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Finding the Best School for Your Child

Everybody's got an opinion about where you should send Wadsworth to school. Dominic down at the deli is convinced the local elementary school is the best place for him. But your mother still believes it was the worst thing she ever did to you.

To find a new school for your child, remember one cardinal rule. It has to be the best fit for him, not Dominic, his grandmother, or his uncle Freddie. "For a school to have the best success with a child, it must be flexible enough to meet the child at his or her own developmental level," says educational diagnostician and school placement counselor Patricia Lemer of Developmental Delay Resources in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Find schools that are consistent with your child's learning style and acceptable to your educational philosophy," she says.

For Kids of All Ages
Whether or not you choose to involve Wadsworth directly in the school-selection process, at the very least talk to him about the biggest fear most kids have about going to a new school: making friends. Though worrisome to preschoolers and elementary-aged kids, it can cause panic in middle and high schoolers. Don't let it fester. Only after he feels confident that he has some strategies for making new friends can he consider other important aspects of his new school.

Prior to attending a new school, try some of the following ideas to help preschoolers through high schoolers initiate and sustain friendships.

Preschool To Grade Five
Even preschoolers have made a friend or two, so start by discussing together the birth and development of some of Wadsworth's current friendships. How did he meet Harry? Talk about the happy accident, shared interests, or love of dogs that brought them together. Then talk about what made the friendship grow. Do this for each important friendship, then help him determine how he might transfer those friend-making tools to his new schoolmates. Talk also about the symbols that might signal a new friend. Does that boy next to him have on a sweatshirt with Wadsworth's favorite baseball team on it? When it comes to an important social skill like making friends, reviewing, strategizing, and planning give your kids the best chance of success.

Middle and High School
In middle and high school, friendships are always paramount, often tenuous, and periodically hurtful. Focus first then on how Wadsworth dealt successfully with past social skirmishes. Reidentify the past problem, clarify the circumstances surrounding it, and then discuss which solution attempts worked best. Did some well-timed, well-aimed retorts cure a bully? Did the timely intervention of a friendly adult ease the situation? Then review Wadsworth's role in resolving the problem. Did his negotiating skills win him a new friend? Enumerating Wadsworth's past social skills and successes will give him the confidence he needs to make friends in the future.

Involving Kids in the School Selection Process
Then, use your own judgment about how much to involve your son, Wadsworth, in the school-selection process. Remember, however, that the more he's involved, the greater his stake in the final decision. And the older the student, the greater his involvement should be.

Selecting schools to visit is the next critical step in the process of finding a new school. Limit the number of visits and entrance tests for kids of all ages to four, advises Patricia Lemer. "You don't want kids to get overloaded and exhausted by visits and tests," she says. "You can visit more yourself and narrow it down for Wadsworth to go to three to five. If he has to go to more than that, you haven't done your homework. You want one sure thing, two probablies, and one long shot," she says. Lemer cautions against picking a school by reputation alone.

Request information about schools by mail or learn about them by searching public or private school websites. Many schools offer brochures, videos, open house events, student visiting days, or family referral networks. Try to visit your selected schools while they are in session. But first, do your homework.

Previsit Homework
The following questions cover a broad range of critical elements to consider when developing your concept of the perfect school for Wadsworth. Review them and make notes and take them along on your visits to help you focus on your goals while you are immersed in the sensory soup of a school.

1. Will your child be safe?
2. What are your educational priorities?
3. What is the school's population?
4. What is the ratio of teachers to students?
5. How accessible are teachers and administrators to students and parents?
6. What makes this school unique?
7. Which state or private organization accredits or oversees the instruction and curriculum in this school?
8. What provisions are made for gifted or special-needs students?
9. What are the fees for tuition, books, supplies, labs, or school activities?
10. How heavily does the school rely on parent funding for academics, supplies, and extracurricular programs?
11. Is the school close to home, or will commuting be a daily grind?
12. Does the school provide transportation or coordinate carpools?
13. What will transportation cost?
14. Is there before- and after-school care?
15. Can you afford this school?

Keep the answers to those questions in mind as you go off to visit your selection of schools. Then use the questions below to guide your observations as you visit each one. Copy these lists and take them along.

Appearance of the School

1. What methods, like visitor passes or school security guards, are in place to make kids feel physically secure?
2. Are the classrooms, hallways, common areas, and bathrooms clean?
3. Is the general noise level constructive or disruptive?

