4 Tips for Choosing the Best School
Peachtree Corners Magazine researched several sites that offer advice from educators, child psychologists and pediatricians to compile a comprehensive list of tips for evaluating a middle, or really any school, to make sure it’s right for your child.
Do research beforehand
Check out test scores, student to teacher ratio, per pupil spending. That information isn’t hard to find for public schools. It’s available on the Georgia Department of Education website. And if you’re not good at digging through computer files, ask the school. That information should be readily available.
Schedule a visit
Don’t just show up. A few decades ago, that might not have been an issue, but there are a myriad of reasons why that’s not a good idea today – safety, interrupting instruction, health concerns, etc. If there are major issues at the school, they won’t be something that can be swept under a rug a week before you visit. And make sure you get time to talk to the principal. They should never be too busy to give a parent 10 or 15 minutes of their time.
Be prepared with tough questions
Write them down if you must. Ask about social/emotional development, types of discipline, opportunities for extracurricular activities, the amount of time spent on core subjects, availability of tutoring or remediation if necessary, and the number and caliber of special needs and gifted programs. Even if your child does not fall within some of those categories, it’s important to know that the school offers them.
Attend a PTA/PTSA/PTO meeting
You’ll get a good feel for how the parents, students, teachers and administrators treat each other during instruction time by observing them outside of the classroom. If kids are constantly scolded or running wild with no supervision, that could be telling. You’ll also see if the parents are willing and/or encouraged to participate in their children’s education. And while you’re there, talk to parents and students.
