What questions should I ask when inquiring about schools for my child? What should I expect from the school?

Question

Besides cost what questions do most people ask when beginning this precess. I am looking at parochial and private schools and since I have always takes public school as a given I never thought about what to ask or expect. My son is now 2.5 years old and I'd like to be able to make a well informed decision for him by the time he is ready for Kindergarten.

One down! I did speak with one parochial scool today and I liked what I heard. This one is my first choice so it will be more difficult from here. I asked about $ which isn't too high nad class size is comparable to public school Except once they reach their max class size they will hire an additional teacher for that grade level rather than cram the kids in like sardines. Also, their requirements for K entrance is only slightly better than public school. This part is only important to me because I need to know how prepared I need to have him. When I tour the school I will asks some more of what all of you have suggested. Thanks!

Thank you all for your help. I'm having trouble with a best answer so I hope you don't mind that I am putting it to a vote. I will use as many suggestions as possible during my decision making process.

Answer 1

The first thing is to know that weather school is a registered institution. The quality of teachers and the atmosphere matters a lot.

Answer 2

I'm doing the same thing right now. I think you should ask about the educational qualifications of the teachers. How many of them have advanced degrees. What the ratios are for student:teacher (they usually depend on the age of the student). Also ask about the extracurricular activities. Definitely ask about their philosophy on how students learn. I've found that some schools' philosophy doesn't line up with what my husband and I want for our son. If it is an grade school to high school type institution, ask about the colleges that their graduates attend. You don't want to pay $20000 a year if all the kids end up going to junior college.

Answer 3

Rather than asking questions, it's fine to discuss with the tuition for a couple of days and become aware of categories. Just take a seat at the back of the room and watch trainer tactics, elegance dynamics and curriculum emphases. Observe recess and lunchtime as good. If a skills tuition does no longer permit such passive statement, that's a purple flag.

Answer 4

The BEST thing to do is come up with reasons to stroll the school while in session. Observe the children. Talk to the children. Talk to the Parents.

If Parents and Teachers are around and start looking at you funny or to question you, say your child is going to start going there.
For the Teachers say your a little lost, thinking and just trying to observe activities a little to know what to expect.
For the Parents tell them your looking around and your trying to get good and bad points.

I think some parents try to enroll their children into MANY schools and every school they visit, then if one doesn't have space or if problems are found out later.. your not left holding your kid back.

You might want to do searches for reviews of the schools your thinking of haveing your child go to,...

If your lucky you'll some how get into contact with parents who children graduated or they pulled their children out.



It's too late when you learn from your child that there are problems at school. Best to get everything posible ahead of time.

Some Schools have high rates of things like Lice. Some schools have more sucsessful/prepared children. etc... And some times the children/parents currently enrolled haven't noticed problems yet.

Answer 5

Its good to look at the overall academic picture, (sometimes elementary schools are ranked in the newspaper) and to observe the school when its in session, but you should also look at class size (#1), their educational philosophy, what extra programs are offered (like art and music, because some schools don't) how early they begin foreign language, and especially for little kids, if they have recess, because little kids need that.

Answer 6

Keep in mind that it wont be just your decision. Many private schools have entrance exams and interviews. I think it's too soon to do too much research this early. I would wait until he is in pre-K.

Answer 7

one of the things i w3ould make sure of is their curriculim, and compare it to public schools, and i would ask for a list of their extra curricular activities. this is the same thing i am going through with my son. he is also 2.5 . best of luck, hun.