The Classrooms

1. Is class size manageable?
2. Are students participating?
3. Are brains in motion creatively, or do students seem constrained?
4. Can teachers gently and easily regain whole class focus?
5. Do teachers accommodate a variety of learning styles?
6. Do teachers accommodate students with special needs?
7. Do younger students get adequate play and wiggle time during the day?
8. Do older ones get adequate time to move between classes?

Note that many private schools assign students to host visiting students and families. When arranging visits to public schools, make a special request to be introduced to students. Parent introductions can be facilitated by Parent-Teacher Organizations. As you and Wadsworth observe a school or classroom in action, keep the following ideas in mind.

Interpersonal Relationships

1. Are students in the school happy?
2. Do they love going to this school?
3. Do they make and keep friends there?
4. Do kids respect and enjoy their teachers?
5. Do teachers look happy, engaged, and enthusiastic?
6. Do they treat kids with dignity, respect, and caring?
7. Are kids held accountable for their actions?
8. Are teachers and administrators visible to and supportive of students?

Parent-Teacher Organizations

1. Are parents encouraged to participate in a variety of ways?
2. What parent organizations, such as a PTA, exist?
3. How active are they?
4. What is the relationship between the PTA and the school?
5. What recurrent issues does the PTA focus on?
6. Does the PTA consistently provide parents with ways to get involved in school activities?

Many public schools provide testing results and curriculum on state or school district websites. All public schools are ranked by the US Department of Education. Many private schools are accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and undergo a regular and rigorous evaluation process. All schools should willingly provide rank and testing information if available. If they don't, find another school.

Testing and Programs

1. How does the school rank according to federal or state indexes?
2. Is it accredited by reliable independent evaluators like NAIS?
3. What are current test results for the school population?
4. Has the school received awards or recognition for excellence?
5. Are there exams for admission or for special programs like magnet schools?
6. What are graduation requirements?
7. Are there advanced placement or International Baccalaureate programs?
8. What programs and activities recognize individual achievement?
9. Which ones promote individual creativity or effort?
10. Are there programs for students with special needs?
11. Will these programs enhance or disrupt their school day?
12. What is the ratio of computers to students?
13. Is the school's media center/library comprehensive, accessible, and obviously well used? Is staff accessible and helpful?
14. Are art, music programs, and physical education activities a part of the weekly schedule?
15. Are there any performing arts or vocational programs?
16. Are bilingual programs available?
17. At what grade levels are foreign language courses and cross-cultural programs provided?
18. What is the homework policy?
19. Is there a homework hotline?
20. What kind of community service projects is the school involved in?

Evaluation Processes

1. How does the school report student progress? Grades? Do teachers provide anecdotal reports?
2. Are teacher conferences scheduled regularly and available on request?
3. What is the school's "early warning system" for academic problems? Do teachers issue a pink slip or a "letter of concern?"
4. Are tutoring staff or resources available through the school?
5. Is there any cost to you for this?

Pay close attention to fees and expenses at both public and private schools while visiting, to avoid unexpected and unbudgeted expense later on.

Fees and Expenses

1. What will school cost for an entire year?
2. Are there extra fees for books, labs, and gym classes? (Ask even in public schools.)
3. Are extracurricular activities and sports teams available?
4. Are there any related costs to you?
5. Who provides transportation to and from games and other events?
6. Are there any costs for this to you?

Knowing what school normally "feeds" into another is important to insure that the level of Wadsworth's education will be consistent and lay the track you want for him toward college or a future vocation. The broader the picture you have of the community feeding into the school, the better you can determine if this school will support your educational goals and ideals. Ask these questions of a principal, admissions officer, or guidance counselor when you visit a school.

The Feeder System

1. What schools do students typically attend before and after this one?
2. What other schools feed into this one?
3. What percentage of students graduate?
4. What is the school's reputation among colleges?
5. What percentage of students attend colleges?
6. Which colleges?

Visiting Public Schools
Kids who are resilient, comfortable in social situations, and at least somewhat confident about their academic skills often thrive in public schools. The large class size and school population combined with the intense pace could be a nightmare, however, if Wadsworth is fearful and insecure.

Public schools don't have scheduled visiting periods or days as do private schools. Most accommodate prospective families throughout the school year. Students are often invited to sit in if classes are in session, and meetings can be arranged with teachers and school administrators. Call the school principal's office to set an appointment.

