How to Find the Right School for Your Child
By Nicole Anderson
If you are like me you probably lost sleep over what school to enroll your child in. This is especially the case with people who move to new school districts or moving people moving their pre-schooler to kindergarten. Choosing the right school is one of the most critical decisions in your child's development. As hard as it is to admit, your child will spend more time at school with teachers and classmates then at home. After making my way through the school search I would like to share my hard-earned tips to making your search easier. First you will need to decide Public or Private School Some districts have highly rated public schools and others do not. Private schooling does not necessarily mean religious based school. There are of course plenty of religious based schools but there are also non-sequitarian private schools to choose from. There are many things to consider when deciding "public or private": 1 – Consider both Public and Private School OptionsPublic School OptionThe state education system is always under fire. That doesn't mean all public schools are bad. Do some simple research and see what you think about the school(s) in your area. - What is the local public school like? Tour the public school during school hours. This can be arranged with the admissions office. Look at the children who attend. Are these the friends you would like for your child? Peek in the class room(s), if allowed. Does it seem organized? Meet the teacher who would be teaching your child. Ask about schedule for school and class room size. You can find out the statistics for your local public school at www.publicschoolreveiw.com. This site will give you information on the school's performance for statewide testing, student to teacher ratio compared to state average, ethnicity of students attending, etc. It will give you great information on the school. Private School Option Your can find out what private schools are in your area by visiting www.privateschoolreveiw.com. This site will give you detailed information on number of students who attend, class size, student to teach ratio, etc. When choosing a private school a couple things to consider are: - Does the schools religious or ethics and moral instruction fall in line with how you want your child to be raised. - Is it within reasonable commuting distance from your home - Can you afford it? Although this is definitely not the most important point, it must be evaluated. Private schooling is not cheap. Prices normally range from $3500-$8000 per child per year. Most schools offer payment options generally structured to include an enrollment fee and then 6-12 month payment plans. Some private schools offer scholarships based on the child's academic performance and/or the parent's income. If you decide to enroll your child in a private school long term affordability is important. You do not want to have your child transferred due to lack of tuition payment. 2 – Do Your Homework on the School(s) Before deciding on a school you should do the following: - Call the school and ask for a brochure or packet on the school - Tour the school(s) you are considering - Meet the teacher(s) that will be teaching your child - If possible, view a class while in session - Ask questions, any and all questions you may have - Find out about class size - Know about the school schedule. Does it work with your life schedule? nce you have narrowed the search down to one or two schools have your spouse (if applicable) and child tour the school(s). Often you can schedule a tour with the school or attend an open house or parent meeting night. Talk to your child and spouse about the school: 1 – Do you like the school? Do you feel comfortable there? 2 – Does your child like the school and feel comfortable there? 3 – Was the curriculum up to your standards? About the Author Nicole Anderson offers information about unclaimed money at www.cashunclaimed.com. Cash Unclaimed's database covers all state and federal databases to ensure any money owed to you is found and offers unlimited name searches to members. Click on www.cashunclaimed.com for a free money search and locate your missing money today!
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