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The average child spends 6 to 8 hours at school, so you must choose one that can provide an environment where they feel comfortable. At the same time, you must think of their academic performance and the impact on their future. The good news is that you have lots of options. The bad news is that you have so many possibilities it can become overwhelming.
There’s no doubt that this is a high-pressure decision, so let’s go through some of the things you should consider when choosing a school for your kids.
What Are Your Options?
As we mentioned, you have a lot of options to consider. Many parents send their kids to a public school in the neighborhood. This has some significant advantages. First of all, the commute won’t belong. Second, it means that they’ll be going to school with kids they already know and can make friends more easily. You’ll also learn from the other parents so contacting them won’t be hard.
Of course, this all depends on whether you live in an area with a good public school. You’ll have to check test scores, what subjects the school emphasizes the dress code, how disciplinary issues are handled, and extracurricular options.
Then there are private schools, which can be religious, such as Hilbert, or secular. In general, private schools have more resources and a better teacher-to-student ratio. Usually, they have a good reputation for academic performance, so attending one can significantly increase your child’s chances of getting into a good college or university. Whether you send them to a religious or secular private school is up to personal preferences.
Practical Considerations
There are many factors to consider here to group them into their category – practical considerations. This includes the cost of the school and whether you can afford it. You can also look into scholarship programs to determine eligibility for your child.
Then you have to think about transportation. How far is the school, and how can your child get there? Do you have to drive them yourself, or does the school offer transportation options? If not, can you fit the commute into your schedule?
Even more important is the school’s curriculum. You’ll want to check test scores and what subjects are offered here. Bigger schools tend to have a broader curriculum and more options for extracurricular activities. You’ll also want to see if the school offers accelerated learning programs and additional support if needed.
Should Your Child Attend School With Their Siblings and Friends?
Another consideration is whether you should send your child to the same school as their siblings. When you think about it, it would certainly make life easier. You’ll already know the teachers; admission is usually easier for siblings.
Also, if they go to the same school as their friends or siblings, it will reduce some of the anxiety and make it much easier for them to adjust to a new environment.
School Culture and Philosophy
While schools can offer similar curriculums and facilities, they vary considerably in culture and philosophy; some are more focused on test scores and college admissions, so they’ll apply more academic pressure on their students. In contrast, others avoid stress and focus more on promoting individuality through artistic pursuits. Some schools focus more on technology and computers and may require your child to spend time learning keyboarding. While some have little tolerance, others are laxer to discourage rule-breaking, even minor infractions.
By now, you may have a pretty good idea of the environment most suits your child. Most schools describe their culture and philosophy on their website and pamphlets. You can also find out their views on specific issues by asking questions like:
- What steps will the school take if my child doesn’t achieve the predicted test scores?
- What are disciplinary actions taken for minor infractions like forgetting your homework?
You’ll also get a sense of the school environment by visiting the school and observing how the kids behave. Some schools encourage their students to express themselves, so they tend to be loud and playful, while others prefer their students to be quiet and learn self-discipline.
Admission
Admission protocols can vary from just a few questions to full interviews and entrance examinations. Especially among private schools, admission interviews can be more thorough since the schools that focus on academic achievement try to choose only the brightest students. Schools geared towards self-expression and extracurriculars will also try to select students that match their culture and philosophy.
We recommend that you don’t get your child into a school that doesn’t suit their personality. Kids are happier and get better results when they’re in an environment where they feel comfortable. Coaching can help with the admission process, but you have to think about how your child will feel going to that school every day for several years. For example, it’s not a good idea to coach an introverted child to seem more extroverted so they can get into a school that tailors to extroverted kids.
Pay a Visit
Once you find a school that matches your criteria and seems well-suited for your child’s interests and personality, you’ll want to visit to meet the faculty and staff and see the classrooms. This will also give you a sense of the level of transparency. It would help if you were invited to speak with the principal, teachers, and the other parents. While talking to the administration team, ask them about their policies and procedures and see how they answer. The transparency level will also give you insight into the school’s views on parental involvement and how the staff relates to the students.
It’s also essential that you find out more about the teachers. It would help if you talked to them in person but also look online for their educational background, work history, and reviews.
