Switching Schools? How to Find One That Meets Your Child's Needs

Finding a new school for your child can be challenging. There are many factors to consider such as academic reputation and school safety. Regardless of the reason you are looking for a new school, selecting a suitable school requires you to conduct diligent research. Here are five tips to help you find a school that meets your child's needs.

Get Referrals

The best way to find a new school for your child is to get referrals from friends, family members and colleagues who have school-aged children. People who have intimate knowledge about various schools can provide you with information that you will not find on a school's website. Another good thing about asking your close friends and family about prospective schools is they will provide honest assessments. It is best to know the good and the bad aspects of a school before you enroll your child.

Assess Academic Programs

The primary purpose of attending a school is for your child to learn. A school might have good extracurricular activities, but that will not matter if its core academic components are below average. A good academic program consists of strong language arts and STEM programs. A strong language arts programs focuses on reading fluency, comprehension and math. An effective STEM program offers an up-to-date curriculum in science, technology, engineering and math. The core of a solid STEM program should consist of equipment from Buckeye Educational Systems, learning-based projects, and collaborative groups.

Visit Prospective Schools

When you visit prospective schools, you should plan to visit the school a few times during different parts of the day. As you tour the school, pay close attention to the climate of the school, staff and student interactions, cleanliness, safety, teaching styles and classroom learning environments.

Read School Reviews

There are several informative websites that will provide you with a wealth of information about prospective schools. For example, greatschools.org provides a quick and convenient way for you to get information about a school's test scores, community ranking and parent reviews.

Get Your Child's Input

Since your child will be affected by the new school environment, consult with your child about preferences for the new school. Let your child make a list of things that are important to have at the school. Having a say in the matter will make your child feel included.

By following these tips, you can find a school that meets your child's needs.