Which Private School is Right for Your Child?
If you’re thinking about private school for your child there are many factors to consider. Private schools can be extremely different and it’s important to evaluate each school before making such an important (and expensive) decision. As an experienced elementary school teacher who has taught at a range of private schools (both independent and religious) in Los Angeles and San Diego, I have a unique perspective to offer parents that can help them make this major decision. I have also worked on the schools’ admissions teams and understand what they are looking for in prospective students and families.
During admissions season, most schools will have some type of Open House or tour that will introduce you to the highlights of their campus and the best of their faculty members. These events can be overwhelming if you are just starting to look at schools and haven’t entered the “big kid school” experience yet. What questions should you ask? How can you get the real information you are looking for when you know each school is showcasing the best of their school versus the daily reality?
When looking at private schools it is important to take into consideration your child’s personality and how they learn best. Not every school is right for every child. Here is a breakdown of the areas I recommend you consider and what to ask or look for to get the real information you need.
Classrooms:
While on your tour look very carefully at each classroom. Are the students sitting individually in rows and not next to peers? This could be a sign of a more traditional, rigorous, academic environment with little collaboration and communication encouraged. Are they sitting in pairs or in pods? The school is probably more open to working in groups and less rigid about talking with fellow students to problem solve, collaborate, etc.
Is there a space for students to sit other than desks? For younger grades, it’s usually a big carpet or maybe a cozy reading nook. This shows you some flexibility in seating and movement allowed in the classroom and not sitting at desks all day.
Look at the work on the walls. Do you see individuality and creativity? Or does the work look like a cookie cutter replica of each other. Is there a lot of writing? Does it look like the students actually produced it? Is there art that is student made or teacher driven?
Watch the teachers interact with students. Do they get to their eye level? Are they lecturing at the front of the classroom or walking around checking in on students? How many teachers are in the classroom?
Campus:
A huge concern these days is safety. Take notice of the protocol when you check in for your tour. Do they check ID? Is the door or gate locked? Do they have a security guard?
Take a look at the playground. Can you see your child playing here? What would they gravitate towards?
Look around at the students, faculty, and other parents. Do you see diversity? Is this a place your child and your family will feel included and accepted?
Questions to ask:
What does a typical day look like?
How much time is spent sitting at a desk?
Do they allow students to work together and collaborate?
What is their philosophy on learning? Do they allow for hands-on learning or is it a lot of work/text books?
How many recesses/breaks per day?
Do they have special classes like music, art, etc? How often do they have these classes?
How do they support social and emotional learning?
How do they handle conflict between students?
What is their process for evaluating student progress?
How accessible are the teachers?
Are there volunteer opportunities for parents in the classroom? Out of the classroom? Are there social gatherings for parents/families throughout the year? Having a strong connection between school and home is proven to help your child be more successful. The more you can be involved in the school community, the better for your child.
What experience do the teachers have? Are they all credentialed? How many years on average have they taught at the school? If they have high turnover it means teachers aren’t happy and is not a good sign. You’d be surprised to learn that some private schools don’t have super high standards when it comes to hiring teachers and some don’t even have credentials!
When choosing a private school it’s critical to examine factors beyond the school’s reputation, location, price, etc. Not every learning environment is suited for every student and it’s crucial to evaluate and reflect on which kind of learning environment would be the most appropriate for your child. At the end of the day, you know your child best and choosing the right environment will help set them up for success instead of trying to box them into a mold which doesn’t fit.
