Choosing a school is one of the most influential decisions a parent can make for their child. A school should provide a safe learning environment, teach important social skills, and prepare a child academically for the future. Not a decision to be taken lightly, there are several considerations a parent should make when choosing an educational institution. Follow our guide to making the best choice for your child’s education.
Consider what type of school and education you want for your child. There are many choices, some of which didn’t exist not so long ago. Parents can now broaden their search to these general types of schools:
Examine your family values when making a choice. If your child is old enough, consider asking them what they value, as well. Perhaps they show a certain flair for the arts, the humanities, or the sciences. No matter what your child is talented at, there is likely to be a school that specializes in his or her area(s) of interest.
The next step in selecting a school for your child is to experience the educational environment firsthand. When you arrange a school tour, remember these tips:
Prepare a list of important questions before you take the tour. Then, consider whether your tour guide was able to answer your questions satisfactorily. During a school tour, you can learn a lot through simple observation and asking pointed questions.
A third consideration to keep in mind is the academic expectations and performance of a school. Do your research and check standardized test scores for each school or school district you’re considering, but don’t rely on that data alone. Look into these areas, as well:
For children to maximize their academic success, they need a school that operates professionally at the administrative level and has teachers that works collaboratively to educate, without deviating from the established curriculum.
A fourth thing to look for on your school tours is how well students engage with classroom instruction. Do all students appear engaged in their tasks? If some students are engaged, while others seem bored, the school may not offer “differentiated instruction” — a term that means students work at different paces, but that they all feel challenged at their particular level.
A high rate of classroom engagement can mean a higher level of learning and success for your child. Make sure that students appear engaged and challenged on your tour.
A high-performing school is also one that has smooth transitions between classes, as students move from one school area to another. An effective school has administrative staff who work together to ensure that certain rules and expectations are in place for moving between areas.
Make sure that part of your tour includes observing students in their “free time”. Chaotic behavior in the cafeteria or hallways indicates that students may be unclear on school rules and expectations, or that rules aren’t vigilantly enforced. You want your child to feel comfortable and calm in their educational setting.
Conclusion
If you’ve narrowed your list of schools to a few candidates, and you’re having a hard to deciding which one to choose, consider offering to volunteer in classrooms for an entire day to get an close impression of how students perform in class and behave in general. Making the final decision for your child can be tricky, but trust your gut — and, most of all, do your research!
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Gary Anderson is a freelance writer from Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of experience writing for many industries, including the charter school funding industry, where he became associated with Charter Asset Management. He is an accomplished and published writer and editor. In his free time, he enjoys gardening.
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