School-Related Questions

When it comes to choosing an educational institution for your child, there are numerous school-related questions that must be addressed to ensure you make the best decision.

The fundamentals.

• Do teachers have high standards for their students?
• Are students involved and active?
• Do the teachers have a rapport with their students?
• How does the “report card” of the school look? (You should be able to obtain the following information: students’ state test scores broken down by student subgroups; how many students performed at the “basic,” “proficient,” and “advanced” levels on the tests; and graduation rates.)
• Is there a strong program of core academic subjects like English, history, mathematics, science, arts, and foreign languages at the school?

• What courses are available at the school in addition to the core subjects?
• What evidence do you have that the school is successfully teaching students to read?
• Is there a special focus or theme for the curriculum at the school?
• Is the school’s curriculum challenging?
• Is there enrichment available for all students at the school? For students who are gifted or have special needs?
• Is there extracurricular activity at the school that supplements what is taught? Can all students take part?
• Is there a curriculum and the necessary support in place at your child’s school if they have special learning needs?
• What is the policy on homework? Does it correspond to your expectations for how much homework your child should complete?
• What is the size of the classes?

• What does the school do to foster character and citizenship development?
• What is the disciplinary procedure? How does the school handle misbehaving students?
• What safety precautions has the school taken? What security precautions are in place?
• What after-school or weekend extracurricular activities does the school provide?
• What extracurricular activities are available to students?
• What intramural activities do students have access to?
• What activities receive the greatest amount of attention and resources?
• Do students have access to computers and the Internet in the classroom and library?
• Is Internet usage monitored?
• Is there a cafeteria, and does the school provide a nutritious lunch program? What about the breakfast program?
• Is there supervised before- and after-school care available?
• Is there a tutoring program?

Private school questions:

• What is the cost of tuition?
• Is there a payment plan in place?
• Is there a tuition sliding scale based on parish, church affiliation, or family income?
• What other costs and fees are there (room and board, uniforms, books, transportation, lab, and computer fees, activity fees)?
• What kinds of scholarships and loans are there?
• Is it necessary for students or their parents to be of a certain faith?
• Is there a policy in place at the school regarding student participation in religious instruction and worship?
• Is the school closed on religious and national holidays?
• Is the school’s schedule the same as that of the local public school?

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