Things to ask when looking for a new school

We’re looking for a new school for my daughter and I sure have learned a lot.

We’re looking for a new school for my daughter and I sure have learned a lot. She’s in pre-school now and we want something that will provide a good pre-Kindergaten and Kindergarten program.

We’re checking all the important things like teacher to student ratio and the school learning programs. We sat in on a few classes. We’ve asked around for recommendations from other parents.

We are aslo touring the different schools. Instead of doing it together we are doing it separately so we can see the school at different days and times.

There is a lot involved in this. I know before I was a parent I would have thought I knew the importance of the right school but I really didn’t.

The school my daughter is in now is just not what we want it to be. It’s not a bad place. I certainly couldn’t take her every day to a place Ithought was bad. It’s just not great and her other school was great – we want great again.

So, here’s our list:

Check teacher certifications – do they have the right qualifications

Check money behind the school – this may sound silly but one school closed down and re-opened

How do the kids compare to other schools – ask other parents what their kids of the same age are learning at other schools

How is discipline handled

What are the holidays and school closed days – as a working parent this can make a difference

If the school is a co-op – how often do you need to volunteer

Look at the kids – do they seem happy and interested, are they clean and prepared for school, are they the kind of kids you want your child to be friends with

If looking at private schools – is it affiliated with a church, do you agree with the church philosophy

Check the playground area – is it secure, this may seem paranoid but one school we looked at a playground that backed to woods, there was a small hill a child could be behind and easily snatched off in the woods, is there a high fence, are gates locked

I’m open to any other ideas for questions!