Step 1: Think about your child and your family
Begin your search for the ideal school by deciding what your child wants from a school. Maybe your child has special education or language needs. These are important to keep in mind. These are the things you should keep in mind.
Consider the needs of your child
- Do you think your child needs a structured environment?
- Do you think your child needs a more structured environment?
- Do you think your child needs more challenging work?
- Do you think your child needs more attention?
- Is your child likely to need more help or more time for completing an assignment?
- Is your child a student with special learning needs?
- Do you think your child needs an environment that encourages creativity?
- Is your child in need of an English language learning program?
Learning style of your child
- Is it possible for your child to learn the most by watching how things work?
- Is it possible for your child to learn the most by reading about how things work?
- Is listening the best way for your child to learn?
- Do you child enjoy participating in discussions?
- Do you have a child who likes to be active and learn?
- Are you a logical or mathematical child?
- Are your children artistic or musical?
- Do you child enjoy learning in groups?
- Do you have a child who likes to work alone?
School location
- Are you willing to allow your child to attend school within walking distance from your home?
- Is it possible to nurture your child’s talents outside of your immediate area?
- What are your limits for having your child bused?
- What distance are you willing and able to drive your child to school
- Do you want your child to go to school with friends?
- Are you interested in your child attending a school close to your after-school care? You work close to your child’s school? A close relative?
- Is your child a special needs student who requires transportation?
Step 2: Get information about schools
You could ask your family members and friends to help you find out information online, in consumer magazines and in other publications if you are looking to purchase a car, vacuum cleaner or refrigerator. You may need to call different schools to collect information and search for reports in the local newspaper to find out more about schools. Check out the Parent Tip for information on public schools. You can also attend parent fairs or school open houses. You can find reliable school information online on sites such as www.greatschools.net and www.schoolresults.org as well as other sites listed in the Resources section of this booklet. If you can find the school that will bring out the best in your child, it is worth all your hard work.
You will also want to learn about the school’s policies and services. Parents might also be interested in the school’s after-school programs, such as tutoring, tutoring, and sports. The U.S. Department of Education has funding for some after-school activities through its 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. These centers offer educational activities that supplement what is taught at school, and are available before, after, or during summer vacation. Ask the school if they offer any extra educational services such as tutoring or tutoring that is not offered during regular school hours.
Curriculum
- Is there a strong academic program at the school, such as English, history and mathematics?
- What other courses is the school offering in addition to core subjects?
- Is there any evidence that the school is teaching students how to read?
- Is there a particular focus or theme in the school’s curriculum?
- Is the school offering challenging courses like Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and high school honors?
- Do enrichment opportunities exist at the school for all students? Are gifted students eligible?
- Are there extracurricular activities offered by the school that complement what is being taught?
- Does anyone know of an effective English language learning program for children with special needs?
- Is the school able to accommodate special learning needs of your child?
Learning is about how you approach it
- Is there a specific approach to teaching and learning at the school (e.g. group projects, individual performance or frequent testing)?
- Do you believe your child will love and learn from this approach if yes?
- Is the school doing everything possible to ensure that every child learns? Is the school able to offer extra support for children who need it?
- Are the school’s staff able communicate in the language your child understands?
- Children with learning disabilities, limited English language skills or other special needs learn and perform well on tests.
- What is your homework policy? Is it consistent with your expectations regarding how much homework your child should complete?
- Are you deciding whether your child should attend a singlesex school (all-boys or all-girls) or a coeducational school.
- What is the size of the classes?
Academic performance
- What are the school’s test scores compared to other schools? If the school is a public school, check the report card or contact the school for more information. Refer to the ‘Parent Tip’ section on school report cards.
- Have test scores changed in the last few years?
- What explanation does the school give for the increase or decrease in attendance? What have similar children done on these tests?
- What are the performance expectations of students who move on to higher education?
- What percentage of students leave school before they have completed the last grade?
- Which school has received special recognition or achievements?
Policy on behavior
- What can the school do for character development and citizenship?
- What is the school’s discipline policy? What is the school’s policy on dealing with students who are disruptive?
