What Are You Looking For?

Accreditation and Licensing

Is the school licensed or approved by a recognized accrediting body?

Affordability

What’s the tuition? What about other costs? Are there general fees? How much are books, other activity fees, general student costs?

Before- and After-School Programs

Can younger children be dropped off before, or stay after, regular school hours?

College Acceptance Rate

How many of the school’s graduates go on to higher education? What’s the college counseling department like at the school?

Curriculum

Are there advanced placement or international baccalaureate classes? Does the school have co-curricular, athletic, art, music and drama programs? Is a specific educational method followed?

Entry Points

The most common entry points are preschool/kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades; however, they can vary. Do many children transfer in at a certain grade?

Extracurricular Activities

Is there a variety of extracurricular activities? Sports teams, a drama club, a school newspaper? How about opportunities for community service?

Financial Aid

Is financial aid offered? How many students benefit from financial aid programs? When must you apply? 

Location

How long will your morning commute be? What is the physical campus like?

Mission and Philosophy

How is the school’s mission statement incorporated? Why was the school founded and how has its mission changed over the years?

Religious Affiliation

Does the school have religious ties? Is it independently governed or overseen by a church organization?

Selectivity

How difficult is it to gain admission into the school? If you apply to selective schools, make sure to apply to several.

Size

What’s the total school size? Class size? Student-to-teacher ratio? How does the school fit with what you know about your child? 

Type

Do you want a coeducational school or an all-boys or all-girls school? Which would work best for your child?

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