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When you make the decision to switch from public to private school, you are entering a whole new arena of education. There are new things to be careful of, and others to start taking for granted. How to approach the search, and what should you look for?
First of all, arrive at the school unannounced. This will allow you to see their level of preparedness, and efficiency. Is there a whole chain of bureaucracy to follow? Show up first thing in the morning so that if the school suits your fancy, your child can shadow. Proper school searching takes approximately one week, and should be done during the school year.
Have a spreadsheet of questions and a space for the answers. Once you arrive in the office with your child, explain that you are considering the school and ask who to talk to. You will then be taken to a private office. How nice is the office? The school will be putting it’s best face forward at this point, so if it is mediocre, the rest of the place probably will be as well.
Ask the religious denomination, school prayer schedule, if there are vacancies, student body number, approximate time for homework required each night, and percentage of students that go on to the next level of education. Remember to check if they are accredited, and get a copy of their student handbook. If all these answers please you, request for your student to shadow someone around for the day. They will then be placed with a similarly aged student and follow them around through the day’s worth of classes.
After your child has left, ask any remaining questions which you might have. Find out the tuition costs, if uniforms are required, the prices of the books, number of class trips taken per year, and ask for a school newspaper. Then it is time to take yourself to a few of the classes and sit in. The best classes to visit are math, science, and English. Most private schools will allow you to spend at least ten minutes in a few different classrooms to get a feel for the teaching style. Also be careful to look at the caliber of the classrooms, the cleanliness, and the exuberance. Is there student work all over? Does the place feel like somewhere that you can learn?
Your will then normally be required to leave, and pick up your child at the end of the day. When you do, don’t fill out any paperwork or make any financial commitments until you talk to your child. Ask your child if the other kids were friendly, if the teachers were all understanding and sensitive, if they like the school, and then to tell you about their experience. It is important that they like the school in order for them to do their very best in classes.
Even if you and your child fall in love with the very first school you visit, check a few more out to have a comparison. Then based on gut instinct, financial ramifications, and reputation, pick the school that best suits your child. Once they are attending make sure to check in regularly with their teachers to monitor their performance, and keep the communication channels open.
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