How do you get past superficial differences and find out which private school will give your child the best foundation for a happy, full life? Most parents--including us--really don't know what questions to ask the private schools to decide which is best for them. When we chose a private school in Boulder, Colorado, we were lucky. Even though we didn't know about many important differences between private schools, we have been very satisfied with our choice. From our experience and from conversations with other parents and teachers, we've gained a better understanding of how private schools are different, and how parents can find out those differences before making their choice.
1. Does your school teach academics to the exclusion of important areas like the arts, physical development and foreign language classes? Most parents agree that academic achievement is crucial for success in today's world. However, for many parents, a complete education includes art, drama, music, physical activity, and language learning. Does a school have to limit their subjects to the "Three R's" to support academic success? Fortunately, you don't have to settle for a restricted academics-only curriculum to produce high college entrance exam scores. Actually, some well-rounded approaches can point to evidence of yielding superior results measured by future academic achievement.
2. Does your school have a track record of successful graduates? How well do they perform after they graduate? Ideally, a school will be imparting to students the skills they need to have a meaningful, successful lifetime. This can include a life-long love of learning, as well as achievement in higher education.
3. In retrospect, how do this school's graduates rate the school? Years later, after students have had some time to experience the effects of their education, do they appreciate it and would they recommend it to others? How many would send their own children to the school they attended?
4. What is this school's approach to discipline? What is their student conduct policy? You may want to know what kind of behavior and attitudes the school encourages, and what is off-limits. In addition, it can be important whether behavioral issues are dealt with in judgmental ways, or ways that are more supportive. Every normal child misbehaves at times, so the school's disciplinary approach is likely to be relevant for you and your child.
5. Does your school focus on testing, or on other methods of assessing children's learning? Although mainstream schools rely on testing, there are some disadvantages to over-testing, for younger children especially. When I was in school, most kids I knew had a certain amount of "test anxiety," which seemed to reduce their confidence in learning. I've observed kids who have concluded they aren't smart because they received some bad grades. Whatever your thoughts are about testing, you may want to ask the private schools about this subject.
6. Does this school's curriculum and approach fit with a child's developmental stages? Because of the importance of learning to read, many educators are pushing the envelope with introducing reading skills at younger and younger ages, with the assumption that younger is always better. But what if that assumption is false? A young child does not have the same mind that an older child or an adult has. A great deal is known today about the developmental stages children go through. To us, it is important for a school's philosophy to take these developmental stages into account, rather than simply pushing academics earlier and earlier.
7. What is this school's approach to spirituality? You may prefer a school with or without a spiritual orientation. In any event, you probably want to understand how teachers will address spiritual subjects.
8. What expectations do your teachers have of parents? The other children in your child's class will strongly influence his or her school experience. For this reason, it can really make a difference if parents are "on the same page" in some ways. As an example, if other parents let their kids use foul language and poor manners, you can expect your child to pick that up at school. If other parents let their kids live on sugar and potato chips, this is likely to have an adverse effect on the children's behavior in the classroom. Do you think your child would learn the best if your school gives parents some guidance in how to foster useful behavior and attitudes in their children?
For example, the detrimental effects of TV watching on learning is now well-documented. Even just an hour of TV or more per day is associated with a poor attitude toward school and underachievement, according to a study of 14 year olds. The more TV children watch, the worse it gets. Children watching three hours or more have a higher rate of attention and learning difficulties. The trouble is, this effects not only the child who is watching excessive TV but if it leads to behavioral issues, it also effects everyone else in the classroom. Teachers who are struggling with all sorts of behavioral issues don't have as much time and energy for teaching. For these reasons, I believe my child learns best in a class with other children who have restricted TV viewing. It's to my benefit for the school to have some guidelines for this.
9. What about social and emotional development? The happiest people can form meaningful relationships and communicate well with others. School can be a great place to learn positive social skills and also to develop emotional intelligence. You may want to know how a school supports these important life skills.
10. What types of play do young children engage in at your school? Research shows the benefits of physically active play and imaginative games for young children. Yet in many schools, the space for these important childhood activities is dwindling. Often, in their place are flash cards, computer labs and reading lessons in kindergarten and preschool.
11. How much time is spent on rote learning versus gaining cognitive abilities? Sadly, many students are taught what to think rather than how to think. Memorizing facts is important. However, creativity and reasoning skills are also important. The people at the forefront of any field are able to reason beyond what they are taught.
12. What else do I need to know that makes your school unique? A school may have some unique approach that would never occur to you to ask about it. So it's good to ask an open-ended question, to give the school administrator an opportunity to highlight their areas of uniqueness.