Explore special education programs if Wadsworth has physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, or learning disabilities. A federal law, known as the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1975, requires that public schools provide this service free for families who qualify. To determine if you can receive services, apply to your school first. In what is often a long and drawn-out process, the student and parents as well as classroom teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and school psychiatrists meet together to identify and evaluate the student's needs and develop an individual educational plan (IEP). Once this process is complete, students are provided with a range of support systems, called "accommodations," like special programs, classes, or even personal instructional aides. IEP's are reviewed and revised at the school's or parent's request. Many families are now seeking the aid of a private educational diagnostician or an education advocate to support them through this complicated process. If you feel you'll need special services for Wadsworth in a public school, don't hesitate to alert the prospective school. They will provide you with contacts in the special education department who can brief you on testing and admissions requirements.

Magnets, Charters, and Vouchers
Investigate these options if your school district provides them, especially if your current public school is below standard.

Magnet schools. Seek this option if your late-elementary through high school-aged child is academically talented or demonstrates deep interest in a specific field of study like science or the arts. Magnet schools are popular and fill up quickly, and wait-lists are not uncommon. Ask your superintendent's office about qualifications and entrance requirements for the magnet program of your choice. If testing is required, note that it is usually administered the year before students are admitted to these programs, so plan ahead.

Charter schools. According to the Center for Education Reform in Washington, DC, charter schools are independent public schools, designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, or educational entrepreneurs. The curriculum typically reflects the philosophies of the founding group. Charter schools are sponsored by designated local or state educational organizations. Like all public schools, they are free because they receive funding from the district and the state according to the number of students attending. For more information, go to www.edreform.com.

Vouchers systems. School "vouchers" redirect the flow of education funding from school districts directly to individual families. This allows families to select the public, private, or religious schools of their choice and have all or part of the tuition paid. Though a new and controversial school choice option, the Supreme Court ruled in June 2002 that the state of Ohio's program does not infringe on the constitutional separation of church and state. A wide variety of voucher systems can be found in states like Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Arizona, and vouchers are a hot political issue in many more. Check the availability or status of voucher programs by calling the office of your state's superintendent of education. See resources.

Visiting Private Schools
Private schools, also called independent schools, pride themselves on providing a quality education, small class sizes, and low student-teacher ratios. However, unlike public schools, which are federally mandated to accommodate kids with all types of needs, don't automatically expect that all private schools will accommodate students with special needs. Ask what, if any, supportive programs they can provide for Wadsworth. Survey 1200 schools nationwide on the website of The National Association of Independent Schools at: www.nais.org.

Start private school visits the year before you want to enroll your child. Most schools host open house events in October and November to highlight programs and provide tours for prospective families. They also typically have admissions personnel who handle the entry process.

Many private schools charge application fees, which range from $25 to $100 or more. Most require entrance testing, though some allow applicants to be tested privately using a psychoeducational battery like the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). An increasing number of private schools require that prospective students for grades 5-11 pass the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Find out more about this test at www. ssat.org. Ask about testing fees and test locations for each private school you visit.

Independent school tuitions can range from as low as $120 a month for a two-day-a-week private preschool to $4,000 a month for a private, live-in, therapeutic school for middle and high school students with severe emotional, social, or psychiatric disorders or substance abuse issues. Yearly tuition in Catholic archdiocesan schools can be lower than $2500 per year. Financial aid programs are available in many private schools. Ask about them up front. If you think you might qualify, apply when you fill out your initial application. Know, however, that grants are limited and favor current students.

Vouchers, where available, in combination with established financial aid programs can make the high tuition costs of private schooling more affordable than ever for families at any income level. Check with your state's department of education to see if vouchers are available in your area. See resources.

Single-Sex Schools
An all-boys high school with a strong baseball team might be a great fit if Wadsworth is a hotshot shortstop. A single-sex school might be a viable option for adolescents who are overly distracted or intimidated by the opposite sex. This option is available in independent schools, religion-based schools, and more recently some public schools. For more information, contact the International Coalition of Boys' Schools at 1-216-831-2200 or the National Coalition of Girls' Schools at www.ncgs.org.

Homeschooling
Homeschooling is a major undertaking for any family. If you intend to help Wadsworth stay on the median academic pace with his peers nationwide, you should view it as the equivalent of committing yourself to a full-time job. However, teaching Wadsworth at home might be an option if he's recently been put on medication with powerful side effects or if his school doesn't provide programs that support your family's spiritual or moral beliefs. Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states, but many states set restrictions. Some states merely require parents to notify the local school district of their intent to homeschool their child or children. Some states reserve the right to review your proposed curriculum. Since restrictions so widely vary, contact the homeschool office or superintendent's office in your school district. For information and resources on homeschooling, go to www.eric.ed.gov/archives/homesc2.html.

