5 Reasons Why You Might Change Schools

5 Reasons Why You Might Change Schools
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Here are five reasons why you might want to change schools.
The scenario is not as uncommon as you might think. After all you have spent a considerable amount of time researching
and visiting schools in a serious effort to get it right. But after a few months you realize that something isn't right. Your child is miserable. Well, that's just one of the reasons why you might want to change schools. Let's look at some other reasons.

1. Your child has been expelled.
Ouch! This reason for changing schools is rather like being fired. It's enormously dispiriting and in many ways a life-changing experience just like losing your job is. Continuing that analogy, finding a new school for a child who has been expelled is just as difficult as finding a new job. Expect to have lots of questions asked. Have your answers well thought out. Do not equivocate. Answer the questions truthfully. The school will want to know if your child has learned his lesson. Do not speak ill of his previous school. Nobody wants to admit a trouble maker. Contrition is your watchword.

2. Your child has not been asked back.
While not as serious as being expelled, not being asked back indicates that something went wrong. Unless you plan to move out of the country, be prepared to answer some in-depth questions about why your child's previous school was not a good fit. If there were issues which the previous school felt needed to be addressed, then be sure to have your corrective action plan in full swing. They will ask about it.

3. Your child is unhappy.
An unhappy child is simply not something any parent wants. You need to deal with whatever is creating the unhappiness. If your child is unhappy at school because there is turmoil at home, then you need to get her professional help to deal with those issues. Parents get divorced and financial circumstances change all the time. A skilled professional can help her work through her issues and emerge on the other side a much happier person.

On the other hand, if the problem is a teacher or something else school-related, do your due diligence carefully and determine if the issues can be resolved and peace restored. If not, then a change of school is most definitely recommended.

4. You are not satisifed with the school.
This is not all that common but can happen. Expectations are not being met in one way or another. Perhaps you thought the program was something other than what it actually is. Or you discovered that the school doesn't offer the enrichment activities you feel your child needs.

In this case, before you go through all the bother of finding a new school, sit down with the school authorities and see what can be done to resolve the situation. If they like your child and she has done well as far as they are concerned, they most likely won't want to lose her. Don't be threatening or difficult. Lay out the issues and concerns as you see them and listen carefully to their response. If you don't like what you hear, then fold your tent and find a new school.

5. Your financial circumstances have changed.
This is much more common since the financial meltdown of 2008 and the resulting economic chaos which has ensued. You may have thought you were all set financially when suddenly "Wham!" your picture has changed dramatically. Here's what to do: swallow your pride and discuss your circumstances fully and frankly with the school authorities. If they hold your
child in high esteem and she is doing well, they might be able to help. It never hurts to ask. Failing success, then begin to explore your options in the private school world. Remember: there are several schools which are tuition free or very nearly so.

Changing schools is a serious business.Normally you'd want to make changes at the common entry points such as grade 6/7 for middle school and 9/10 for high school. But if you have no other choice and changing schools is your only option, it is doable.

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