How Ontario's 300+ New Independent Schools Reflect the Desire for Educational Alternatives
Joanna DeJong VanHof
Program Director, Education
Joanna Dejong Vanhof is the Program Director, Education at Cardus. She is a PhD student in educational leadership and policy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, from which she holds a master’s degree in education. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from McMaster University. Her previous experience lies in educational leadership and governance in the independent education sector in Ontario.
Education
Research Report
School’s Out for the Status Quo
April 28, 2026
Education
Policy Memo
Memo: Clarifying Public Reporting of the Alberta Education Student Population Statistics
Cardus is writing to Alberta's education minister to identify challenges within the current methodology of reporting their student population statistics. There is double-counting of student populations taking place that Cardus offers its assistance in resolving.
April 10, 2026
Education
Research Report
Better Together
How Canada’s Independent School Associations Strengthen Democracy and Civil Society
April 1, 2026
Education
Research Report
Enduring Faith
Patterns of Religious Practice and Values Among Religious School Graduates
March 24, 2026
Education
Research Report
Mental Health and Well-Being in Christian Schools
Educators’ Perspectives
February 17, 2026
Education
Policy Memo
Memo: Alberta’s 2026 Budget Consultation
Cardus reiterates our recommendation to allocate $600 million of the $8.6 billion School Construction Acceleration Program to capital investment for independent and charter schools. This investment will help alleviate pressure on the public schooling system at a lower per-student cost.
January 15, 2026
Media Contact
Phil Gaudreau
Director of Media & Public Relations