| If you are like me you probably lost sleep over | | | | Before deciding on a school you should do the |
| what school to enroll your child in. This is especially | | | | following: |
| the case with people who move to new school | | | | - Call the school and ask for a brochure or packet |
| districts or moving people moving their | | | | on the school |
| pre-schooler to kindergarten. | | | | - Tour the school(s) you are considering |
| Choosing the right school is one of the most | | | | - Meet the teacher(s) that will be teaching your |
| critical decisions in your child's development. As | | | | child |
| hard as it is to admit, your child will spend more | | | | - If possible, view a class while in session |
| time at school with teachers and classmates then | | | | - Ask questions, any and all questions you may |
| at home. | | | | have |
| After making my way through the school search | | | | - Find out about class size |
| I would like to share my hard-earned tips to | | | | - Know about the school schedule. Does it work |
| making your search easier. | | | | with your life schedule? |
| First you will need to decide Public or Private | | | | Once you have narrowed the search down to |
| School | | | | one or two schools have your spouse (if |
| Some districts have highly rated public schools and | | | | applicable) and child tour the school(s). Often you |
| others do not. Private schooling does not | | | | can schedule a tour with the school or attend an |
| necessarily mean religious based school. There are | | | | open house or parent meeting night. |
| of course plenty of religious based schools but | | | | Talk to your child and spouse about the school: |
| there are also non-sequitarian private schools to | | | | 1 - Do you like the school? Do you feel |
| choose from. | | | | comfortable there? |
| There are many things to consider when deciding | | | | 2 - Does your child like the school and feel |
| "public or private": | | | | comfortable there? |
| 1 - Consider both Public and Private School | | | | 3 - Was the curriculum up to your standards? |
| Options | | | | 4 - What was the education level of the students |
| Public School Option | | | | in the class? |
| The state education system is always under fire. | | | | 5 - Was it clean? |
| That doesn't mean all public schools are bad. Do | | | | 3 - ENROLL |
| some simple research and see what you think | | | | Once you have made your decision enroll your |
| about the school(s) in your area. | | | | child. This is particularly important with private |
| - What is the local public school like? | | | | school. Space is limited and will fill up. Kindergarten |
| Tour the public school during school hours. This | | | | classes are notorious for this. You can enroll your |
| can be arranged with the admissions office. Look | | | | child as early as a year ahead of time to ensure |
| at the children who attend. Are these the friends | | | | they get in to the school of our choice. |
| you would like for your child? Peek in the class | | | | 4 - Waiting Lists for Private Schools |
| room(s), if allowed. Does it seem organized? Meet | | | | Waiting lists exist at private schools that are full, |
| the teacher who would be teaching your child. | | | | meaning the class you are trying to enroll your |
| Ask about schedule for school and class room | | | | child in has reach maximum enrollment. You can |
| size. | | | | put your child's name on a waiting list. They will call |
| You can find out the statistics for your local public | | | | you if a space becomes available. Make sure to |
| school at This site will give you information on the | | | | ask what number you are on the waiting list. You |
| school's performance for statewide testing, | | | | may have a chance is you are #1-5, but even |
| student to teacher ratio compared to state | | | | then it is only a chance. Do not rely on this waiting |
| average, ethnicity of students attending, etc. It will | | | | list. Find an alternative school and if they call in the |
| give you great information on the school. | | | | meantime, GREAT! |
| Private School Option | | | | 5 - Talk with Your Child |
| Your can find out what private schools are in | | | | Once school has started talk to your child. Ask |
| your area by visiting This site will give you detailed | | | | him how school is going? Do you like the |
| information on number of students who attend, | | | | teachers? Have you made friends? Your child's |
| class size, student to teach ratio, etc. | | | | responses will give you an indication of how the |
| When choosing a private school a couple things to | | | | school is working out. Also, watch your child's |
| consider are: | | | | behavior. Sometimes a child's behavior changes |
| - Does the schools religious or ethics and moral | | | | mildly after being introduced into a new group of |
| instruction fall in line with how you want your child | | | | children and environment. This is nothing that a |
| to be raised. | | | | good home life and parenting can't handle quickly |
| - Is it within reasonable commuting distance from | | | | though. The only cause for concern is drastic |
| your home | | | | negative behavior changes. If this is the case you |
| - Can you afford it? | | | | may want to talk to your child more seriously |
| Although this is definitely not the most important | | | | about what has been going on at school and have |
| point, it must be evaluated. Private schooling is not | | | | a consultation with the teacher. Normally children |
| cheap. Prices normally range from $3500-$8000 | | | | are good with change and adapt easily. |
| per child per year. Most schools offer payment | | | | I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist. I |
| options generally structured to include an | | | | am a child care giver, a child counselor, a mentor, |
| enrollment fee and then 6-12 month payment | | | | child advisor and an expert on my child, which is |
| plans. Some private schools offer scholarships | | | | simply means I am a MOM! I hope this information |
| based on the child's academic performance and/or | | | | will help you find the right school for your child. I |
| the parent's income. If you decide to enroll your | | | | didn't know where to start and since I write |
| child in a private school long term affordability is | | | | articles for work I thought it would be great to |
| important. You do not want to have your child | | | | share what I have learned through this process in |
| transferred due to lack of tuition payment. | | | | the hopes of helping the fellow parents in their |
| 2 - Do Your Homework on the School(s) | | | | quest for the right school for their child. |