Tips for How to Choose Your Child's School
Important Criteria for Parents to Consider When Picking a School
Jun 20, 2008
But whether the choice is public or private, online or homeschool, boarding or day, there are important questions to ask along the way. Consider these eight key areas to ensure making the best choice.
Academic Value
Consider the academic reputation of the school. How do the students score on standardized tests? What kinds of programs do they offer for children with specific needs (either remedial or advanced)? Are academics important at the school or do they focus more on the emotional and interpersonal aspects of education? Parents should also consider the child’s long-term goals and make choices most in line with those goals whether they be college, trade school and something else.
Curriculum Choices
Schools select their curriculum for specific reasons. It can be because it is mandated by the state. Or it can be because they are specifically choosing to do something different than the state requires. They might choose their curriculum based on a certain educational philosophy such as Montessori, classical or college prep. It is important to know the driving forces behind the curriculum choices. It is also important to examine the curriculum and know what will be taught.
School Leadership
The best schools have the best leadership. This includes everyone from the school board to the teachers in the classroom. Especially when considering a private or charter school, carefully evaluate the leadership skills of those in charge. Lack of leadership will frequently lead to much discontent. Strong leadership will keep a school moving forward and spur on greater success for everyone – children, teachers, parents and community. Ask about the teacher and administrator qualifications and make sure they are acceptable.
Student Discipline Procedures
How does the school handle discipline? Do they have a school-wide discipline policy or does each teacher have his/her own way of doing things? What system do they use for keeping parents informed of disciplinary issues? How do they deal with bullying? What kind of discipline is used on the playground? Ask to see a written discipline plan and make sure it is acceptable.
Dress Code
Does the school have a dress code? Do they use uniforms? Some parents love uniforms and some would never choose a school that imposed such restrictions. Some parents believe that uniforms stifle a child’s individuality while others feel that the child’s personality shines through since the focus is on the child and not what he/she is wearing. Consider where your family stands on this issue.
Campus Security
This has rarely been an issue in the past. But as school shootings have become more common, it is a question that parents must consider. How does the school deal with security-related issues. How important is security? Is a school more secure because it has security officers or is a school more secure when this is not a factor? The student population will also impact the level of security. Are there a lot of bullies? Gangs? Social pressures? How much should a student have to deal with when going to school? The answer will vary from parent to parent, but the degree of security is something to take into account.
Extracurricular Activities
Almost every student enjoys being involved in extracurricular activities so take into account what kinds of things are offered. Who oversees the activities? How often are they offered? Is the school open to starting a new activity that is of interest to children? How are the activities funded? These are all important questions to ask when determining a good fit for a child.
Personal Values
Lastly, and probably most importantly, does the school fit your family’s personal values? What kinds of things are very important to you and are they available at the school? Are there areas of the school that run directly opposite those highest values? Or are they smaller issues where compromise is acceptable? Do you trust the people at the school to take care of your child and nurture him/her?
Choosing the right school is an important step for parents. The rewards and future dividends can be tremendous. By examining the various aspect of each choice, families can greatly increase the chances of being happy with their choice.
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