 With the current school year coming to a close, next school year is probably the last thing on your mind. However, now is the perfect time to decide where to continue your child’s education. Whether you’re moving, had negative experiences at your current school, or are just looking for a change, transitioning to a new school can be tough for both you and your child. What are your child’s needs?
This question should be first and foremost in your mind. If a school can’t meet your child’s needs then it is not the right learning institution for your family. When deciding between the plethora of public, private, and charter schools available (there are over 100 schools in Volusia County) it’s important to consider what your child values and what supports need to be in place in order to ensure their success. Does your child have special needs? Medication, food allergies, cognitive or emotional issues, personality, these are all things you should take into consideration when choosing their educational environment. What are the school’s policies? It’s important to go into any decision with as much information as possible. While both curriculum and extracurriculars should be taken into consideration, the school’s policies and priorities are often much more important. Ask about discipline, grading, and homework policies as well as the educational and behavioral philosophies and priorities of the teachers and administration your child will have the most contact with. You need to know exactly what is expected of both you and your student as well as what you can expect from administration and teachers. Make sure you ask for written policy statements so that you know you’re getting accurate information rather than simply trusting word of mouth. Do actions speak louder than words? Doing your research will greatly serve you once you’ve made a decision. By doing so, you’ll feel confident that you are trusting your child’s education to the right school. Take the time to visit the schools you’re considering and try to talk to as many people as possible. Parents, students, teachers, and other employees both past and present can help form a clearer picture of the reality of the school environment. Keep in mind that what was right for one person’s child won’t necessarily be right for yours and vice versa. When you hear a negative opinion, always try to find other people to corroborate that experience. Perhaps it was simply a case of clashing personalities, or maybe it points to a deeper issue. Either way, always seek out multiple sources for school references and then apply that information to what will best meet your child’s needs. An ideal school environment will support your child’s academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth through the years. By choosing St. Barnabas Episcopal School, you’ll be investing in a solid education that focuses on the whole child, not just test scores. Contact us today to schedule a tour and to learn more. |