Where will your child go to school?

by,

Jenna Gilfillan, M.Ed.

An educator who loved her time teaching in both private and public schools.

It's one of those parenting decisions that feels heavy. If you are exploring options beyond the public school you are zoned for, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Let your family values lead your choice and make sure you are informed. There is a ton of misinformation out there! Allow this blog post to help frame some of those tough choices.

Consider this: What do you see as the purpose of school at this stage for your child?

We know that at an early age, an academic foundation develops at school. In middle school years, students are practicing more independence and beginning to hone in on their interests and talents. In high school, the purpose shifts to readiness for life after high school.

Social Influences

No matter the school, there will be mostly thoughtful, kind kids and adults who are a positive and uplifting influence on your child. No matter the school, there will also be individuals who are more difficult, socially or otherwise.

Things to remember

• You are your child's most significant influence. Not a teacher, a peer, or a school. They have been watching and learning from you since day one, and that will continue to be what matters most.

• Believe what you experience more than what you hear. Every school has disgruntled parents and satisfied parents. Go for a tour. Ask questions. See for yourself.

• Be able to articulate your 'why,' no matter the school you choose.

• What makes a school the best? This question does not have an answer because what is best varies depending on the needs and values of the family. Beware of promises of being the right fit for every child. Focus on what makes the biggest impact- teacher qualifications, intentional curriculum and teaching practices, individualized whole-child support, and a caring staff.

Resist the distracting pressures of scarcity marketing tactics, the allure of beating waitlist odds, cosmetic appeal, or promises of unlimited resources.

Below are some 'whys' shared by local parents.

We intentionally selected the quotes that were examples of more common answers. Some of the quotes are paraphrased from more than one response about more than one school, but we were careful to maintain the integrity of each message.

• My kids attend two different schools because they benefit from different things. One daughter is at [private school] because they have a strong athletic and drama program. The other daughter is at [public school] because she wants to attend the same school as her neighborhood friends and is less interested in performing arts. Academically, they are both doing well and might end up at the same high school. We haven't figured that out yet.

  
  

• Our family is [charter school] because our neighbors told us that they love it, so we decided to try it as well. It goes up to 8th grade, so we don't have to worry about switching for middle school.

  
  

• We opted for [public school] because it's our neighborhood school, and it might not be perfect, what school is?, but it's important to us that she is immersed in the real world from an early age. We wouldn't change a thing. [Child's name] has friends with special needs and friends from various cultures- it's her norm, and we love it. Plus, she adores her teachers.

  
  

• I chose [a public school] because my child has special needs. They have additional support from specialists who are held accountable by state standards. I can't afford to pay for services like these privately.

  
  

• We chose [a private school] because our faith is an important part of our family, and it's important to us that our [a religion] values are part of their school experience as well.

  
  

• We invest in a [private] school because we want the best for our child.

  
  

• We are at [a public school] because [child's name] is a gifted learner. They need challenge and will benefit from the public school rigor, and especially the AG program.

  
  

• The [charter] school where my kids go is known for its academic rigor. I want my kids to have a strong academic foundation so they can get into a good college in the future.

Questions to ask when touring schools:

• What is your student-to-teacher ratio?

• What certifications are required of your teachers?

• What curriculum do you use? Do teachers have autonomy to adjust the curricular materials to fit the needs of their students?

• How often do kids get time outside?

• What specialists do the kids experience?

• Do you offer specialized support for special needs or gifted learners?

• What extracurricular options are there? (Battle of the Books, after-school clubs, leadership opportunities, etc.)

• What safety protocols do you have in place?

• What technology is used by students?

• What additional costs can I expect, and are they required? Lunch, field trips, uniforms, donations, class events, parent association, after-school care, etc.

• What does parent involvement look like at your school?

• What is a typical schedule?

• What support is provided when a child needs extra help academically?

• What social-emotional or character education support is provided?

If you want help talking it out, email hello@arboroempowered.com, and we can set you up with someone who can help. Our team is made up of teachers with experience in public, private, virtual, homeschool, and charter schools- so there is sure to be an advisor who works for you!

Comment Below:

What other questions are good to ask on tours?

What other considerations make a difference to you when determining what school to attend?