We live in a time when a parent has the liberty to select the public school of their choice; one that best fits the needs of the child. This seems so right and reasonable now, but it was not long ago that we were assigned schools based on the neighborhood in which we lived. Not anymore!!
So how do you select the best school that will not only nurture and love your child, but will challenge and work with your child to excel to world class academic standards, and make sure he/she develops the love of life-long learning? What are the qualities you need to look for in a great world class school? What should the vision and mission of the school tell you about the school? What should the curriculum look like? What should you ask teachers about how they teach? What questions should you ask current parents about the school? What qualities should you look for in the school leader – what questions should you ask of the principal and the school instructional leadership team?
This website is an aid for you as you look for that first school for your Kindergarten child; as you look for the very best middle school for your young teenager, and for the high school that will insure your young adult high test scores, acceptance into the college of their choice, and a growing maturity to become an involved and active citizen of our country.
Through our Discussion Forums, we also hope that you will use this website to connect with other parents in your city, state, around the country and even around the world - to have a place for parents to share ideas and ask each other questions, as well as to celebrate the great things that are happening in your child’s school.
Evaluating Your Child’s School: Questions to Ask
How well does your child’s school perform?
How does your child’s school perform relative to other schools in the state and across the country? How does your child score relative to her peers? How many of your child’s classmates will go to college? How many will drop out? Compare schools HERE.
How does your child’s school spend money?
How much does your district spend per pupil? How does that compare to other nearby districts? What portion of the school budget is spent on administration and overhead? What is the teacher to administrator ratio? How do their salaries compare?
What are the policies and programs at your child’s school?
Who can teach your children? Must all teachers be experts in the subjects they teach? What type of curriculum is taught at your child’s school? How is this curriculum chosen? What courses must your child take?
Do parents in your district have a choice?
Can you send your child to a charter school, magnet school, or another traditional public school in the district or state? How successful are these other programs? Are parents of children in these programs satisfied with their school?
Do you and your child feel comfortable at your child’s school?
Do you feel comfortable communicating with your child’s teachers and principal? Do you feel that your input and opinions about your child’s learning are valued? Is your child excited about learning, engaged in the classroom and pleased with his/her progress? Are you?
Is your child’s school safe?
Is your child safe inside of the school? Are there procedures at the school to protect your child from dangerous situations? What is the school's policy regarding safety of the students?