong Kong and the kids have too much time and money on their hands. Different kind of trouble but trouble no less.
There is a myth out there (especially among the asian community) that west side schools are superior - not always so.
[20-10-2010,08:08]
[**.154.245.217]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for the very valuable comments. I and my husband will come to Vancouver, too. We have been working hard in New Zealand for a such long time, and we would like to have a break away from work. We want to enjoy the first couple of months time to get familiar with Vancouver, meanwhile to think about what we want to do for our future. We can wait sometime to find the right things to do. But our son needs a school urgently.
That´s why we would like to choose schools and areas for our son first.
From what you said, we thought Vancouver West might not the right area for our son as he does not have much spare time and very busy with his study and hobbies, and we are not rich, and do not give him any extra money beyond his study and hobby needs. It seems we are not from the same class as the residents in Vancouver West.
Do you have any suggestions regarding good schools and good neighbourhoods to suit a boy from a family which believes having a dream, and working hard?
Thank you very much for the really helpful information.
Jing
[20-10-2010,17:58]
[***.216.38.45]
Jing Li |
(in reply to: Renting and schooling)
have a look at this
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Fraser-Institute-Secondary-Schools-Lower-Mainland-Do-Better-Job-Students-From-Families-1005256.htm
[20-10-2010,19:01]
[**.154.245.217]
Sharon |
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