- Do teachers respond fairly to students? Is there a behavior prevention program in place?
- Is it allowed for students to leave school on their own?
- What safety measures has the school taken? What security measures have they put in place?
- What is the school’s policy regarding absences from school? What is the school’s policy on absences?
- Are parents contacted by school personnel if students are absent?
- Is there a prevention program for alcohol and drug abuse at the school?
- Is there a dress code at the school?
- Are students required to wear uniforms?
Safety
- Is the school secure?
- How can the school deal with problems related to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco?
- How can the school handle bullying, violence, harassment and other abusive behaviors?
- What safety measures is the school taking? What security measures do you have in place?
- What is the school’s relationship to the police?
- Are there extracurricular activities and school hours covered by a police officer?
- Is there any information available about serious crimes in schools?
- Is there any information available about students who bring weapons to school?
- Is there an emergency plan in place for both local and national emergencies at the school?
- What can the school do to make sure parents and school administrators are aware of the emergency plan?
- Do drills exist?
- How does the school inform parents about emergencies? How can the school communicate in other languages with parents?
Offers that are special
- What other activities are offered by the school after school?
- Are all students able to take part in extracurricular activities?
- What are the interscholastic activities available for students?
- What are the intramural activities available for students?
- Which activities get the most attention?
- Is there a school or student publication?
- Is the school able to sponsor field trips?
- Do they make it possible for all students to use them?
- Do publications for parents exist in other languages?
Services and facilities
- Do students have access to a library that is well-stocked? Do you have reading materials in other languages?
- Is there an interlibrary loan?
- What time is available for students to visit the library?
- Are students able to access computers and the Internet in their classrooms and libraries?
- Is the Internet use monitored?
- Are there large rooms or an auditorium for school assemblies?
- Are school nurses on duty every day?
- Does the school have a cafeteria? What is the breakfast program?
- Are there before- or afterschool supervisions?
- Do you offer tutoring?
- Do students have access to counseling services?
- Are there any schools that are accessible to students with mobility impairments?
Admissions to private and public schools
- Is there a process for applying?
- What is the deadline for applications?
- Are there any other requirements (test scores, interviews, recommendations, application fee, etc.)? )?
- Is there a requirement for test scores to be accepted?
- What ranges of scores are available for students who have been admitted?
- Are there any admission requirements that require a portfolio, audition or statement of interest?
- Do you have any additional admission requirements?
- Is it possible to find admission requirements in languages other than English
Additional questions about private schools
- What is tuition?
- Is there a payment option?
- Is there a sliding-scale tuition rate that is based on income, parish affiliation or family income?
- What other costs and fees are there (room and board, uniforms and books, transportation, lab fees, computer fees, activity fees, etc.)?
- What are the available scholarships and loans?
- Is it required that students and their parents be of a certain faith?
- Is there a policy at the school regarding student participation in worship and religious instruction?
- Is the school closed on federal and religious holidays?
- Is the school on the same schedule as the public school nearby?
Additional questions about home schools
- Are you able to identify curriculum materials that your child will need and what they cost?
- Is there a place that is suitable for your child to study and receive instruction?
- Are you, your spouse, and another homeschooling parent able to give your child enough time?
- Are there other families who homeschool their children in your neighborhood?
- Is there a group for homeschoolers that you can join?
- Have you considered outside support for instructional purposes? What about your local library, parks, scouting organization, public or private schools, and other similar resources?
- Are you looking for information on legal issues, support groups, or instruction?
- Are you able to identify other resources that you may need?
- Are you familiar with state regulations? They are often available online or at your local school district.
Step 3: Go to schools and observe them
Make an appointment to visit the schools that interest you. Visit a few classes and take a tour of the schools during school hours if possible. To get a real sense of the school’s operation, avoid visiting schools in the last week or first week of term.
To get your questions answered, schedule an appointment to meet with the principal of the school. Attend an open house, parent-teacher meeting or other school function if you can. This will provide valuable information about staff, students and parents.
