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Finding the best school can seem like a painstakingly hard chore. This is especially true if you’re an expat. After finding one and enrolling your child there, the next comes the worrying about how the child is faring compared with others or if the child is at all comfortable and maximizing his potential in his or her new environment.
Let’s be honest, you worry about whether or not your child is getting the best education possible. Perhaps you’re thinking about alternative school options, which varies from homeschooling and online schools to charter schools and international schools. The options can sometimes be overwhelming, and parents usually need some help.
Now, how do you know if your child’s current school is meeting your child’s needs? And if it’s not, how do you start choosing the right option? Check out these tips.
Does the school meet your child’s needs?
When assessing your child’s current school, and looking at potential alternative school options, don’t simply think about this current year, but the coming years ahead as well. If your child is currently struggling, can the school give the vital support to resolve issues? Are there advanced classes offered? It’s important that the school offer academic and extracurricular programs that your child actually wants to be a part of.
Does the school change from a nurturing and caring school to a competitive, demanding school? Evaluate the temperature of all the divisions before picking a school. It’s crucial to make sure that the school your child attends is the right fit for the future since your child will grow and develop in that same school.
Does your child fit in at his or her current school or will a new school be better?
Switching to a different school is a big choice, but if your child stays and doesn’t fit in the current one, he won’t be successful.
Ask these questions: does your child enjoy going to school? Is your child involved in multiple sports and activities? Does your child have an active, healthy and engaged social life?
These questions should also be asked if you’re looking at other new schools. You will be tempted to choose the most competitive school possible, so be sure that your child is a right fit for the school and that it will be challenging enough without being too easy. Don’t push your child into a school that doesn’t encourage talents and interests. It’s also crucial to make sure that the classes meet your child’s unique needs.
Is switching schools financially feasible?
If switching schools are the obvious choice, it’s vital to take time and financial investment into consideration. Yes, homeschooling is generally very low cost, but it entails a huge time investment. Private school does need less time than homeschooling, but more money. How to decide then?
You need to know how much time you as the parent have to invest in your child’s schooling as well as if your home is an appropriate place for learning. You also need to know what costs are linked with alternative school option. You need to check the new school’s tuition fee and if switching schools will require additional transportation time.
Decide the right option for your entire family.
Sometimes your circumstances may point to the fact that a particular private school or the homeschooling path as the right fit for your child. In these cases, you need to consider different effects on the entire family and you.
Although you may have found the right school, if your finances won’t cut it, then you’ll be forced to do your child or your family a disservice if you force yourself down a path that’s not realistic.
Attend an admission event.
Attending an admission event is like an Open House, where you can listen from top administrators, like the school’s head, or other parents. The headmaster can set the tone for a school. You should try attending one or two speeches or read a publication the headmaster writes in. Researching this will familiarize you with the values and mission of the school you’re eyeing. Don’t rely on old assumptions because schools change continually with each administration.
Many schools let kids attend classes and or stay overnight if it’s a boarding school. This can be an invaluable experience that will allow your child to understand the school where he or she belongs.
Evaluate the school thoroughly.
With hundreds of international schools available worldwide, there’s a school out there that will fit your child and your family needs and preferences. It can be overwhelming to get started, so you need to evaluate the school thoroughly.
This is critical and you must do ample research before finalizing your decision. If possible, schedule a campus visit as this will give you and your child a good feel for the new environment. It will also give you peace of mind, knowing where your child will be spending his or her time.
Singapore international schools like One World International School (OWIS), for instance, provides an emphasis on balance, autonomy and international diversity, which is designed to provide students with a well-rounded learning experience that ensures their success as adults.
When evaluating a school in your visit, look at the work on the walls to get a quick idea of what the school values. You can also visit classes and try to speak with teachers and students.
Check out if the school seem to be a place in where your child can thrive. Do the teachers seem capable of bringing out her talents? Can you feel their commitment to helping children learn?
These are important considerations you need to look at as you explore the option of finding a new school in Singapore.
Don’t forget that picking a school is just the first step because you still need to get in. Submit all your application promptly and pay attention to deadlines. Try to submit your materials as soon as possible.
Lastly, many schools today like OWIS offer online portals where you can view full information about the school and stay on top of missing pieces so you can easily meet your deadlines or get answers to your questions about the school and its components.
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This is a featured post by site supporter Suhail Ajamal
Photo: Getty Images
