School Search 2016: What to Look for in a School

Most parents already know their child's school plans for the 2016-2017 year, but what about those of us considering transferring schools or have teens entering high school? The search is on!

There are definitely a lot of factors that come into play when trying to find the best school for our kids, and all the driving around and open houses make things a little stressful and time-consuming. Here are some things to consider when trying to find the best educational roadmap for your child.

Consider Extracurricular Activities

Some schools have great programs that go beyond just learning in the classroom, and sometimes it's about having that something extra special that kids and teens can look forward to. For example. St. Mildred's Lightbourn School has a phenomenal Global Studies program that allows students to travel during the school year for a set period of time to learn more about different cultures. The beauty of the program at St. Mildred's is that the school year is structured around having the international trips and local co-ops, students get sometimes a month or two weeks off to do something new and exciting. If your child is really into sports, consider a school that has made significant investments into sports fields or has top notch sports teams.

Learning Environment

It's really important to go and see the schools you are looking to enroll your child in, and bring your kids along with you! They are going to be the ones learning in the school environment, ask them how they liked the classrooms and the space itself. It's really important to have a great learning environment at school so make sure to take a look at what resources the teachers will be using, the books, the art supplies and the musical instruments. You want the teachers to have the resources to be able to put their best into every single day!

Talk to Some Friends

It's best, if you can, to talk to someone who has enrolled or been with the school for a while. You want to get the inside scoop of how the kids like the programs, the sports teams, the various activities that go beyond textbook learning that make the school the best or worst. It's important to ask two questions: What is the best thing about the school? What is the worst thing about the school? Get a feel for how the school is with some references, this can be the cherry on the cake to making your decision.

Happy searching!