Tips for Selecting Good Schools
It’s not always easy to know how to find the right school for your child. Here are some tips that could help. Many of these hints also can be used to help improve your child’s current school.
Make a list of your child’s learning needs
- Is your child good at learning on his or her own? Or does your child need a lot of individual attention?
- Does your child learn best with a lot of structure and step-by-step instruction? Or is your child more interested in learning that involves independent work, such as solving a big problem or developing projects?
- Does your child require extra learning assistance or enrichment programs, such as special education or gifted education?
Decide what services are most important to you.
- Does your child require transportation to and from school?
- Does your child need a breakfast and lunch program?
- Is it important that your child can work on computers regularly?
- Are you looking for school-based child care before or after school?
- Is it important that your child has access to college Advanced Placement courses in high school?
Gather information about the school.
- Can the school provide you with statistics on student test scores, discipline and attendance ?
- If you are considering a startup school, what evidence can the school founders provide to show that the model for the school will be effective?
Set up an appointment to visit the school and talk to teachers and the principal.
- Does the school have a special program focus or curriculum? If so, what are the main features?
- What is the average class size?
- What is the school mission and educational philosophy?
- What are the school’s academic standards?
- Does the school expect every child to meet the same standards? The school should prepare all students to successfully compete in today’s demanding world.
- What kind of extra help is available for students who may be struggling in academic areas?
Find out if the school welcomes and encourages parent involvement.
- How are parents involved in the school?
- Is there an active parent organization in the school?
- How often do teachers communicate with parents?