I hope you find some or all of these questions useful to add to your list as you interview private schools in your area. I wish you the best as you make this important decision! - 30531
1. Does your school teach academics to the exclusion of important areas like the arts, physical development and foreign language classes? Most parents agree that academic achievement is crucial for success in today's world. However, for many parents, a complete education includes art, drama, music, physical activity, and language learning. Does a school have to limit their subjects to the "Three R's" to support academic success? Fortunately, you don't have to settle for a restricted academics-only curriculum to produce high college entrance exam scores. Actually, some well-rounded approaches can point to evidence of yielding superior results measured by future academic achievement.
2. Does your school have a track record of successful graduates? How well do they perform after they graduate? Ideally, a school will be imparting to students the skills they need to have a meaningful, successful lifetime. This can include a life-long love of learning, as well as achievement in higher education.
3. In retrospect, how do this school's graduates rate the school? Years later, after students have had some time to experience the effects of their education, do they appreciate it and would they recommend it to others? How many would send their own children to the school they attended?
4. What is this school's approach to discipline? What is their student conduct policy? You may want to know what kind of behavior and attitudes the school encourages, and what is off-limits. In addition, it can be important whether behavioral issues are dealt with in judgmental ways, or ways that are more supportive. Every normal child misbehaves at times, so the school's disciplinary approach is likely to be relevant for you and your child.
5. Does your school focus on testing, or on other methods of assessing children's learning? Although mainstream schools rely on testing, there are some disadvantages to over-testing, for younger children especially. When I was in school, most kids I knew had a certain amount of "test anxiety," which seemed to reduce their confidence in learning. I've observed kids who have concluded they aren't smart because they received some bad grades. Whatever your thoughts are about testing, you may want to ask the private schools about this subject.
6. Does this school's curriculum and approach fit with a child's developmental stages? Because of the importance of learning to read, many educators are pushing the envelope with introducing reading skills at younger and younger ages, with the assumption that younger is always better. But what if that assumption is false? A young child does not have the same mind that an older child or an adult has. A great deal is known today about the developmental stages children go through. To us, it is important for a school's philosophy to take these developmental stages into account, rather than simply pushing academics earlier and earlier.
7. What is this school's approach to spirituality? You may prefer a school with or without a spiritual orientation. In any event, you probably want to understand how teachers will address spiritual subjects.
8. What expectations do your teachers have of parents? The other children in your child's class will strongly influence his or her school experience. For this reason, it can really make a difference if parents are "on the same page" in some ways. As an example, if other parents let their kids use foul language and poor manners, you can expect your child to pick that up at school. If other parents let their kids live on sugar and potato chips, this is likely to have an adverse effect on the children's behavior in the classroom. Do you think your child would learn the best if your school gives parents some guidance in how to foster useful behavior and attitudes in their children?
For example, the detrimental effects of TV watching on learning is now well-documented. Even just an hour of TV or more per day is associated with a poor attitude toward school and underachievement, according to a study of 14 year olds. The more TV children watch, the worse it gets. Children watching three hours or more have a higher rate of attention and learning difficulties. The trouble is, this effects not only the child who is watching excessive TV but if it leads to behavioral issues, it also effects everyone else in the classroom. Teachers who are struggling with all sorts of behavioral issues don't have as much time and energy for teaching. For these reasons, I believe my child learns best in a class with other children who have restricted TV viewing. It's to my benefit for the school to have some guidelines for this.
9. What about social and emotional development? The happiest people can form meaningful relationships and communicate well with others. School can be a great place to learn positive social skills and also to develop emotional intelligence. You may want to know how a school supports these important life skills.
10. What types of play do young children engage in at your school? Research shows the benefits of physically active play and imaginative games for young children. Yet in many schools, the space for these important childhood activities is dwindling. Often, in their place are flash cards, computer labs and reading lessons in kindergarten and preschool.
11. How much time is spent on rote learning versus gaining cognitive abilities? Sadly, many students are taught what to think rather than how to think. Memorizing facts is important. However, creativity and reasoning skills are also important. The people at the forefront of any field are able to reason beyond what they are taught.
12. What else do I need to know that makes your school unique? A school may have some unique approach that would never occur to you to ask about it. So it's good to ask an open-ended question, to give the school administrator an opportunity to highlight their areas of uniqueness.
I hope you find some or all of these questions useful to add to your list as you interview private schools in your area. I wish you the best as you make this important decision! - 30531
About the Author:
Be sure your list of questions is complete! Click here for 10 more questions parents often ask private schools. Go to www.PrivateSchoolsBoulder.com to find out which private school the author chose in Boulder County, Colorado.
