My father went to a public school. He tells me it was his oldest brother who took him and got him admitted and even got his birth date wrong on the form. And even though the wrong birth has stuck with him, he says education was a privilege for his generation and a lot of generations after his.
However, when it was time for his only daughter’s admission, he chose a convent school. Thankfully the convent school rejected 4 year old me and I went to the same co-ed school as my brother. My father believes this to be divine intervention and regrets nothing.
And I had a great school life.
All this to say, that we have come a lo-ong way as a country and as a society and our evolution isn’t even over yet. As an educator and full time nerd, i feel very excited and proud of all that is happening in our country in the education space. But as a teacher I also know that all these choices and different schools of thoughts can also feel overwhelming for a parent who’s setting out to choose a school for their child.
Especially when you are a first time parent, nothing is as daunting as picking the right school for your child. It’s going to be their second home for the rest of their life, it’s going to become a big part of their personality and it’s where they’ll learn about the world. So, it’s a big one especially with so many options out there today.
But one way to make any big and difficult decision easy is to break it down. Here are some things to consider when making this decision.
School’s philosophy and methodology
Every school has a different vision, a different value system, a different methodology, just like every family has a different value system, lifestyle and food habits. The differences range from small to big but they are definitely there. And it’s so important to understand what the school that you are choosing for your child stands for. Are they conventional in terms of their thinking and methodology or do they value individuality and difference of opinions? Are they solely academic oriented or do they promote all round development?
Understanding the school’s approach will help you decide if they are the right fit for your child considering your child’s needs and future aspirations. For example if you want your child to study abroad, you choose a school and board that is more creative in their teaching methods, a school that encourages your child to be a critical thinker.
Academic excellence and Reputation
A school’s curriculum is an often ignored feature of their personality but an important one in my opinion. Research the school’s curriculum to see if they bring updates to it, if they are constantly working on it and also to understand if this fits with your child’s interests and learning style.
Another very important point of research is how the school’s alum’s think of their school. Do past students have good things to share about their school and its teachers and faculty says a lot about the school’s services.
Infrastructure and Safety
A school is more than just classrooms and also classrooms of today need to be way more than what they were when we were growing up. Some other point stop consider about a school are it’s playground and the kind of sports it’s equipped for, whether it has a decent-sized library, how well are their science and computer labs equipped? Also have their classrooms evolved digitally.
These points are great markers of how much the school invests on extra curricular and skills that have become a necessity now.
Also inquire about the school’s security systems.
Class-size
Class size and student-teacher ratio is so vital to creating a positive learning experience for your child and cannot be overlooked. A smaller classroom means that every child will be heard, will get to express themselves, making for better engagement. It also means that every child will get opportunities to participate and express themselves in the classroom, while also facilitating a meaningful relationship between students and the teacher.
Teaching staff
A school is nothing without its teachers, they are the heart of any educational institution. Passionate educators impact children in big ways. They make them fall in love with learning! They equip them with confidence to deal with the world. They help them find their path and reach their full potential. A school is only good if their teachers are capable of understanding their students.
Proximity
This is a small point but it’s an important one for me. I feel a good school is one that is not too far to reach. A long commute time twice a day means that your child will not have much life after school and while school is very important, it’s as important that it doesn’t become your child’s entire life. A school that is close to you will leave your child the time to explore other interests and learn other things.
This said, one thing to remember is that these are just some pointers to break down a seemingly daunting task. It’s not a prioritized list. It’s you who gets to decide what holds more importance for you. It’s you who know your child the best and this decision should be only and only about your child, not about you or what anyone says, thinks or does.
Another thing I’d like to say is that I genuinely believe that while the school will play a really big role in your child’s life, it’s the parent who is their first school. So have faith in your parenting and your contribution in your child’s life.
Happy Schooling! Happy Parenting!