The Linden School

Sending my daughters here was the worst mistake I have made in regard to their education. They attended one year, then we transferred to another school. Even if they had liked it there, I would not have had them return. However, it is the only year in their high school years (or elementary for that matter) that they both HATED going to school. At their new school, they are both on the Gold Honour Roll and love school, once again.
Linden’s «Open House» is a sham. You see all sorts of interesting activities and think, wow. Well, that’s the only time you’ll see these activities going on.
There is a disproportionate amount of girls who do not fit in the regular school system, so they end up at Linden. So you aren’t necessarily getting a better education even though you are paying for it – a lot of class time is wasted dealing with those girl’s behavioural and/​or emotional problems.
Some of the things my daughters had to do were unreasonable. For example, for English they had to read 5 adult novels written by a female Indian author — and she didn’t mean First Nations — which would have made sense. The teacher, of course, was from India. I can understand one novel; 2 is pushing it — but what about Canadian Authors or the other countries in the world?
I know it’s a feminist school — but they jam it down their throats in almost every single class. Unfortunately, some of the teachers were anti-​male and made inappropriate comments in the class — completely unethical and unprofessional.
Then there is the regular «All School» assemblies, where the elementary school and high school get together to «mingle» so they all feel like one «family.» What BS! A grade 11 student does not want to hang out with a grade 7 student, nor does a grade 9 student want to hang out with a grade 2 student. All the activities are geared towards the younger students. Total waste of time.
My daughters did not find the school «supportive» and did not feel that the teachers made the effort to create a bond. Most of their teachers complained about how poorly they were paid. Most were there to get experience, then get hired in the public system. As a result, there is an extremely high turnover in staff. There is one exceptional teacher, Martin, who teaches Spanish — my daughters loved his classes.
The school itself is a dump. Mismatched and old furniture /​desks. I made the mistake of thinking they must put their money into equipment & enrichment activities. WRONG. It’s a depressing & dark environment — and the class rooms are small and confined. Not an environment conducive to learning.
Look elsewhere if you want a good private school!!!

OK, I have to write a review because the other review was so mean it’s hard to not say anything.
I haven’t gone to Linden in a long time, but I did go there for 6 years, so I feel I have a bit of a perspective.
First of all, I don’t have a «mental or learning» issue. The reasons I chose to go to Linden were vast and varied, but the main driving force to leave public school at that time was severe bullying. When I returned to mainstream public school in grade 11, I had already skipped one grade and ended up being fast-​tracked another. I graduated with a 97% OAC average and went to U of T on scholarship, and this was in public school following my Linden education.
Did we have a wide variety of different kids from different backgrounds? Sure, it’s an alternative school. That’s what happens. Small classes attract people who are looking for more individual attention.
Of course, all schools have negatives. Linden does have a weird hiring system, I agree. I had fantastic teachers there, and I had crazy insane stupid teachers. Just the same as when I was in public school. The difference is that you’re paying for the stupid teachers when you go to independent school, so it seems more important.
I have to say that the small classes also breed favouritism and the principals and teachers were never shy to show which students they liked best (usually those with parents who could provide financial or political support for the school). They have a terrible alumni program, so if you left and you weren’t a «favourite», they never spoke to you again, which isn’t good, because word of mouth is the most important marketing tool you can ever get.
I was glad I was there for grades 7 and 8. I got an extended childhood in an all-​girls’ environment. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for high school, as it ill-​prepares you for University.
I don’t think a school should ever be criticized for helping kids with issues that mean they can’t flourish in a regular school environment — that’s just ignorant.