Pay attention to what teachers have to say about the school. Teachers will be the closest adults to your child and you want to find out if they are prepared, enthusiastic, and dedicated to their work.
Culture
- Are the school secretary friendly and helpful?
- Is the school clean and orderly?
- How do bulletin boards look?
- What is the best way to display student work?
- What communication methods does the school use to communicate with parents and students (weekly/monthly newsletters, e-mails, web site)?
- Are the students polite, happy, and well-trained?
- Is there a welcoming attitude towards all parents?
- How do students with different learning needs (e.g. students with disabilities or students with limited English proficiency), be treated?
- Are the teachers friendly and helpful?
Principal
- What is the philosophy of the principal about education?
- What is the attitude of the principal towards discipline?
- What extracurricular activities are the principal most interested in?
- How is the reputation of the principal in the community?
- Is the principal available to speak to parents when he is not at school?
- Is the principal able to get to know students?
- How often does the principal visit teachers?
- What can the school do to retain good teachers and improve teacher performance
- What is the response of the principal to parent complaints/concerns?
- What is the principal’s attitude towards students with diverse learning needs, such as students with disabilities or students with limited English proficiency?
- What are the strengths of the school, according to the principal?
- What are the school’s strengths, according to the principal?
- The principal wants to know where the school can improve.
Teachers
- What is the best way for teachers to grade student work?
- Are teachers able to expect all students to reach high academic standards?
- What can teachers do to inform students about their expectations?
- Are teachers able to share course objectives and content with parents?
- What is the availability of teachers for parent conferences?
- Are teachers expected to assign homework? Do they require it to be rigorous? Frequent? Sufficient?
- Do teachers have the necessary qualifications to teach the subject they are teaching?
- Are teachers equipped to help students with learning disabilities?
- Do you have specialized staff that can address special learning needs (e.g. psychologist, speech therapist or aides?)?
- Are teachers familiar with the students in their classes?
- Do teachers offer extra support to students?
- What is the policy of the school regarding parent questions?
- Are teachers able to provide class notes and other information on their websites for students and parents?
Students
- What is the student attendance rate?
- What are the opinions of students about the principal?
- What are students saying about teachers?
- Does the school spirit exist among students?
- What are students saying about homework?
- Are students allowed to participate in field trips and enjoy them?
- Are students at school happy?
- What are student publications saying?
- What do other students think about the school?
Involvement of parents and the community
- What is the school doing to encourage parental involvement?
- How can parents get involved?
- Is it possible for parents to volunteer?
- Is there an active parent-teacher organization at the school?
- Is the school able to hold events and meetings at times that parents can attend?
- Parents attending back-to-school nights are very well attended.
- Is homework expected to involve families?
- How often does the school communicate directly with parents?
- Are there community leaders who are involved in the school’s success?
- Is the school a partner with local organizations and businesses?
- How involved are parents in school policy development?
Reputation
- What is the perception of the school in the community?
- What is the perception of other parents about the school?
- Are other schools able to respect the school, especially those that have students who are moving up?
- Is the school a winner of any awards?
- Are people willing to move to the area to attend the school?
- What are the opinions of graduates?
- Are there any graduates of the school who have made significant contributions in their chosen field and the community?
Step 4: Apply for the schools that you like
After you have chosen the school that is best for your child, it will be time to apply to that school or schools and enroll your child. In case your child isn’t admitted to the school of their choice, you might consider applying to other schools.
This process should be started as soon as possible to meet all deadlines.
There are many admissions processes. You may have to test your child or interview him/her. Also, you might need to submit a school transcript, recommendations or any other information. It is helpful to find out about the admission criteria of schools. Double-check your information to ensure you are correct about when and how you apply.
Choose one or more schools you wish to apply to
- Which schools would you like to apply to?
- What is the deadline for each school to apply?
Before the deadlines, submit paperwork and applications
- Are you sure that each school has received the complete application?
- Are you sure that all the necessary information (deposits, student transcripts, test scores and letters of recommendation) has been included in the application?
- Did you submit your applications by the deadlines set by each school?