How To Choose the Right School For Your Child

If you're like me then this is a decision that you have agonised over and are anxious to get right. Perhaps you've imagined your daughter, ten or twenty years down the track, in tears and life in ruins, she turns to you and points her finger accusedly as she says, "It's all your fault, Mum, if only you didn't send me to that school!" So you have to get this decision right, right?

I've worked in all types of schools from really expensive high end private schools to public schools in tough neighbourhoods, and you might be surprised as to what I recommend.

 If you're stuck and feeling confused about school fees, academic ranking, teaching and locations, then read on. There may be no need to re-mortgage your house to afford fees for only the first year of a very pricy and prestigious school.

Check out the list and see what resonates in helping you make that big decision about where to send your child to school.

1. Consider your child

Before ANYTHING else, this is the most important consideration. What are your child's interests, activities, academic and social goals? Not all schools are created equal, they all have their own cultures and "vibes." Imagine a school is like a bowl of fruit. Some schools are pineapples and some are grapes; you have to figure out what fruit appeals to your child. Some some times getting to know your child's deepest desires, dreams, strengths and limitations. And don't forget, what your child may like one week (or year) may change the next.

2. Examine your values

What values do you want to instil in your child? I worked at a private girl's school that valued service to community and each day the girls were expected to commit to helping non-profit groups like local hospitals and children's charities. The girls were encouraged to be grateful for what they had in life and to share in the spirit of helping others.

Perhaps you are a mad sporting family and the local school runs a fantastic sporting programme run by an inspiring leader. My own son was part of a sports programme in high school and the head coach was also a fantastic mentor to his students. He taught my son values we endorsed, such as personal responsibility, taking pride in one's work and being part of the community.

Maybe you hold socialist values and the thought of a private school culture where students are fed with a silver spoon gives you the chills. Or, you aren't necessarily religious, but you agree that a Catholic school would provide your children with values that appeal such as compassion and service.

Think about you and your family's values and check out the schools that align with these.

3. Look at the practical aspects

Location, travel, fees and other children at school are examples of practical aspects that need consideration. A school might look appealing, but may be an hour's drive away for you. I know a family that sent their children to a high-school where the kids were required to take two trains and be picked up from the train-station. In the parent's mind, the travel distance was worth it and they did not want to move away from their beautiful house in the hills.

You decide what's right for you and your children in this circumstance. Could they cope with the commute?

Additionally, if you have multiple children and want to send them to different schools you may need to assess the practicality of this. My brother and I went to two separate high schools and it did not impact our family situation. I took the bus to school and my brother rode his bike.

If sending your kids to multiple locations will put too much added stress on the family unit, consider if it is worth it. There may be other ways to ensure your child gets their needs met without it putting too much added pressure.

4. Investigate the culture of the school

Once you've decided on a list of potential schools, go meet the Principal, speak to the teaching staff, look at the school grounds, read the school's value statement and check out any programs the school has to offer.

A good tip is to go and have a look at the school's administration staff; do they seem happy and have a good working relationship with the staff around them? Can you ask them for their impression of the school? A good answer would be, "I would send my child here!"

5. Give the Principal the Inquisition

It is important to try to meet the Principal or at least talk to some parents who know him or her. Principals have a massive influence on the culture and values of a school. The academic and non-academic programs the school offers will be largely influenced by the Principal.

If the staff are treated well and the school is functioning efficiently, these are the signs of effective and quality leadership. Look for a school with a Principal who engages with students and the community and has an enthusiasm for their school. Look for an optimistic leader; one willing to build a culture of excellence not only in the academic realm, but also in areas that foster student personal growth and community building.

6. Inspect the school grounds and facilities

Is the school clean, beautiful and have the facilities that your child would benefit from? Nature play in early childhood was important for our family so we looked for a kindergarten with an expansive outdoor area with a large nature playground. In this place our daughter was surrounded with a tree-house, vegetable patches, a fairy garden and a timber play-ground constructed with local materials. She thrived in this environment.

So, consider what your child's aptitudes are and go check out the school grounds and facilities. These include things like gym equipment, IT labs and computing facilities, the library and theatre.

7. Have a chat

Talk to other parents who have a child that goes to the school or has graduated. What was their experience? Ask them about the positives and negatives about the place. Keep in mind that everyone's opinion is different but if you are hearing the same feedback from multiple different people, it may be worth listening to.

I loved the pre-kindy my daughter attended but I'm not sure it would suit all children as it could get pretty loud at times and might be overwhelming for kids of a quieter, gentler nature.

Occasionally, you might meet someone who had a bad experience at a school that you are drawn to for your child. Remember that it's important to get a wide picture of a place and that not everyone's experiences will be the same. What's good for the goose...as is said.

8. Check the stats

If academics are important to you and you believe your child would cope in a competitive environment, check the school's academic results online by accessing school, government and independent data. By beware of the nuances that go into calculating these numbers. Some school's results are the consequences of a few high performers which mights lift up the rest of the cohort. Other schools have been known to skew their results by leaving out large proportions of their students in standardised testing.

Consider what some schools can offer your high achievers such as Gifted and Talented Programs, extension courses, debating teams or STEAM opportunities. Don't rule out schools which may seem less high performing on the league tables; they may have specialised programs or classes that could be perfect for your child.

And finally,

Try to remember that no school is perfect and your child will probably encounter some discomforts along their educational journey. Your job is to be there as the supporting guide and attune yourself to their needs. Don't be surprised if there interests change and grow over the years; they are evolving and expanding like us too.

Your intuition will be your best guide. That gut feeling when you go into the right place will be your number one tool in deciding what is best for your family.

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How to Choose the Right School For Your Child

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