Choosing a Private School

When it comes to the finding the best educational fit for your child, there is no one size fits all. Some children thrive in a very structured, small environment; others love lots of group work and hands-on learning; still others need to feed their creative side.

As you begin to assess the best school environment, start with your child. Visit with other parents about their experiences. Go to the National Association of Private Schools for information on evaluating schools (napsschools.org).

Here are some things to consider when choosing a private school:

1. Consider your child’s temperament, academic ability and interests. If your child loves art, but the school you’re considering doesn’t have art class, you may want to choose another school or figure out how to add art to your child’s day.
2. Structure and environment. How does your child work best? Your neighbor’s child may love the open classroom concept and fluid movement at their school, but an open environment may make your child anxious.
3. Does the school’s approach to dealing with discipline problems align with your family’s values?
4. Religious or secular. What is the school philosophy? If it’s a religious school, does it align with your family’s religious values? What is the expectation for student involvement in religion at the school? What is the school’s philosophy, and what is their mission?
5. How does the school communicate with parents?
6. Beyond tuition, what other financial obligations will parents have?
7. What is the school’s safety plan, and what security measures does the school have?
8. How does the school handle bullying? Is there a written policy?
9. Is the school accredited? If so, by what organization?
10. What is the training of the staff, administration and teachers? Are background checks done on all employees?
11. What kind of counseling and support is available for students, both academic and personal?
12. Is the school aligned with state standards? How does the school evaluate students?
13. Are there opportunities for students to be involved in sports, drama and other activities?
14. What is the make-up of the student body? Is it diverse?
15. Does the school have accommodations for students with special needs or learning differences?