What to Consider When Choosing a New School

Making the decision on where your child goes to school is very difficult and personal for each family. You need to take into account your child’s personality, strengths, needs, and interests. Each school also has different values and cultures, so you might want to think about how these fit into the values and culture of your family. Here are some considerations when you’re choosing a school for your child.

To begin, there are many kinds of schools to choose from: public, private, charter, magnet, homeschool, or online. Get informed about the kinds of schools near you and, if location is an important factor for you, narrow down your list to only nearby schools. All of these choices offer distinct learning environments, so it’s crucial to find the one that your child is most comfortable with. When finding a good fit, these are some aspects to examine: what your child wants to learn, how your child learns best, social needs, and practical matters. Discussing these criteria with your child will help you get a better idea of what school is most suitable for them.

You may also need to consider any special academic needs that your child may have. If your child has a learning disability like ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, then they may benefit from a school like Eaton Arrowsmith, where we strengthen the brain’s ability to learn. Working on cognitive exercises in a school like this can often bring your child up to a learning speed that allows them to return to normal coursework and succeed in traditional education environments.

As a parent, surely you’re juggling multiple things at a time, which makes time management difficult. Therefore, you might want to look for schools that offer after-school programs or child daycare to add a little flexibility to your schedule. This might also help your child figure out their hobbies, as you can enroll him/her in programs they are interested in. For children with learning disabilities who want to stay in a traditional school, you may also consider a 4-hour a week program at a cognitive school in order to strengthen learning ability.

Choosing a new school is mostly about balancing out your child’s interests and what learning environment and methods will benefit them the most. Paying a visit to local schools can help you during this process, as your child’s reaction to the school in person is helpful. Do your research, take time on your decision, and don’t rush anything. As long as your child is happy and learning and growing, you’re doing a great job as a parent!