How Do I Find the Right School for My Child?
Regardless of a child’s abilities, many parents worry about their educational setting at some point. Is your child getting enough support? Is your child being challenged? Are your child’s peers a good influence? If only there was a crystal ball…
In some cases, families really know that their child’s school is not a good fit. While there are many challenges when deciding about school placement, there are things you can do to inform yourself and prepare in advance. Below are some common concerns that parents express, including considerations for how to address them:
| Concerns | Considerations |
| It’s a challenge to predict the future for your child in an unknown setting (new school). It’s hard to get the “feel” for schools from their websites. | Collect as much information as possible about potential schools AND share as much as you can about your child. Take tours, attend parent orientations, meet teachers and staff, encourage your child to participate when reasonable. Try to talk with current families in the school to hear about their impressions. If your child has had a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation, share it with the new school. What do admissions staff say about meeting your child’s needs? |
| It can be difficult to know about the quality of teacher training, instructional curriculum, and how the school will accommodate and support your child’s needs. | Some schools specialize in specific learning or behavioral needs. Know what your child needs so you can ask the right questions. If you know of an ideal school but it is not feasible for your family, it is still helpful to understand their curriculum and teacher training as a benchmark when you inquire with other schools. |
| Your child will spend a lot of time at school and will be influenced by the priorities, values, and philosophies of the school staff. | Explore the schools’ mission and vision, what they value, and how this aligns with your family’s beliefs and expectations. |
| There are only limited school options in your area. | Some private schools provide transportation well beyond their residential area. This could increase your options. |
| Private school can be very expensive. | Explore scholarships and other funding resources for tuition costs and how this is awarded. |
| Sometimes a child has variable needs. They might have exceptional academics strengths but exhibit social emotional delays. Or they might have special talents in sports or the arts, and dislike academics. | Some private schools support, or even focus on specialized interests and talents or needs. Be sure to share with the admissions staff both your child’s strengths and weaknesses. |
| Social, emotional and behavioral challenges can arise during adolescent and teen years. | Be sure to ask the school how they handle issues that could be relevant to your child, such as bullying, peer conflict, behavior problems, anxiety, drug use, and more. What is their approach to discipline? |
| Teen independence and upcoming adult transition is a primary concern. | Some schools have found creative ways to integrate with the community around them to support teens and build functional independence. Be sure to ask about post-high school preparedness. |
| Some families know their child will need to transfer to a private school in the future, but they don’t know when to make the move. | Inform yourself about what to expect. Some schools enroll new students during a short time frame, and acceptance rates or number of students admitted may change based on grade level. Once you know these factors, you can plan in advance. |
A critical part of finding the right school for your child is understanding their needs. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you know your child’s strengths that need to be challenged and nurtured?
- Do you know your child’s weaknesses that need to be supported, accommodated, or intervened upon?
- Do you know where to start and who can help?
- Do you know what challenges to watch for in the coming years?
- Do you have a “village” alongside your family that is eager to support you and your child?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then trust that you are ready for what’s ahead, and while the journey may be difficult, you have the resources needed. If you answered “no” to any of these questions above, it may be time for a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. This evaluation will explain your child’s strengths and weakness, provide recommendations for how to support your unique child’s needs, and connect you with resources.
Reach out for a free consultation to ask questions and learn more about how the Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Center might support you: [email protected]
