| It's better to ask good questions before enrolling | | | | example, would a small child receive a mid-morning |
| your child in a private school, rather than finding out | | | | snack? Are academic subjects taught earlier in the |
| the hard way! My husband and I recently decided | | | | day when the child is fresher, or in the afternoon? |
| which of the private schools in Boulder County, | | | | What breaks do they get for recess? Is there |
| Colorado, is the best fit for our child. In speaking with | | | | after-class care available? |
| other parents, school administrators, and teachers, I | | | | 6. What opportunities would you have for parental |
| have found there are certain key questions that | | | | involvement? If you're involved with the school, you |
| parents ask to choose their school. Choosing the right | | | | get to co-create the school experience while creating |
| private education is important, and this will make it | | | | a sense of community for your child. Plus, your |
| easier. | | | | involvement can give you a better understanding of |
| Top 10 Questions Parents Ask to Choose a Private | | | | your child's school experience. |
| School | | | | 7. How are unique individuals, with a variety of |
| 1. How does this school create a safe learning | | | | learning styles, addressed by this school? Children are |
| environment? I'm sure you know there are many | | | | all unique, and a certain child may flourish with an |
| safety issues nowadays, in public schools especially, | | | | approach that does not work well for another. |
| from drugs to violence. So when you're interviewing | | | | Hopefully, the school can explain how they teach to |
| a private school administrator, you'll probably want to | | | | every child's strength while also helping each child |
| ask how the school keeps children safe. | | | | develop strengths in new areas. |
| 2. What philosophy or theology is espoused by the | | | | 8. How does this school honor diversity? Depending |
| school, and what effect does this have on the | | | | on their location and structure, some schools are |
| children's classroom experience? A school may be | | | | required by law to have a policy of non-discrimination. |
| based on a philosophical or theological belief system | | | | Others are not. In addition, some schools' philosophy |
| about how children learn best. It's a good idea to be | | | | embraces diverse people and viewpoints. |
| sure you agree that a school's philosophy will benefit | | | | 9. How long has the school been established? Older |
| the children. | | | | schools often have a more established curriculum and |
| 3. What degrees or certifications do the teachers | | | | more facilities. At the same time, younger schools |
| hold? Many states allow private schools to hire | | | | sometimes have the advantage of smaller class sizes |
| teachers with different credentials than public school | | | | and sometimes tuition and fees are lower. |
| teachers are required to have. Some private school | | | | 10. What will it cost, and are there scholarships? Do |
| teachers' qualifications exceed the requirements of | | | | you have to pay a lump sum all at once, or are there |
| their public school counterparts, and some have | | | | easier payments? Along with the benefits of a |
| different training and experience altogether. | | | | private education, it's good to weigh the cost. |
| 4. What is the class size? The number of students | | | | After you ask these 10 questions, you will have a |
| per teacher can make a huge difference in how | | | | good start in understanding some basic differences |
| much individual attention a child receives. Would your | | | | between the schools. However, I wouldn't stop with |
| child learn best in a class of 50 or a class of 15 or 20? | | | | these 10! What educational choice will give your child |
| 5. What's the schedule? You'll need to know when to | | | | the best foundation for living the fullest life, and living |
| drop off and pick up your child, as well as how the | | | | up to his or her potential? |
| typical school day would unfold for your child. For | | | | |