Selecting a school for your child is an important decision, whether he or she is just entering school or transferring from another one. Unless you’ve gone through this process before, you may find it helpful to have some perspective on the process.

Many of our families have found it helpful to use all of these resources:

School websites and brochures

Sometimes these are accurate and up-to-date; sometimes not. But generally they’re a good place to begin to get a sense of the schools you’re considering.

Handbooks

Most schools have a parent handbook that provides some information about curriculum, policies, activities, calendar, and the day-to-day operations.

School visits

There’s no substitute for making an appointment to visit the school, meet with the admissions officer or other appropriate person, observe some classes, and get a sense of the culture and atmosphere. If you can attend any school events, these, too, will give you a sense of students’ interests and accomplishments and faculty and staff interaction.

Talking to families and alumni

It can also be invaluable to talk with parents and students who have experienced the schools you’re considering and to get their perspective on the quality of education, the culture of the school, and their experience.

Throughout your exploration, you may find it helpful to think about what factors to consider and what questions to ask. We’re happy to share some thoughts on how to begin.