Selecting a School for Your Child (continued)

When and how frequently are teachers available for parent conferences?

Do teachers assign homework? Is it rigorous? Frequent? Sufficient?

Are the teachers highly qualified to teach in their subject areas (do they know the subjects they are teaching)?

Do teachers have the skills and knowledge to address students with special learning needs?

Are specialized staffs available to address the special learning needs of a child (e.g., speech therapist, psychologist or aides)?

Do the teachers know the individual students in their classes?

Are teachers willing to provide extra help to students?

What is the school's policy regarding teacher response to parent inquiries?

Do teachers have Web sites with class notes and other information for students and parents?

Students

What is the attendance rate for students?

What do students say about the principal?

What do students say about the teachers?

Do the students have school spirit?

What do students say about homework?

Do students participate in and enjoy field trips?

Do students feel safe and secure at the school?

What do student publications say?

What else do students say about the school?

Parent and Community Involvement

How does the school encourage parental involvement?

What are the ways parents can get involved?

Are parents encouraged to volunteer?

Does the school have an active parent- teacher organization?

Does the school hold meetings and events at times when parents can attend?

How well attended are back-toschool nights by parents?

Are families expected to be involved with homework?

How frequently does the school communicate with parents?

Are community leaders involved with the school?

Does the school partner with local businesses and organizations?

Are parents involved in the development of school policies?

Reputation

How is the school regarded in the community?

How is the school viewed by other parents?

Is the school respected by other schools, particularly those that receive its students (when they move to the next level)?

Has the school won any awards?

Do people move to the community to go to the school?

What do the graduates of the school say?

Have graduates from the school made significant contributions to the community and their field of choice?

Step 4: Apply to the Schools You Choose

Once you select the school(s) that you think will be best for your child, you will go through a process of applying to a school (or schools) of your choice and enrolling your child. Consider applying to more than one school, in case your child is not admitted to their first choice.

You will want to begin this process as early as possible in order to ensure you meet all the deadlines.

Admissions processes can vary. Your child may need to be tested or interviewed, and you may need to provide a school transcript, recommendations, or other information. It would be helpful to learn about admissions criteria for the schools. You will want to double check to be sure you have accurate information on when and how to apply.

Select One or More Schools to Apply to

To which schools do you want to apply?

What is the application deadline at each school?

Submit paperwork and applications before the deadlines

Have you completely filled out the application for each school?

Have you included all of the required additional information with the application (deposit, student transcript, test scores, letters of recommendation)?

Have you submitted applications before the deadline set by each school?

Follow up

Have you contacted each school to check on your child's application status?

When will the schools notify you that your child has been admitted?

When will you need to notify the school that your child plans to attend?

When will you notify the schools that your child will not attend?

Congratulations

Congratulations on all the planning you have done to reach this point. Your child will benefit tremendously from your active concern and involvement with his or her education. By collecting information, talking to other parents, visiting schools, and exercising your right to choose, you can now take the lead in making sure your son or daughter gets the best possible education. However, this is only the beginning. By staying involved in your child's education, encouraging your child to work hard, and providing additional opportunities to learn at home and in the community, you can help your child go further still. Remember it is your right, as well as your responsibility, to seek the very best education for your son or daughter.