It’s that time of the year when parenting anxiety is at its peak for parents whose children have hit the school-going milestone or need to switch schools for some reason. Discussions within the family and with fellow parents about finding the right school takes precedence over everything else. After all, a good school forms a strong foundation for a child’s future.
Well, fret not. Here are some key pointers to bear in mind while choosing the right school for your child.
Education Board
CBSE, ICSE, IGSCE or IB – you first need to decide which education board curriculum you would like your child to follow. Each of these education boards has its pros and cons, which you can explore in detail here to make an informed decision.
Proximity
When I was looking for a school for my kid a few years ago, I was adamant it to be within close distance from home or office for many reasons. One, I didn’t want my kid to be cranky or tired from long commuting hours. Two, I would be able to reach my kid’s school quickly in case of any emergencies. Three, it would save me the transport fee which is directly variable to the distance between the school and home.
Reputation of the School
Do your research about the reputation of the school and its top management/board of trustees especially if it’s a new school. If it’s an established school, do consider the track record of the results of board exams. Check the online reviews of the schools or talk to the parents who are already sending their kids to the school you have in mind. This will give you an insider report of the school and whether it stands true to what it claims in the promotional activities.
You also need to make sure that the school is registered with the education board it follows and can provide you with the affiliation number. You can also cross-verify the registration/affiliation details on the official website of the respective education board, if possible.
Discover the schools across Pune and read parents’ reviews here.
Curriculum and Activities
A school is a home away from home for your children. The school must focus on the overall development of its students. So, find out the type of extra-curricular activities the school offers in addition to the core academic courses.
Location and Infrastructure
Most schools today face a space crunch when it comes to good location and size of the school. While it is understandable that their campus may not be sprawling, it should at least have an ample size playground for kids to spend some time outdoors in the school hours. Request the school for a physical tour (or at least a virtual tour in the ongoing pandemic times) to get a first-hand feel of the school’s infrastructure. Ask the school about safety and hygiene measures it follows on the premise.
You also need to find out whether the school is located in a safe locality. A school which is located in a secluded area from the rest of the city, near slums or paan/liquor shops or any other dwelling which makes you feel uncomfortable should be crossed off from your school list.
Transport
Find out if the school offer transport services for pick-up and drop of students. If yes, then check whether the school has an in-house transport service or has outsourced it to the third party. Is there a dedicated transport committee to handle the grievance of parents? If the school doesn’t offer any transport service, is it possible for you to make private and safe transport arrangements for your child?
Communication
Today, a majority of schools have a strong communication system to provide regular updates and stay in touch with parents. Still, it is advisable to find out whether you can easily reach out to the school on phone, school app or any other easily accessible medium of communication.
Fee
You want to send your child to the top/best school in the city. But, can you afford the fee? Do not opt for a school which stretches your finances. Sometimes, a few schools charge exorbitantly for premium facilities that your kid may not necessarily require otherwise. Try to find a school which meets all your expectations within your budget.
Finding the right school is a daunting task, but not impossible. Hope this checklist helps you.
Very useful information, especially for parents looking for schools for the first time.