Exercise - Practical Elements

Consider:

• How far can my child travel to school?
• Do I need transportation provided, or can I get my child to school another way?
• Do I need before- or after-school care for my child?
• Does my child have any physical, emotional, linguistic or learning needs that require special attention?
• For high school, does my child want preparation for a skilled trade?
• Is college preparation a priority?
• Are modern school facilities important to me?
• What about technology?

Exercise - Philosophical Elements

Consider:

• Would my child be better suited to a small school environment, or would a large school be better for him?
• Do I want a school with several grade levels, such as K-12, where my child can remain for several years?
• How important is student diversity?

Exercise - Extracurricular Elements

Consider:

• How important are music and art programs?
• Are sports important? Which ones?
• Do I want a school where parents are expected to be very involved with activities and decisions?
• How does the school communicate with parents?
• Are foreign language classes important? Which languages?

Review each of your three lists and number your ideas in order of importance to you. While all the factors you`ve brainstormed may play some role in your decision, it`s unlikely that any school will have every single characteristic you`re looking for. The goal of this exercise is to clarify which components you can`t do without.

And finally

Don`t forget that the best way to find out whether a school is the right place for your child is to visit in person.