How to Choose a Private School

When it comes to selecting a private school, first, you need to ask yourself some questions:

- What do you think a school should provide?
- Is the school conveniently located to your home and work?
- What are your goals for your student?
- What are your student's goals?
- What activities and subject areas are important to your student?
- What are your student's special talents, strengths, weaknesses and needs?
- Have your child's need been met so far in his/her school exerience? What has and has not worked?
- Do your values mesh with what the school teaches?

Steps to take when evaluating a school:

- Visit the school in person. Brochures and videos can help you narrow your list, but it is imperative to visit the school.
- Observe the grounds and facilities, are they well maintained?
- Observe the students. What are they like? Are dress codes enforced?
- Observe the faculty. What are they like? Are dress codes enforced? Faculty and staff should look the part.
- Ask what kind of faculty turnover the school has had. This will be a good indicator whether the staff is content or not. A happy teacher tends to stay put and will more than likely retire from the school rather than move around a lot.