Giving your children the best education possible is the best thing you can do as a parent. Equipping them with the proper knowledge and ability to make the right decisions later in life, when going to college, choosing the right career path, and general life decisions. Choosing the best institution for your child is not a one-size-fits-all exercise; children differ variously, so do learning environments for children. With many options to choose from, only you can know what’s best for your child. That said, here are five essential factors to consider when selecting the right school for your child.
School Cost
Although you may know there’s a significant price difference between public and private schools, there are additional costs you need to keep in mind when choosing a school. Additional charges you need to consider should include transportation costs to and from the school, extracurriculars, and whether they are inclusive of school fees or not. Other small activities add up to make the entire sum of your kid’s schooling. Sitting down and doing a hypothetical budget for different schools will help you realize which ones you can afford, eliminating those you can not afford, narrowing the choice pool for an easier choice.
Focus and Culture
While education is the primary reason for going to school, different schools focus and pride themselves in various activities. Many schools solely focus on academics, pass rates, and getting scholars into college well. However, other schools may take pride in achieving high sports accolades and cultural activities relating to arts. When choosing the right educational facility for your child, you need to consider the school’s focus between academics, sports, and arts. With numerous benefits to all activities, choose a school that best suits your child’s strong suits, or a reasonably all-round school like The Country School, focusing on a bit of everything.
School Location
The school’s location is another essential factor to consider, and depending on the quality of the education, you need to decide if driving a long distance is worth it. Apart from what it costs you as a parent, long commutes take up much-needed time for your child’s homework and the energy they need to focus on it when they get home. However, if you can afford boarding to mitigate the commuting, that may be an excellent option for both of you. On the contrary, if you cannot afford to put your child in boarding school, you may need to look for a school nearby.
Opportunities Offered
As an involved parent, you would do anything in your capacity to help your child get into college, and many children have their college preferences in mind. To best meet college requirements, consider taking your child to a school that offers various opportunities to meet and exceed college requirements when applying. Several schools have immersive cultural experiences, international tours, inspirational talks, and workshops on offer for their scholars.
Extra Activities
When children solely focus on academic activities, that leads to burnout and mental fatigue. Your child may not be into a sport or cultural activities yet, but doing activities that involve sports, cultural, or social engagement expands their skills and social interaction. When deciding on these extra activities, it helps to involve you and find out their interests and desires.