An investment in knowledge, pays the best interest.
Benjamin Franklin
Education, the ultimate weapon to change the world, is a stepping stone opening avenues for a better tomorrow. The journey of education begins from a school, the first institute where children learn all the primary but essential details about education and life. Every child’s second home, a school is a secure encouraging place where they spend most of their childhood. A teacher is like a second parent, mentor, and friend. They educate and guide students with their learnings and capabilities. It is absolutely necessary to choose the right school to ensure the progressive learning and growth of the child.
What to look for in a school?
As a parent, all you want is for your child to receive the best education and continuous growth. School being a foundation of learning, it is essential to choose the finest one. There are various things we see in school because we want the best for our children.
Important factors to be considered:
School Ranking/Rating
Children must receive fundamental learning from a top school. The school’s ranking determines its quality based on multiple judging criteria. These can be used as a guide/reference for making a decision. Thoroughly research the school online taking reviews from current students and their parents. The reputation and online presence of the school are important. It will be one of the essential factors to consider when choosing an appropriate school.
Facilities Provided
Verify all facilities provided by the institute in both academics and sports before admitting your child. Of importance is provision of the basic amenities like a diverse library for research, a school infirmary, counselling services, an auditorium, and more. Understand what sets the school apart, facility-wise and confirm if they maintain modern methods of studying based on conventional methods.
Teachers/Staff
Each child has different educational needs. Ensure that your child gets the required amount of attention and a developing learning experience. Check the student-teacher ratio. Ensure that the teachers/staff are polite, understanding and qualified. Rudeness or negligence should not be a part of their teaching program.
Infrastructure
It is one of the significant things we see when choosing a school. Ensure that the playground is of a considerable size, a well maintained campus, tidy inspiring classrooms and clean bathrooms. A value and activity-based child-friendly infrastructure increases the attendance and interest of a student. It reflects in children being motivated to go to school and improves their performance.
Extracurricular Activities
Amidst the confusion of what to look for in a school, a strong base for extracurricular activities must be one of the top preferences. Strong core academics, but extracurricular activities should be considered of equal importance. The extracurricular activities and activity-based clubs allow students to explore an undetected field of interest and build a varied and vast skill set. It helps to choose hobbies and career path in the future.
Fee Structure
Investment in education is never a loss. Although, it is necessary to invest in appropriate educational returns. It may not always be accurate and often a misconception that higher cost schools give a better education. Schooling has gotten expensive. Best schools may come at a higher price. Look for an institute that charges reasonable fees and provides a worthy education.
Location & Commute
Lesser travelling time results in more productive hours. Children should spend most of their time playing and learning. The location of the school is vital. It should be in a convenient radius to reduce commute time. Parents save money and children make the most of each day.
Education Board
The syllabus is different in each education board based on studies, ease and opportunities. Assess your child to understand which board suits them the best to increase their capabilities and interest. Depending on your child’s skill-set and potential to learn, you can choose a preferred board. They range from Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), International Baccalaureate Program (IB), Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC).
School Policies
Policies and procedures should be transparent to the parents and beneficial for students. Policies that are not abusive in a physical, mental or emotional manner should be formulated. A school must have a safe, healthy and stress-free environment for a child’s growth and learning process. They should stand against racism, casteism, gender inequality and judgements to promote equality and unity.
Special concerns
Check how the school deals with students with health or physical concerns as well as their responsive actions taken against bullying, hitting, and other alarming concerns that can hinder your child’s growth.
Tips to choose the right school
Understand the needs of your children and put them amidst the courses and culture that interest them and help them grow.
Look for an institute that offers a mixture of both academics and activities which will make for a perfect fit.
Make a list of all your preferred schools and shortlist them by your and your kid’s preferences.
Visit the school. Talk to people and check if the place is safe and secured for your kid.
The school must blend its conventional ways of teaching with modern techniques for students to be updated with technology.
If the school provides lunch, ensure that the food is nutritious.
Talking to students who passed out from the school will give you an idea of the student’s perception and a clear picture of how to choose a school for your child.
Exercise your responsibility and enrol your child in the best school to build a strong base for their future.
Good luck!
Also read,
10 Benefits of Joining an International School in Mumbai
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/10-benefits-of-joining-an-international-school-in-mumbai
Tips and advice for parents before getting their children enrolled in an international school.
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/tips-and-advice-for-parents-before-getting-their-children-enrolled-in-an-international-school
