Choosing the best school for your child is a significant decision that can shape their educational journey and overall development. As parents, navigating kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high school options can feel daunting. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
We’ll share five crucial tips at each stage of your child’s education to help you make a well-informed decision. Considering these factors, you’ll be better prepared to choose a school that aligns with your child’s needs and sets them up for success.
To get a better idea of what school options may be available to your family, check out our guides to traditional public school, public charter school, public magnet school, private school, homeschooling, online learning, and microschooling.
Understanding the Types of Schools in K-12 Education
Traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, homeschooling, and microschooling are the seven main forms of K-12 education options.
Choosing a Kindergarten Tips
Movement is a must. Find out what the school or learning environment offers for physical movement and time outside. Engaging motor skills, learning to control the whole body and developing core muscles, is one of the best forms of learning for four and five-year-olds.
Teachers need help. Learn about the teacher’s resources, including whether volunteers or assistants help in the classroom and what professional development opportunities exist. Teachers with strong support networks are more likely to provide kindergarteners with an education full of excitement and wonder.
Size matters. Keep in mind that kids ages four and five are going through a lot of changes. They are starting to do things on their own, but they still need help with things like holding pencils the right way and dealing with buttons and shoelaces. When choosing a school, it’s important to think about how many kids are in each class. Smaller classes mean teachers can give more attention to each student.
Pinpoint the philosophy. When exploring kindergartens, consider the school’s teaching philosophy. Different methods, such as Montessori, Waldorf, or traditional approaches, can impact how subjects are introduced and the school’s learning goals. Ask about how the philosophy is put into practice, such as handling behavioral challenges and parental involvement.
Pal with other parents. Kindergarten can be a precious time for your child to make some of his or her first friends. If you have the opportunity, visit a prospective kindergarten during an open house where you can get to know other prospective families.
Feel free to use this checklist to help you find the perfect kindergarten for your child. By checking off each item, you can confidently prepare for a successful educational adventure tailored to your child’s needs.
Kindergarten Parent Checklist
- Are the opportunities for physical movement and outdoor time aligned with your expectations for student engagement?
- How well do the volunteers or classroom assistants meet your criteria for supporting teachers effectively?
- Does the school’s teaching philosophy resonate with your preferences? (e.g., Montessori, Waldorf, traditional)
- To what extent does the school uphold and communicate its teaching philosophy in a manner that meets your expectations?
- How do the school’s approaches to managing behavioral challenges align with your expectations for student support?
- In what ways does the school encourage and facilitate parental involvement that meets your standards?
- Does the school create a friendly environment where kids can make friends easily?
Choosing an Elementary School Tips
Choose personalization. When choosing a school, consider your child’s personality, interests, and individuality. Keep in mind that the best school choice for your family may differ from your neighbor’s.
Peers are powerful. Kids often become more social at the elementary school age and are influenced by the people around them. When visiting a prospective elementary school, check the school culture, staff commitment to the mission, support from older students, and the overall atmosphere.
Learn what they’ll learn. Elementary school can feel like a big academic step up from kindergarten. It’s important to know the learning goals for this age. You can inquire with prospective schools or check your state’s Department of Education website for general learning standards by grade. This will help you support your elementary students effectively.
Tech talks. The use of educational technology tools in classrooms is rapidly increasing. It’s important to ask prospective schools about the kind of technology they use. Not everyone agrees on the amount of screen time or use of learning technologies for elementary students, so find a school that aligns with your views on technology usage.
By the bus or your Toyota Rav4? If you live in a state with open enrollment, Educational Savings Accounts (ESA), or charter schools that provide transportation support, you have the opportunity to explore a variety of elementary schools beyond your neighborhood. This allows you to explore different options to find the best fit for your child. When exploring schools, consider transportation for getting to and from school every day.
Elementary School Parent Checklist
- Does the school take into account your child’s personality, interests, and individuality in their approach to education?
- Does the school culture foster positive social interactions among students?
