YOUR CHILD
- Does the school have planned activities to assist your child in a positive start to school?
- Are new students assigned “buddies”?
- What are the class sizes (not the same as student-teacher ratio)?
- Does the school allow parents to volunteer in the classrooms or to eat lunch with their children?
- What programs are in place for drug and alcohol prevention?
- What student-support services are available for individual counseling or university acceptances?
- Do the students look actively engaged in learning?
- How often will you receive information concerning your child’s progress?
- Are the students happy at school?
- Is the approach child-centered and challenging enough to develop each child's strengths and love of learning?
- Are the course offerings extensive enough to meet your child’s needs?
- At what age are students offered modern languages?
- How many co-curricular activities (arts, sports, clubs, community service) are offered?
- What documentation does the school provide that the curriculum reflects the latest in content?
- What types of standardized tests are offered, and how do the students perform?
- In the last year, what universities accepted the school’s graduates?
- Does the school restrict students from trying advanced courses in high school?
- Is the curriculum broadened with “best practices” around the world, so students can be well prepared for their next school?
- Are all the teachers certified, including ESL teachers?
- What are the expectations for staff about students of high ability, special needs, ESL, other areas?
- How long on average does the school retain its teachers?
- What percentage of teachers has earned advanced degrees?
- What percentage of instructional assistants holds university degrees?
- Does the school support professional development, so teachers learn and apply “best practices"?
- Is time dedicated for teachers to meet as teams to jointly plan curriculum and assess each child’s needs?
- Does the staff seem happy?
- What security precautions is the school taking?
- What is the quality of air, water, and noise around the school?
- Is the community surrounding the school residential or commercial or inner-city?
- What international or national sports and arts leagues is the school a member?
- What types of field trips are available for students?
- Does the school offer after-school/weekend activities for the community?
- Does the school offer adult-education classes for parents?
- How long does it take for your child to get to school?
- Are all facilities state-of-the-art and well maintained?
- How are the computer resources and wireless technology in use in the classroom?
- Does the school provide different facilities, such as libraries (books), cafeterias, and sport areas for different grade levels?
- What facilities are open to family members?
- Is the school a for-profit school?
- How many years has the school existed?
- Is the school board run by parents who are elected?
- What is the reputation of the accrediting institution(s)?
- What is the duration for the current school accreditation?
- Is the campus a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment?
- What is provided for new students and their parents?
- What is the "feeling” or “tone" of the staff? Are they friendly and professional?
- Was the annual report with budgets available for you to inspect?
- Were all questions answered in a straight-forward manner with documentation readily offered for claims?
