First things first. The school outperforms almost anything in the public sector and students are typically a year ahead of their public school counterparts academically. By the way, the school receives no subsidy from the Quebec education department.
In explaining it's decision to close the school, the department outlined a litany of problems, most of which were pure nonsense, added to the complaint sheet solely to hide the real motivation, the fact that the school teaches too much English.
Some of these complaints were patently foolish, including the charges that the l'Académie lavalloise was;
Using unqualified teachers
The school seems to be doing a good job even if its true. Perhaps public schools could use a dose of theses type of unqualified teachers.
Wait a second! The Journal de Montreal reports that in 2008 there were 2,400 unqualified teachers teaching in the public system, some of which held only a high school leaving certificate! LINK
Le Devoir published a sad, yet hilariously ironic story about a phenomenally talented and successful Latin teacher who was forced out of his job because of credentials. He was replaced by a 'qualified' teacher' who spoke no Latin. Link(French)
Using unapproved teaching materials
Perhaps the education department should consider switching over to what the school is using. It's clear that they are more successful.
Overcharging Parents
It's a private school, for God's sake. If the parents don't like the price...well.
The school doesn't offer teacher 'Pedagogical days'
Teachers who don't like it can leave.
The school doesn't present standardized report cards
But the marks are higher....of course that doesn't count.
HERE'S THE REAL REASON FOR THE ATTACK BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT;
The school offers 30% of it curriculum in English
Did you know that it's against the education department's policy to allow any English at all in a French kindergarten, or in the first few years of primary school as well. This progressive attitude is based on the notion that children become 'confused' and the learning of English penalizes their ability to master French, a laughable concept that is rejected by educators around the world!
The Académie lavalloise is making a mockery of this notion and for that reason the education department decided that the school had to be stopped and stopped fast.
There are at least half a dozen Hasidic Jewish day schools that are in default of education ministries rules and they have been so for years and years. They have been warned over and over again to make changes. The schools have ignored the ministry and continue to operate. Why no action?
Because nobody cares what a bunch of English religious fanatics teach their children. They don't affect the mainstream.
As you can well imagine the parents of the affected students hit the roof and caused such a media stink that the minister herself rushed to meet the parents and calm the waters.
An interim solution was offered wherein the school would stay open, but would address the 'problems.'
The school remains defiant that it will continue to offer 30% of its curriculum in English and will use loopholes like teaching the English portion 'outside' regular school hours to do so.
Where there's a will there's a way.
I am reminded of the early Christians who were persecuted by the Romans and were forced to teach their children in secret classrooms!
The demand that English be abandoned remains the sticking point, because the school continues to put paid to the myth that learning English in some way diminishes the mastery of French. Students of Académie lavalloise consistently score higher in French than their public school counterparts, so there!
And that is just plain unacceptable!
