Choosing A School

November 08, 2009

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Choosing A School

by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P.

When it comes to choosing a school for your child, it pays to keep all of your options in mind, as well as your child's individual needs and likes. Don't assume that the only important factor is how much money you have to spend on school. Private schools are usually expensive, but many offer scholarships. Public schools often get a lot of negative press, but many provide excellent educations, and may be the right choice for a particular child. Think, too, about what you value in education. Do you see school as a place for children to acquire academic, athletic, and social skills, to be exposed to diverse ideas and people, or to be immersed in a particular cultural or religious tradition? There's no single right or wrong answer here; it all depends on what's best for you and your child.

To find out about the available choices, you can start by talking to other parents in your community. Visit schools to meet the administrators and teachers. Attend a meeting of the school board, parent-teacher association (PTA), or school council. If possible, attend a school function such as parent-teacher night, open house, orientation, or an assembly. Walk through the halls to get a sense of the school's atmosphere and aesthetic qualities. Notice if the students seem to be engaged, stimulated, and happily energetic, and watch how they interact with each other and the teachers. Taking some time to investigate your options well in advance of enrolling your child is well worth the effort.

Among the important considerations to weigh are

location--if the school is right there in your neighborhood or farther away;

transportation--will your child have to get to school by bus, car, carpool, or walking;

opportunities for socialization--a particularly important consideration if you are considering home schooling, a single-sex school, or a school outside your neighborhood

academic or social pressures--what your child is likely to be faced with, and how she typically handles pressure

services and opportunities--everything from on-campus musical and art instruction to Special Education courses, after-school care to programs for gifted students;

safety and security--how the school addresses violence and violence prevention, as well what measures are taken on a day-to-day basis to ensure your child's safety on school grounds.

accreditation--not an issue for public schools.

The best decision comes from putting all of these factors into the mix, along with your special knowledge about your child. Is he likely to do well in a school with a large student body and many choices of activities, or does he need a smaller, more nurturing environment? What are the other children like, and is he apt to fit in? You may come up with different answers for different children in your family, or for the same child at different ages and developmental stages.

The articles that follow take a closer look at public schools, private schools, charter schools and home schooling.


RELATED INFORMATION

			Charter Schools
			Private Schools
			Public Schools
			Choosing a School

Created June 13, 2001
Reviewed June 14, 2001

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