Focus

• Some families choose local primary schools, while others do not.
• You can learn how different schools fit your child’s personality, strengths, interests and needs.
• Your choice will be influenced by personal, family or cultural values, practical considerations, school-related factors, etc.

Things to consider when choosing a primary school
If you are considering going beyond your local primary school, it is a good idea to think about what is important to you and your children.

You can do this by seeing which school best suits your child’s personality, strengths, interests and needs.

You can also consider the differences in school:

• Balance your values with your own, family, or cultural needs
• Meet your family’s needs
• Compare things like size, curriculum, facilities, benefits, etc.
• Communicate and build relationships with family members.

The following questions may be helpful.

• Do you prefer public or private education? Are admissions and subject areas considered? Would you prefer your child to attend the same school as you, or have a different experience? Do you want your child to receive religious instruction? Should you send your child to boarding school, or do you want to distance or homeschool your child? Are you interested in a particular educational program – such as Steiner or Montessori? Can a preschool teacher recommend a school that suits your child’s needs?
• Practical considerations

Most families need to consider practical considerations, such as how their children will get to and from school:

• Do you live in the state and the school you are interested in? If not, does the school enroll students from out of town? What factors, such as school location, transportation options, and transportation costs, will affect you? If you have children, is it important for them to all go to the same school? Where do your child’s friends go to school? Where do most of your child’s classmates go to school? What are your options for before-school, after-school, and vacation care?
• School factors: size, classes, enrollment, grades, environment

Helps compare different schools based on size, class schedules, enrollment, extracurricular activities, values, and more:

Does the school offer a “transition to school” program? Is the school large or small? What size is best for your child? What is the class size? What is the curriculum? For example, do teachers teach in groups? What facilities does the school have to support your child’s learning and development such as a library, outdoor play areas, music programs, clubs and sports teams? Has the school’s performance improved in recent years? How is it doing in other areas such as arts, sports or community involvement? What is the school doing about student behavior? How well does the school create an inclusive, supportive and safe environment for children with disabilities, children with autism, children with other needs, children with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children and LGBTIQ+ families? What do other parents you know think about the types of schools in your area? What is their experience?

A good home-school relationship can help your child succeed in their education:

• What opportunities are available for parents and families to get involved in the school?
• How is communication between home and school managed?
• How is the school connected to the local community?