2. What is the school’s philosophy?
Mélanye : The Tourterelle alternative school aims for the global development of each child, with an educational project focusing on each student’s interests. Respecting the learning pace and style of each student is important. The child, parents and teachers act together to ensure a certain continuity in the child’s development. Parents are present in the school and have a role as coeducators!
Chantale : What we like about this special vocation school is that offers our son a different base from the regular classes. An hour is reserved to singing and music every single day.
3. Do you now have to be more involved in your child’s education (at home, at school, with extracurricular activites, etc.) than you did when he was in a regular class?
Mélanye : Parents are « coeducators ». We must participate in the school life at least one hour per week to develop a project that was decided by our child and approved by his teachers and a few other students. We are one big family and we are asked to participate in a committee school (Welcoming committee, Library, Computer labs, sports, environment, etc.) to ensure that the school is running smoothly. Extracurricular activities or field trips depend on ongoing projects or major annual celebrations that have all already been established!
Chantale : Well, because of the daily flute practice, we have to be more involved! As far as homework and studying are concerned, it has always worked very well.
4. Is your child adapting well to this type of school?
Mélanye : From the first time we set foot in the school, we felt at home… or at a good friend’s house! People were all welcoming and available to answer all our questions. Justine then attended a few projects organized by our “sponsor family” and asked us if she could go again for the rest of the school year... which we gladly accepted. She was already involved in the project and had responsibilities of her own. At the end of the year, the entire family was invited to a big picnic, where we met other families and the kids had a blast. From the beginning of summer, Justine was following – by choice – her school routine because she couldn’t wait to go back!
Chantale : Our son also adapted to his new school very well. He is very happy about it and loves to go to school. He’s an intellectual who always has above-average grades in every subject. He always want to learn more. Being a very sociable boy, he has a lot of friends. Even the older kids from the 5th and 6th grade say hi to him ! He knows how to be loved!
5. Why did you choose this school in particular?
Mélanye : The Tourterelle alternative school was an instant favourite! Every single aspect is in line with our family values. The educational projects, community involvement, coeducation, the multi-age environment ... We love it all!
Chantale : When our son asked us to attend the school Les Petits Chanteurs de Trois-Rivières , we brought him to take the admission test because we believed that it would be a great environment for him. The school has a great reputation and we were convinced that our son would love the singing and music classes. After a fabulous first year, the program was unfortunately transferred to another school, and we couldn’t afford the 3000$ tuiton fees. That’s when we started looking for another school and found the Jacques-Hétu School of Music, which also has an amazing reputation. Many of its teachers are members of the Trois-Rivières symphonic orchestra. Our son took the admission tests because the school accepts a very limited number of new students. The kids must have good grades and a facility with music, singing, drama and dance. This school touches everything to guide the child throughout primary school and stimulate his artistic side! Ludovic started his second year at the Jacques-Hétu School of Music in September, and we’re hoping that this time will be the good one!
