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Questions To Ask When Selecting A Private School

By Rebecca Harper February 5, 2016

Parents have more choices than ever when deciding how to educate their children.  Perhaps you have determined that a private school is best for your child and better suits the needs and goals of your family, but where do you begin?  Most areas have several private schools to choose from and picking the right one may seem like an intimidating task.  Here is a list of questions to help you get started, but don’t hesitate to ask specific questions pertaining to your child and his or her individual needs.

  • What are your requirements for admission?  This can include questions about the cost of tuition as well as any standardized testing that the school may require.  Some schools have a more in-depth admission process than others.
  • What is your teacher to student ratio?  For many parents, smaller class size is a perk of private school attendance.
  • What are your teacher requirements?  Private schools do not have the same state requirements for teachers as public schools.  It is appropriate to ask about educational requirements, background checks, or other questions pertaining to teacher requirements. 
  • What is the academic philosophy of your school?  Private schools should have a documented statement that defines the beliefs that dictate how they choose their programs, curriculum, and their teaching practices.
  • Is there a clearly defined set of rules or regulations available for parents and students to review?  It is important that you understand all of the rules that you and your child will be expected to follow, including how discipline will be handled.  Be sure that you are comfortable with all rules and requirements beforehand to avoid any conflicts in the future.
  •  What learning experiences and extracurricular activities do you offer?  This could include questions about possible field trips, labs, music, arts, or sports programs offered.
  • Is your school accredited?  School accreditation may not be necessary, but lack of accreditation requires that parents be especially diligent as they evaluate the school and its performance.

Some additional questions to ask if attending a private high school:

  • What are the graduation requirements?
  • What colleges or universities have past graduates attended?
  • Does your school offer dual credit or Advanced Placement courses?
  • Is a counselor available to help with college and career questions or social/emotional  needs?