Using School Placement Counselors
If the school hunting process sounds like a monster headache, contact a professional. As the popularity and wider accessibility to private schooling grows, prospective parents are increasingly turning to school placement counselors or independent school counselors (ISCs). Through family interviews and student evaluations, they help families select the schools best suited to their children's talents and needs. Some also provide school entrance testing or act as authorized testing centers for groups of private schools. ISCs are certified by the Independent Educational Consultants Association (ICEA). Those with the most experience hold the title, Certified Educational Planner.

The good thing about using an ISC is that they have personal knowledge about the schools they recommend, often spending 25 percent or more of their professional time visiting and developing relationships with schools locally and even nationwide. Many ISCs will orchestrate the application process for the targeted schools. A well-established ISC is usually known by the private schools in the area, and the recommendation of a respected ISC might well aid your efforts to win a coveted spot for Wadsworth.

The bad news, however, is that like private school education, ICS services can be costly. They receive payment from clients, not schools. Their fees can range from as low as $75 to conduct standardized testing to over $2500 for placement in a therapeutic program.

ICEA offers a referral service for thirty-eight states, but few in the Midwest. If one is not available in your area, ask your local school to recommend someone who does private psychological and educational testing. Many do school placement, too. Then, shop around. Conduct phone interviews until you click with one and suspect Wadsworth will, too. You know you've found a good one if, during that first family interview, he or she directs all or most questions to Wadsworth. It means he or she is governed by the undeniable truth that you can't find a perfect school for a child until you know the kid. Contact the Independent Educational Consultants Association at www.educationalconsulting.org.

About Switching Schools
What drives a change from one school can be as simple as a transition from elementary to middle school or as serious as a personal safety issue. Sometimes family moves have to be made in a hurry. Employees of large, multinational corporations are often transferred unexpectedly and have to relocate their families on short notice. Likewise, military families must be ready to move quickly when reassignments are made.

Sometimes the child outgrows the school. A lack of academic challenge, insufficient support for special needs, prolonged teasing or bullying situations, or detrimental friendships often make parents and kids seek a new school environment. And rightfully so.

Sometimes the school no longer fits the child, especially if its standards are low. Are there consistently low school test scores and attendance rates? Or too few supplies, unusually easy tests, and little or no homework? Is too much time spent in the classroom and around the school disciplining students instead of teaching them? Are students advanced a grade or do they pass courses despite below-level performance? If your school is showing all or most of these symptoms, it may be time for a move.

Moving Around the USA
If your family is moving to another part of the US because of a business transfer within a large corporation or business, contact the human resources department within the company. They will be able to provide you with real estate contacts who can help you coordinate your housing needs with school needs for Wadsworth. Real estate agencies often have detailed information and brochures about area schools. Hedge your bets by contacting the state's Board of Education about schools in your new location, too. During trips to look at housing, walk through the neighborhood and talk to families about local schools. Real estate agents can often provide contacts for you. If everyone in the neighborhood favors the private schools over the public schools, consider this added expense in your housing decisions. The National Center for Education Statistics of the US Department of Education provides a convenient method for researching public schools in your new area, called "Search for Public Schools" at http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/.

Moving Out of the USA
If Wadsworth needs a new school because you have been transferred out of the country, consider contacting an international relocation counselor. Most major corporations provide recommendations. Or seek out an international school in your new city. Some of these schools will even permit Wadsworth to use his own textbooks until he learns the local language. Check out School Match at www.schoolmatch.com for public or private elementary and secondary schools, international schools, American community schools, boarding schools, or US Department of Defense dependent schools.

Military Moves
Military families or civilian personnel working for the government overseas have schools provided with their transfers. Check out the Department of Defense Education Activity at www.odedodea. edu/index.htm for regulations, school information, and contact people worldwide.

Just like any important purchase you make, wise school shopping yields the best results. Make this monumental task manageable by narrowing your options to schools that provide transportation or are within an easy drive from your house. Talk to neighbors, friends, retired teachers, salespeople, and physicians about schools they like. When you call a school that sounds interesting, ask if they can recommend a family who would be willing to share their experiences with you. Then meet them for tea and chat and perhaps make a friend on the inside before you arrive.