If you are looking for a new school for your child, your child’s strengths, interests, and specific needs will be the best guides for making the right decision. The variety of choices available on the Central Coast can make this choice seem complicated. With excellent public schools and a wide variety of charter and private school options, parents are sometimes confused as to where to start the search.
The best place to start is by making a list of the features you want in the school your child attends. According to the U.S. Department of Education website, some of the basics to look for at any effective school include:
• High expectations
• Great teachers and staff
• Busy, visible children
• Rigorous curriculum
• Vibrant parent-teacher association
• Parents welcomed and questions answered
1. Research online first. To get a better impression of a particular school, start with their website. Then check national review sites (but don’t put a ton of faith in the rankings–it’s just a starting point!). Finally, ask questions in a local parent group like the Monterey Bay Parent Group on Facebook or ask friends. Personal input from parents with students attending the school are your best source of information.
2. Attend an open house. Your next step is to attend open houses at the various schools you are considering. If possible, choose in-person visits. If the school isn’t currently offering them, arrange an in-person tour. The ideal visit would be at a time when you can see the school in session on a regular day. You can learn a lot by observing the atmosphere during lunch break or when classes are changing.
3. Look at Extracurricular Clubs and Activities. Are there any that suit your child? If your child is involved in athletics or activities outside of school, what the school offers may not be important. But if your child wants to play a school sport, for instance, you’ll need to choose a school that offers that.
4. Learn How You Could Be Involved. Do you see parents volunteering in the classrooms? Is there a newsletter sent to parents with news? Does the school encourage volunteering in the classroom? If that is important, you need to know what the opportunities are ahead of time.
5. Trust Your Gut. Once you’ve gathered the info, it’s time to decide. The school you choose will make a difference in your child’s future, so take the time to research your options and choose the school that feels the best to both of you.