Tips on Choosing the Perfect School for Your Child

As the summer winds down and thoughts turn to crayon boxes and big yellow buses, many parents find themselves still facing the difficulty of choosing the right school for their children. Parents who have recently moved into a new area-or those facing the challenges of a special needs child-often find the prospect of a new year worrisome. Not only can choosing the right school influence academic performance, it can also determine a child's lifelong relationship with learning. Make the right decision, and your child may grow up well rounded, educated, and successful. Make the wrong decision, however, and your child may never catch up to his peers.

Sounds intimidating, huh?

It is. However, parents interested in choosing the right school for their children can-and should-take control. Finding the right school for your child can be difficult, but it's not impossible. All it takes is a little knowledge and some legwork.

Do Your Homework

We expect our kids to do it, so why shouldn't we? Take time to find out about local schools in your area. Ask neighbors where they send their children. Do you go to church? Find out where your fellow parishioners go. Remember, the first step in choosing the right school for your children is determining what your choices are. Call your local school district and request a district map. Or, go online to www.privateschoolreview.com find where private schools in your area are located, as well as review and statistics.

Determine Your Needs

Sit down with your family and make a list of the top ten important features you look for in a school. Is location important so that you and your spouse can get to work? Does your child have special needs that may require special assistance or smaller class sizes? Many private schools may not offer special education classes-or may charge more tuition for a special education student. Likewise, not all public schools are equally adept at dealing with certain special needs students. Are extracurricular activities a necessity? Are uniforms a deal-breaker? Leave no stone unturned. The more you can accurately determine the needs of your child and your family, the better chance you have of choosing the right school for your child.

Make a List and Check It Twice

Not sure if any of the schools around you meet your needs? Call. For example, if a strong football program is important to your family, call and ask to speak with the football coach. Is class size a priority? Ask for an interview with the principal or assistant principal. Feel free to discuss your needs and/or concerns with him/her. Also feel free to ask about the credentials of the teaching staff, state test scores, and discipline procedures. Keep in mind that good administrator should be willing and prepared to answer your questions. An administrator that is unwilling or unprepared could signal a greater problem within the school-and raise a red flag.

Once you've spoken with the school administrator, go online to find more information. Websites such as www.greatschools.com offer a great way to find out what other parents think of schools, as well as a way to find out about overall academic performance and class size.

Make a Budget, Make a Plan

If you're looking at private school, this is a no-brainer. If you're investigating public schools, setting a budget is still an important factor. To begin with, tuition costs in private schools can vary widely from one school to another. However, if you find that your perfect school seems too rich for your budget, consider alternative ways of paying. Oftentimes private schools will offer financial assistance and scholarships for families who request it. Do you think you're not "poor" enough to receive aid? Think again. Private schools take many factors into consideration when making aid decisions, so it never hurts to try.

Working off tuition is another great way to defer the cost. Private schools may sometimes offer parents a way to exchange services and/or volunteer hours for tuition dollars. Do you run a catering business? Maybe you can donate items for the school lunch or special benefits. The possibilities are limitless; so don't be afraid to ask. In addition, don't be afraid to ask about other incidental costs that often exist in private education. Uniforms, fundraising requirements, and field trips can sometimes add up to unfathomable amounts. Remember, even the most perfect school can lose its appeal if it breaks the bank.

These costs can also add up for families in public school. It's not uncommon for public schools to require uniforms or to offer exotic field trips-especially charter schools, which often offer much more in terms of field trips and activities than typical public schools.

Schedule a Visit

Parents looking to choose the perfect school for their children should not overlook the importance of a school visit. Schedule a tour of the school with your child. If possible, have your child's teacher/teachers meet with him. If school is already in session, see about letting your child attend class for an hour or two to see how he interacts with his teacher and peers. Remember, a child who is not comfortable in his environment is less likely to do well.

Make a Choice

Once you've decided on the perfect school for your child, make a choice-and stand by it. Remember, attending a new school can be intimidating for children of any age. Making a well-educated choice and portraying a positive attitude to your child will make the transition into a new classroom as painless as possible.

Get Involved

It's not enough that you've researched, asked questions, and visited every school in the tri-county area. Now you've got to do what most parents often forget (or fail) to do: get involved. Are you a stay-at-home parent? Take an hour or two a week to volunteer as a teacher's aide or in the school office. Do you work a lot and find that squeezing in any volunteer time would be difficult? Join the PTA, offer to do some "take home" volunteer work (such as cutting out paper hearts, etc.), or offer your expertise or time for fundraisers, dances, etc. Educators often say that the number one predictor of a child's success is parental involvement. Whether you can volunteer for one hour-or one hundred-becoming involved with your child's school is a great way to see first-hand exactly how your school fits your needs.

Choosing the right school for your child can be difficult, but it's not impossible. Simply taking the time to make an educated, family decision can ensure that the transition from fun-filled summer days to structured school time is smoother than a ride on one of those big yellow buses.