Your child is ready to start school, and while you may be excited for them to enter the world of education and start to find subjects they love and meet new children who could become life-long friends, it can also be an emotional experience. For starters, you may have been the one who stayed home and raised them. Therefore, when your child goes to school, you have a lot more free time. Of course, this can be exciting, but also… it can be quite a change. Plus, you want to ensure that the school you are sending your kid to suits not only your needs and wants but also the wants and needs of your child. How can you choose the right school for your child? Read on for tips on how to do so.
Check the School’s Values
Are you hoping to send your child to a school that matches your family values? If so, then there are various schools that may interest you. For instance, do you wish to send your kid to a school that focuses on language? Luckily, there are numerous schools that focus on languages and make it a core part of their curriculum. The same goes for religion. For example, if your family is Catholic and you wish to enroll your child at a Catholic school, then you should consider a school such as the Visitation Catholic School.
Is the Curriculum What You Want?
Check the school’s curriculum. You never know but a school that seems perfect may not have a big enough focus on arts, languages, or music for your liking. Plus, their curriculum may be too rigorous or too relaxed, practicing a teaching style that does not seem to suit your child.
Is it Close to Home?
You may be taking your kid to and from school, so making sure that the drive or walk is not too chaotic is essential, especially if you are also working a full-time job. Check your nearby schools before expanding your radius. You never know, but a school that is round the corner from you may be perfect or just as promising as the highly-rated school that is a twenty-minute drive away.
How Involved Do the Parents Have to Be?
Are you a parent that wishes to be heavily involved, or would you prefer to be more hands-off? Certain schools will encourage parent participation, sometimes considering it to be a requirement. So, if you are a parent with a busy schedule and who will struggle to do this, you need to check that the school does not expect you to head any surprise bake sales.
Check Reviews
Much like everything else nowadays, you can check reviews and testimonials online. These can give a good idea as to how a school runs and whether it seems to be a promising and nurturing environment. Once you have a short-list of schools, do not be afraid to contact the school and have a meeting with a teacher who could be head of a department or the principal. This could provide you with a detailed picture of school life.
Choosing the right school for your child is important. After all, this is the place where they will learn and be nurtured. Find a school that has the same values as you and your family, and one that offers the right curriculum. Always ask for a meeting with a teacher if you have questions, and always ask to tour the school so that you can see the facilities, too.
Latest posts by Meredith (see all)
- What Have You Done? Book Club Discussion - August 2, 2024
- Lies and Weddings Book Club Discussion - June 14, 2024
- How to Choose the Perfect Florals for Your Wedding - June 7, 2024
Janine Huldie says
Great advice and tips on how to pick the right school for your kids. Thanks, Meredith for sharing with us here!
Meredith says
It’s a tough call, I know! Thanks for checking in, Janine!