Private schools strive to produce well-rounded students who possess a love for learning and are prepared for life. Choosing a private school for your child is an important decision that requires a great deal of questioning, discerning, and decision making. In order to make a decision that meets your family’s educational goals, it is extremely important to understand the ideas outlined below.
Responsibility
Identifying the one responsible for a child's education is paramount because educational decisions will flow out of this understanding. If you believe that the government is responsible for your child’s education, you most likely will choose a public school. If you believe that the church is responsible, you will most likely choose a parochial school. However, if you believe that parents are responsible, then you must evaluate public, private, parochial and home educational options and discern which structure best fits your family’s values, goals and philosophy of education. Understanding who is responsible for your child’s education is extremely important as you start the process of making educational decisions.
Philosophy of Education
Everyone has a philosophy of education. In other words, everyone has certain beliefs they embrace concerning how knowledge is transferred to others. Understanding what you believe about education is vital in choosing a school. If you believe that education is done best using specific methods, you should find a school that embraces the same ideals. Too often we fail to understand what we believe, so when we look for a school, we lack the understanding to help us discern what is right for our child. Some questions to help you uncover your personal philosophy of education include:
· What is the goal of education?
· How do children learn?
· How is learning best assessed?
· What kind of environment is best suited for a child’s education?
· What role does the teacher, parent or student have in the process of education?
Once you answer these questions, your philosophy of education begins to emerge, allowing you to make an informed decision about a school choice.
Worldview
Understanding worldview is becoming increasingly important as our society becomes more and more multicultural. Every educational institution teaches from a particular worldview and every teacher within a particular school does the same. If you embrace the idea that you are responsible for your child’s education, understanding the worldview of various institutions is imperative for making an educational choice that is consistent with your family’s worldview. Questions that may help you understand your worldview include:
- Does God exist?
- Are there absolute truths?
- Where did we come from?
- Where are we going?
- Why am I here?
- How is authority viewed?
- How is right and wrong determined?
Children today are growing up with an exposure to a wide variety of worldviews. If you understand your personal worldview and know what you desire for your child, you are getting closer to making an educational choice that is consistant with your core beliefs.
School Quality
After you explore the philosophical foundation and worldview perspective of a school, you need to investigate the quality of the school. School quality, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. There is going to be some aspects of a school that will be negative in the minds of some but positive in the minds of others. Some questions to help uncover the school’s quality include:
- Is the school accredited? Why or why not?
- Are the teachers certified? Why or why not?
- What drives the curriculum? Textbooks, teachers, parents?
- Is the curriculum clear; are goals and objectives clearly outlined?
- Who makes educational decisions?
- What is the facility like; is there a science lab, computer lab and library?
- What kind of discipline issues exist and how are students corrected?
- What kind of extracurricular opportunities are available?
- What is the teacher to student ratio?
- How well is technology integrated in the school’s program?
- How does the school’s test scores compare with other schools?
- How well do alumni perform at the next educational level?
- How can a parent participate during the school day?
As these questions are answered, you will get a sense of how the school operates, helping your decision become clearer.
The last thing a parent needs to do is to visit the school while classes are in session. Anyone can describe their character, but the proof is in one's behavior. There is nothing like going to the school and feeling the environment. Ask permission to sit in on a class and talk to a few teachers if possible. Ask for a parent reference if you would like to talk with another parent within the school. Visit the school’s website and request information from the office. Making an educational decision is an important decision. Take your time and ask questions.
If you can identify your educational philosophy, understand worldview and ask good questions concerning school quality, you will find the school that will meet your family’s educational desires. For more information or questions concerning choosing a private school, contact Rick Martin at rickmartin@ccsconnection.org.
