Choosing a School: Finding the Best Fit for Your Family

The best ranking, the smallest classes, the nicest facility... so many factors go into finding the right school for your child. Friends, family members and colleagues all have suggestions, and hearing what they value is an important part of your search. But in the end, finding the right school means finding the best fit for your child and your family. Here are a few steps to get you started on your path.

1. Start Looking Early:  Sooner is always better. There's no such thing as too early to begin researching. Parents of infants should feel comfortable asking questions and visiting schools. The process takes time, and some schools see applications years in advance of the start of preschool. 

2.  Prepare to do your homework:  Before you make a list of questions for the schools, ask yourself these questions about your child:

• How does my child learn?
• What are my child's interests? How will a school foster my child's interests?
• What are my child's strengths and weaknesses? How will a school accommodate these strengths and weaknesses? What might I need to do to fill in any gaps?
  
  

3.  Do your homework:  From big concepts to small details, there are a number of criteria to consider in evaluating whether a school is a good fit for your family:

• Mission: What is the school’s mission? What does my family value? Does the mission match our values?
• Philosophy of education: What are the school’s values, attitudes, and beliefs about education?
• Average class size: What is the average class size for my child’s grade? When should I expect that to change?
• Transition process: How does the school help students and parents adapt to their new setting? Are any activities held before school starts to help children acclimate to their new environment?
• Required credentials for teachers: Are all teachers certified?
• Professional development: Does the school have a budget for professional development? Are teachers allowed to choose professional development opportunities based on their own interests? How often do teachers participate in professional development activities?
• Curriculum: How does the school decide which courses and textbooks to require?
• Teaching methods:  How are subjects taught? Why does the school favor its chosen methodologies?
• Approach to learning: How does the school challenge students? How does the school identify giftedness and learning differences? How does the school support the needs of these students?
• Standardized testing: What standardized tests does the school require? How do teachers prepare students for the tests? What does the school do with the results? When do students begin taking standardized tests?
• Handwriting: Is handwriting taught? What method is used? In which grade does handwriting instruction begin?
• Technology: How do students and teachers use technology at school? How does the technology benefit academic outcomes? Are students expected to have computer and internet access at home? If so, beginning in which grade?
• Discipline philosophy & policy: How does the school make decisions about discipline? Are disciplined students guided to use better behaviors?
• Grading policy: How are students in my child’s grade evaluated? How often are report cards issued? When does the school begin to issue letter grades?
• Homework philosophy & policy: What is the purpose of homework? In which grade does homework begin? How much time is expected to be spent on homework?
• Enrichment & extracurricular opportunities: Does the school provide enrichment opportunities? What are some examples of enrichment opportunities? What extracurricular activities are available?
• Critical thinking & creativity: How do teachers incorporate critical thinking and creativity into lessons?
• School culture:
  ➢     Are students encouraged to ask questions during class?
  ➢     Are students allowed to talk during lunch?
  ➢     Does the school have recess? If so, how often, and for how long?
  ➢     Do the teachers collaborate or work independently?
  ➢     Do the students collaborate or work independently?  
• Communication with parents: How are parents kept abreast of their child’s performance and needs? How often? How are parents informed about school events and activities?
• Opportunities for parental involvement: How can I become involved at school?
• Get an insider’s perspective: What do families enrolled at the school say? What pleases them about the school? What do they wish were different?
• Lunch program: Can students bring their lunches? Is a hot lunch program available? Are families required to participate in it?
• Before & after care: Is care available before and/or after school? When should parents apply? Costs?
  
  

4.  The private school admissions process: Additional considerations are involved when researching private schools for your child:

• Application process: When should an application be submitted? What other documents are required with the application?
• Admission testing: Do students test for admission? What is the testing like?
• Admission criteria: What criteria are most important to the school when deciding on an applicant?
• Waiting list: If space isn’t available, how does the school determine the priority of candidates when an opening comes available?
• Financial aid: Is financial aid available? What is the process for applying for financial aid? Deadline?

5.  Take a tour:  As you visit each school you are considering, keep a similar set of questions in mind as you observe:

• How are students engaged in the lessons?
• Do students seem comfortable initiating conversation with teachers (inside and outside the classroom)? What is the rapport between students and teachers?
• Are you allowed to ask the students questions during the tour? Do they seem knowledgeable of what they are working on in class?

6.  Keep timing in mind: The time to apply or register varies by school, so do your homework. Narrow down your list of schools of interest, then note the application deadlines for each school. Remember, sooner is better, so submit the application early so that the school is aware of your interest. 

7.  Investigate. Don't assume: Check into the schools yourself. Do the research. Draw your own conclusions, and make an informed decision. By doing your homework now, you will ensure the right fit for your child for years to come. 




Thanks to ESA's Admissions Director Jon Berthelot for sharing these tips on finding the right fit for your family. Learn more about ESA through the About Us section of our website, and visit us for Preview Days in October, November, December, and January, or schedule a visit with Jon at any time.