With the public school system in a state of flux as it struggles with financial burdens and public criticism, many parents are choosing to enroll their children in private schools. Large, small, religious or non-denominational, private education can provide your child with a more streamlined academic experience than she might receive in public school.
But finding the right private institution can be challenging. You don't want to move your child from one school to the next each time one doesn't work out. You hope to find the most suitable academic institution and program that will help your child maximize his or her learning potential.
As you begin the search, keep a few things in mind:
1. Private education can be costly. Figure out how much your family can afford to pay in private school tuition. Some schools require each year's tuition in advance, while others accept monthly, quarterly, or biannual payments. Some school business offices prefer payroll deductions or a separate school account with direct deposit. Deciding how much you can afford and how you want to pay the bill may have a bearing on the school you select.
2. Consider transportation needs. Some of the better schools may be located several miles from where you live. If the school does not provide van or bus transportation, you will need to get your child to school on time each day, and be there on time for pickup after school. For working parents a school schedule and driving time may pose a hardship, so be sure to factor these concerns into the equation.
3. Evaluate the curriculum and teaching methods. Perhaps the most important consideration is what your child will learn at a school. Review course offerings and learning objectives. Inquire about teaching methods; hopefully, a variety of techniques are offered to appeal to the twelve or more recognized learning styles of today's students, as indicated in these samples:
-aural (listening)
-visual (seeing, reading)
-spatial (moving among varied learning centers)
-interactive (two or more people involved)
Find out what your child's primary learning style is. Some students have two or more dominant styles, but others prefer one. You may wish to have your child tested at an academic testing center such as those found on university campuses or at a counseling center.
4. Find out how your child will be evaluated. Are most examinations based on reading and writing? What happens if a child is a slow reader? Does the school accept physically- or mentally-challenged students? Are there honors classes? Basic skills courses?
5. Inquire about discipline. Is corporal punishment used? Work assignments? Merits and demerits? Detentions? Get a copy of the student conduct handbook so you will know what behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable.
6. After prioritizing your list of preferred traits, look for potential schools through a variety of media:
-telephone yellow pages
-Web search
-public school inquiries
-word of mouth
-coworkers and family members
7. After the first telephone inquiries, make an appointment to tour the facility and discuss the criteria outlined above. Ask other questions that come to mind, including a request for print materials to take with you. Inquire as to the benefits of a particular school over public education: "What can you offer my child that the public schools cannot?"
Finding a suitable private school is time consuming but worth the effort. Depending on age, involve your child in the process as far as getting a feel for the campus, the teachers, and the students before making a final selection. Hopefully your first choice will be the last until your child graduates.
