Given the access that is available to families regarding researching potential schools for children, a broad brush approach often produces anxiety and creates a paralysis around how to narrow the list of potential school. Granted, there are a multitude of quality independent, public and private K-12 schools, and the same breadth of quality exists at the post-secondary level. Yet, how do you know what to look for in a school?
- Is the school attractive to high achievers? Note—the word is ‘achievers’. The word achievers connotes there is a sense of purpose at the school. Of course, the school should have a laundry list of honors, AP and Post-AP course, but you should ask, ‘do a range of students have access to high level courses?’ Which leads to…
- Is the school accessible to a wide range of students? The key word here is accessible. Good schools understand that education is a process and not an outcome. Good schools realize that ‘getting it first’ in class is not an indicator of future success in life. Good schools realize there are different modalities of learning and children access and master content through various means. Lastly, an accessible school absolutely means that teaching and teaching excellence (meaning, using a variety of techniques and skills in order for ALL students to achieve success) is a priority.
- Does the school, through its programming and communication articulate cultural norms, values and expectations? Many time, faith-based institutions do a fantastic job of articulating at the admission end the values that are important to the school, and it becomes infinitely clear to the family what those expectations may be. Some of the school values are less evident, and it’s important for you to assess how well the school sells what it sells, and walks the walk.
- Emphasizes student growth over time. Remember: The kids that are admitted with the best test scores leave with the best test scores. There is an unhealthy fascination with the SAT and ACT numbers. Sure, it’s nice when schools have a high SAT/ACT mean: the school has become attractive to high achievers. However, great schools are gauged not only by the standardized test scores but how it supports and promotes measurable student growth over time in a variety of different ways—the arts, athletics, global appreciation and servant leadership are just a few of the ways that schools work to produce engaged and compassionate young people.
- Does the school address current educational realities? The reality of education is the reason you are visiting this site. There is a transaction that will occur at some point during your child’s educational process—admission to schools/college is the prime transaction—and great schools go to great lengths to address this reality with a keen eye on its mission and strategy.
- Does the school engage in educational dilemmas? Great schools deal with the ever-changing landscape of education by going full throttle. The dilemma around college admission and the creation of ‘well-rounded’ academic students, who also happen to be great in math and science, and accomplished musicians and championship athletes, and who are servant leaders, is quite frankly exhausting. However, the school should offer ways in which it addresses these exhausting dilemmas of education without losing sight of the experience your child should be receiving at school.