Parents want to send their kids to good schools. Thats why they flock to neighborhoods that purport to have them—sometimes paying thousands more to live there. But what does a good school really mean? As with all things parenting, you have to decide for yourself whats best for your family. Today, finding a good school means doing some homework, figuring out the best fit for your family, and zeroing in on schools that are equipping students with the skills and experiences that will lead to a broader definition of success.
Traditional measures of school quality, such as class size, student-to-teacher ratio, and test scores do matter—to some extent. In addition to solid academics, experts increasingly tout the importance of a holistic education, which cultivates students moral, emotional, physical, and psychological aptitudes. Schools with programs that teach empathy, self-motivation, and adaptability equip students with the life skills proven to foster success later in life.
Another option to consider is resisting the urge to follow the crowds to the best schools in town, which may have problems with overcrowding and waitlists, despite their virtues. Instead, track the progress of previously overlooked schools; ones that may have a new principal, an increasingly active PTA, or an attendance rate that has steadily risen, even if the school itself doesnt have the most stellar reputation or highest rankings.
Do the research. Theres plenty of information available at your fingertips, so get started with an online search to determine the school district, or even the specific school, you hope to send your child. Different websites offer test scores, rankings, and demographic information, including student diversity by race and gender, the percentage of students on free lunch programs, as well as the student-teacher ratio. You can use these statistics to develop an opinion of the schools and school districts youre considering. SchoolDigger.com is one site that pulls much of its information from public record, and then compiles it to provide a more comprehensive look at the schools for parents.
Depending on the site, you can narrow down your search by location, test scores, and ranking, based on a variety of criteria such as grade levels or a focus in math and science. Websites like SchoolDigger.com allow you to compare schools and read reviews and ratings from other parents as well. Here, on Homes.com we have a school section where you can search private and public schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade, including elementary schools, middle schools, junior high schools and senior high schools throughout the United States. Take other needs into account. You can also narrow your search by school type: alternative schools, early childhood, special education, vocational and technical schools. Before you get caught up in a whirlwind of test scores, focus on your own childs needs. Just because a school has slightly lower test scores than the next one doesnt mean it wont be a great fit socially.
Dont be afraid to consider alternatives. If you prefer a neighborhood that doesnt filter schools where you want to send your kids, there [...]
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