Four steps for selecting a school that is right for your child

Parents play an important role in their children's educational success. Education starts at home and continues at the school you select. There are more options than ever before, and making a good choice on where to send your student to school can give them the experiences, tools, attention and environment they need and deserve.

Step1: Consider your child and your family

Start your search for the best school by thinking about what you want a school to do for your child. Perhaps your child has special language or education needs. Does your child need more challenging work or extra help? How far are you willing to travel, or bus, to school? What additional services will be beneficial: before/after school care, breakfast/lunch/supper programs, activities & athletics, mentoring, tutoring? Keep these in mind. After all, you know your son or daughter better than anyone else does.

Step 2: Gather Information About Schools

If you were looking to buy a car, vacuum cleaner, or refrigerator, you could talk to friends and family and find information on the Internet, in consumer magazines, or in other published resources. Similarly, when investigating schools, you may also have to make phone calls, collect written material from different schools and look for reports in your local paper to get the information you need. You can check public school report cards and go to parent fairs and school open houses. You can find reliable school information online on sites such as www.greatschools.org and www.schoolmatters.com on the schools Web sites. The hard work will be worth it if you find a school that brings out the best in your child.

Along with the schools’ safety, curricula and philosophy, you will want to know about school policies and services. Parents may also wish to consider the after-school programs a school offers, for example, sports, clubs, tutoring, or academic enrichment. Some schools have after-school activities funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. These centers provide educational activities outside of the regular school hours—before and after school or during summer vacation— that complement what is taught in school.

Step 3: Visit and Observe Schools

Contact the schools you are interested in and make an appointment for a visit. If possible, tour the schools during regular school hours and visit a few classes. Avoid visiting schools during the first or last week of a term in order to get a realistic sense of how the school operates.

A good way to have your questions answered is to schedule an appointment with the school leader or principal. If possible, attend an open house, parent-teacher meeting, or other school function that would also provide valuable information about the attitudes of staff, students, and parents.

Listen closely to what teachers say about the school. The teachers will be the adults closest to your child, and you will want to know if they are well prepared, dedicated, and happy in their work.

Step 4: Apply to the School(s) 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.

If you need additional help in locating the right school for your child, please call 1-800-656-6763 or contact us.

A Leona Group charter school enrollment specialist will be able to assist you in finding a Leona Group charter school near you that fits your individual needs.

Tips above were adapted from documents provided by the FCIC.