4 Questions To Ask A Private School

While you are in the early stages of identifying private schools for your child, you may read many viewbooks and scan dozens of school websites, uncovering a lot of information. It can be overwhelming. What can help is to ask these four basic questions as you sort through schools and begin to determine which one is the best fit for your child. You can do this by reading school material or better yet, by visiting each campus and getting the answers in person.

1. What are they teaching?

For most parents, this is the first question on the list. It is priority #1.
So, do your research carefully. This is where you need to get granular and actually review the various components of the school's curriculum and determine if they meet all your objectives. What has been their success rate in previous years? Some parents want a progressive academic approach, others may select a more traditional program, while others prefer a mix of what they like to call experiential education. Each private school is unique. The differences can be subtle. It's up to you to figure out which school offers the most appropriate program for your child's needs.

2. How are they teaching?

Like curricula, teaching styles are all over the map. You will see everything from small groups of students sitting around one table to students sitting at desks lined up in traditional fashion. And in some schools, you won't find any desks at all. Will the lab subjects require students to be hands on? Are the students learning by doing? Are they exploring? Discovering? The humanities and languages can be taught in many different ways. Are the students engaged? Are they learning how to think critically? If materials you are reading are not clear, feel free to ask pointed questions.

3. Why are they teaching that curriculum?

Never be embarrassed about asking why the school uses a particular course of studies or approach. That goes to the heart of why you want your child to attend a private school. If you don't agree with one school's approach, you simply move on and find a school that fits the bill for your child. The manner in which the school answers your questions is also important. If they are proactively, enthusiastically trying to draw new parents in rather than using a more passive 'take it or leave it' attitude, they will be happy to answer your questions or offer an explanation. After all they are experts at what they do.

4. Does the quality of teaching meet your standard?

Check the website for information about the quality of the teaching and methodology. Is the standard of teaching consistent? Is there alignment throughout the school from grade level to grade level. Do all the teachers work from the same standards? When the school’s teachers and approach to teaching as a profession is aligned, your child reaps the benefits. Ask schools to show you what it looks like to be a graduate from their school. Ask them if they have standards in place to consistently produce the kind of student they claim to produce.