How can a parent tell if the school they are enrolling their student in is a good school? Are there signs we can look for when we go for a visit?
2006-11-25 15:16:02 · 6 answers · asked by PJ 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Signs of a weak school:
1) Lack of parental involvement
2) Teachers who don't communicate or care to communicate with parents
3) Teachers who are not backed up by their administration
I'm afraid it's hard to tell completely by just walking into a school, but some things to look for are: student work hanging in the classroom on hallways, smiling faces from students and teachers, readily-accesible principals, and an open door policy that invites parents to come to school for observations and/or casual visits. Also, talk to parents in the area and ask them about their feelings towards the school. Above all else, LISTEN-anytime you are in public and hear a conversation about the school, try to hear what is being said...if you hear more bad than good, you might not be satisfied with the school. That sounds like eavesdropping, but hey, it works!
2006-11-25 15:29:44 · answer #1 · answered by rdnck_grl_ms_007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What grade level? If we're talking about elementary, middle or high school the NCLB laws require that all public schools show accountability with published scores. It shouldn't be too hard to find out how your child's school ranks with other schools in the area.
You can ask about before and after school programs, tutoring options, clubs, sports, fine arts, performing arts, etc. and make it your business to become an active volunteer in the classroom, on field trips, etc.
If you're talking about college, you can start with questions about how long it takes the average student to graduate, what are graduation rates, what are job placements rates, etc. Many of these items can be found in US News & World Report.
2006-11-25 15:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by College Advisor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the children. Do they seem happy or are they unruly & miserable by being out of control? Visit the classrooms & look at the walls. Are they stimulating visually or just boring & useless as a ceiling full of holes. Walk the hallways & listen. You can hear a lot by just hanging out OFF the school yard & listen to what the kids say. They talk about their day & their teachers. Ask some other parents & call your local police department & ask about the number of incident calls that they have on record from that schools address. It will open your eyes to some of the unseen problems!
2006-11-25 15:29:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
As a teacher, I will tell you that it's the administration and the teachers that make or break a school.
Do you feel welcomed? Are the staff friendly? Do they seem happy to be there? Are there many extra-curricular things happening? Check out the school's website.
2006-11-25 15:23:40 · answer #4 · answered by Heather B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about colleges? Here's some signs: if the majority of the instructors do not have their PhD, it's not a good school. If the library is dead empty, it's not a good school, it means that the teachers aren't assigning the students anything. I dunno. Good luck!
2006-11-25 15:19:29 · answer #5 · answered by Howdy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess if it's rich or not, if the teachers are good, if they listen to what their students think, if its civilized(LOLZ)
2006-11-25 15:19:29 · answer #6 · answered by Shmily P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