Evaluating a School

- Average class size
- Accountability Status (are they in good standing)
- Enrichment activities available
- Opportunities for parental involvement
- Do teachers engage in on-going professional development?
- What is the Code of Conduct?
- Disciplinary plan- do they do PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)?
- Do they follow a reading curriculum or do they use a Balance Literacy approach?
- What supports/services are available for you child should she struggle academically or socially

Check out this website:
http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/school-visit/24...

I asked a similar question last year, here is what I found most helpful

What phonics program is used to teach early reading skills?

What math program is used & what topics will be covered?

What "specials" will they have... ie. art, music, PE, computers, library, etc & how long for each?

Recess time?

Behavior policy... ie. what system is used to reinforce good behavior & address poor behavior?

How much homework, type of homework? (yes we have homework in Kindergarten)

Units covered throughout the year?

I basically wanted an overview of the year & skills I would see addressed
Please make sure EVERY teacher is CURRENTLY state certified, especially if it is a religious school where they set their own rules. (Private schools are not required to have currently state certified teachers.)

Ask what methods they use to teach reading and what programs they use?

Ask maximum teacher-student ratio and if they might add a second class.
Stress that you want your child to be in the experienced teacher's class.

If your child has any special needs, really consider a school that will have the resources to help. Private schools are not the best place for children who need specialized education unless they have the trained staff for it.

And then also make sure you have a tour and get the feel for the school. That was the final deciding factor for us. The principal met with me and showed me the school and introduced me to various teachers and showed me most of the classes in progress, not just the Kindergarten class. We also got the opportunity to speak with parents of other children who had been attending the school.

In another life, before I became a stay at home mom, I was a teacher. Let me first say that I was a secondary school teacher (grades 6-12), which is a different animal from the elementary age group, however I do think there are some things that are important to know:
1. What is the curriculum in the school?
2. What is the teacher/student ration?
3. What academic interventions are available when the student struggles?
4. Does the school prescribe to a software system that allows parents to view grades/lesson plans etc? (these are great especially if your child is absent and it gives you an idea about what goes on in the classroom)
5. Does the school have an open door policy-meaning can you visit your child's classroom without notice (some schools allow this, others see it as a distraction to the students)
6. How quickly can you expect return communication from the teachers/administration?

In addition, take a tour around the school during peak/busy hours. This will tell you exactly how things work in the school. By watching the students move to/from lunch, p.e., art etc, you will get an idea of how most of the kids there behave and how the teachers respond to this behavior. Also, as one poster stated, check the enthusiasm level of the teachers/kids/administration. Does everyone truly look happy? Last but not least, go with your gut. When you meet the teachers and tour the school you will be able to tell whether its a good fit.

The most important thing is what method do they use to teach reading. It must include phonics. Watch out for "whole language" and other methods that sometimes think children naturally pick up the phonics.

Maximum class size and how many are in this year's class. Our public school had less kids than private.

Are the teachers ALL certified?

Noticing what you see is at least as important as what questions you ask. Walk the halls, especially when the classes are out in the hallway. Are the kids quiet in the halls? Is a teacher standing out there telling them "no talking"? At lunch, can the kids talk to each other? Is there an adult watching the lunchroom?

Do the kids get to go out for break? Are they running around outside?

You don't want to send your child to a school that expects them to act like little adults. No talking in the halls and at lunch is too strict. The moment your daughter steps out of their "line", you'll be called in to the principal's office. Kids work hard in the classroom and need chances to socialize. Eating is important, but getting to talk to their friends is too.

Yet it is important that adults supervise large groups of kids - in the lunchroom, out on the playground, etc. Not to keep their thumb on them, but to keep cliques from forming to bully or marginalize children.

There's a balance. The best school achieves balance. And it's not a matter of public or private either.

Hope this is helpful,
Dawn

When we were comparing two different schools for my daughter when she started kindergarten, we did look at class size and such. We also were very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment we saw from the principal and other personnel at the school we chose. I really felt that was important. The other factors we liked were size and age of school (one was old and very crowded), financial situation of each school district (we had a pick between two districts), stability of the "politics" surrounding the school. Specialized programs (one was an Arts and Science magnet school). Both were public, so no direct expense to us.

We are very pleased with the school we picked. The other school has the number one highest test scores in the state. BUT it is old, crowded, NOT diverse, the principal was not friendly or enthusiastic, the class sizes were significantly larger. Since we chose, we've heard from others that their child has not gotten the special help that ours has.

So, my usual decision-making process worked here - gather a bunch of facts, then decide on "gut" feel... :-)

No matter which school or questions you ask and their answers... always... keep your child in mind and what would be best for him/her.

Some kids thrive in super structured high populated schools. Some don't.
Some need smaller classes/campuses.
Some kids are extroverts. Some are not.
So keep YOUR child's cues and personality, in mind.