Original URL: http://school.familyeducation.com/school-selection/parenting/37648.html

Choosing a Quality Middle School: Five Questions You Should Ask

Once you have a school in mind for your kid, you need to ask some important questions. How do you cut to the chase? Well, if you start with these, you'll have all your bases covered.

• Are the principal and teachers willing to discuss the curriculum? Are they working with the new national standards?

• Is there an opportunity for eighth graders to take early algebra?

• How is progress measured? Does the school rely solely on test scores? What about other ways of evaluating kids, such as journals, portfolios of completed work and artistic or musical accomplishments? Test scores can tell only so much about children's abilities. Where else do teachers get feedback to help them evaluate individual strengths and weaknesses?

• Are computers available to all students? In what ways is technology integrated into classwork?

• Are parents involved in meaningful ways? Do they come along on field trips? Volunteer their expertise in the classroom? Are they active in fundraising?