- What kinds of educational technology tools are used in the classroom?
- Are you comfortable with the amount of screen time or use of learning technologies in the school?
- What are your transportation options for getting to and from the school every day?
Choosing a Middle School Tips
Imagine the average day. Middle school is a crucial time for a child’s intellectual development. When considering learning options, it’s important to think about what a typical day might look like in different environments. When visiting middle schools, ask about the curriculum, teaching methods, and a typical daily schedule for students.
Scout out clubs. Middle school is a critical time for children to develop healthy relationships with others. It’s when students become interested in connecting with their broader community and often get involved in community activities and extracurriculars.
Is it pro-parent? Consider parental involvement at potential middle schools. Inquire about each school’s communication with parents, frequency of communication, policies for keeping parents informed about their child’s progress and challenges, and parent-welcomed events.
Give the school a visit. It’s important to visit schools to get a sense of the environment. Look for open houses, schedule visits, and have conversations. Pay attention to cleanliness, staff-student interactions, and available resources.
Make middle school an adventure. Be positive in discussing with your child what he or she hopes to learn and explore in middle school. Letting your child be a part of the school choice will help them feel empowered and excited to shoulder the new academic responsibilities of middle school. Again, don’t let the decision be all about academics: Middle school is the perfect time to encourage your child to explore electives and hobbies.
Feel free to use this checklist to navigate the journey of finding the perfect middle school for your child. Encourage your middle schooler to participate in reviewing this checklist. Their insight can be helpful in making sure your chosen school aligns with their interests.
Middle School Parent Checklist
- What does the day-to-day look like for students?
- Do they offer extracurricular activities/sports/clubs that you are interested in continuing?
- Do they provide diverse clubs and activities?
- Is the school pro-parent? Do they foster parent involvement?
- Does the school offer resources for parents and students?
- Do they offer hobbies that may interest your child?
Choosing a High School Tips
Reflect on past experiences. Consider your child’s past learning experiences to identify what type of high school environment would suit them best. Don’t rule out alternative learning options like microschools, online schooling, and homeschooling without exploring their potential benefits. Opportunities to combine these alternatives with a rich community life and extracurricular activities are growing rapidly.
Choose wisely. High school is a time of significant change for students. It’s important to consider factors like class size, school climate, and safety when choosing a school. Visiting schools in person can help make the decision easier. Ultimately, finding a school that excites your high schooler is key.
About the alumni. Looking at a high school’s alumni community can help you get a better sense of that school’s culture and mission. What have the school’s graduates gone on to do? Are there alumni who support the school and who are willing to network with current students? High school students often have a strong desire to discover a career path or vocation, and an active alumni network can be a helpful resource.
Align values and interests. In late high school, students may be interested in exploring topics like social policy and personal responsibility. High schools have different missions, such as focusing on college prep, community involvement, or building global citizens. Consider your family’s values and your student’s interest in impacting society when choosing a school.
Grades… and what else? Many schools offer extracurricular activities like sports, academic bowls, and artistic performances. Encourage your students to explore options and choose activities they’re interested in. Extracurriculars provide a deeper dive into subjects or hobbies beyond grades.
Feel free to use this checklist as your trusted companion on the journey to finding the ideal high school for your child. Invite your high schooler to join you in checking off items on this list as they become more vocal about their school preferences.
High School Parent Checklist
- Does the school prioritize factors like class size, school climate, and safety?
- Does the school provide information about the achievements and career paths of its alumni?
- Does the school align its mission with values important to your family and your student’s interests?
- Does the school encourage students to explore and participate in extracurricular activities?
Learn more
Still feeling stuck? Taking our Family’s School Choice Priorities quiz can help you clarify what matters most to your family. This interactive quiz on crucial factors such as teaching approach, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
You can also explore our Guide to Evaluating School Information Online for comprehensive assistance in making informed decisions. This resource offers valuable insights into interpreting school data, understanding educational philosophies, and effectively navigating online resources.
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