5 Reasons You Might Be Looking At The Wrong Schools

5 Reasons You Might Be Looking At The Wrong Schools

You have begun the process of choosing a private school for your child.

• You have done a bit of reading about the reasons for sending your child to a private school.
• You have listened to the suggestions and recommendations of family and friends.
• You have explored dozens of school websites.

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None of this is particularly difficult to do. It just takes a lot of time, right? Not exactly.

Here are five reasons why you might be looking at the wrong schools.

1. They don't offer the kind of curriculum you are looking for.

• Think carefully about what is taught and how it is taught in each school.
• Does it align with your approach? Do you want your child educated this way?
• Review curricula before you create a shortlist of schools to visit.
• The school's curriculum, how it is taught, and the quality of the teaching should be at the top of your checklist.

The school's educational philosophy is an essential requirement to examine as you go about choosing the right school for your child.

Listen to the Head of the Math Department at Nichols School in Buffalo, New York, explain the school's philosophy about teaching math specifically and teaching in general.

What makes this part of the process a bit daunting is that private schools are unique.

They won't all offer the same courses. They most certainly will not approach teaching them the same way. What are your educational goals?

• Are you looking for schools that offer solid college preparation using the College Board's Advanced Placement courses or the International Baccalaureate's Diploma Program?
• You will have plenty of options for schools offering AP; fewer offer the IB programs.
• Is a progressive school better suited to your needs? There are about 70 schools to consider.

What about religious affiliation and/or religious instruction?

• When you send your child to a Jesuit school, for example, he will be expected to attend mass and take religious instruction following the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• The same applies if you send him to a Jewish school or a Christian school, and so on.

The bottom line is to filter schools carefully by examining the academics. Then filter by religious affiliation.

2. They don't offer the kind of athletic programs you seek.

What kind of athletics does your child require?

• He may be a gifted hockey player, for example.
• You will have an unhappy child on your hands if he ends up at a school with an average hockey program.
• Consult the experts.
• Make sure that schools on your shortlist have the athletic programs your child needs.

When you visit schools on your shortlist, arrange to meet the coaching staff and see the athletic facilities first-hand.

• Photos and videos will give you an idea of what the facilities are like.
• Social media and emails will yield some more insight.
• However, nothing substitutes for seeing for yourself.

Some private schools, such as Kent School in Kent, Connecticut, have superb athletic facilities combined with fine coaching and team management.

3. They don't offer the kind of extracurricular activities you seek.

One of the reasons we decide to send our children to private school is for the extracurricular activities.

• These have been reduced or eliminated from many of our public schools for financial reasons.
• It's an area where most private schools truly excel.

Review the range of extracurricular activities offered at each school on your shortlist.

• Do they mesh with your requirements?
• For example, how many musicals and plays does the school mount annually?
• Does it offer travel clubs?
• How about opportunities for public speaking and forensics?

Private schools pride themselves on educating the whole child.

• Academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities all combine to develop character, confidence, and maturity in young people.
• When you decide to send your child to private school, you can actually calibrate the ratio of academics to athletics to extracurricular activities to produce the balance that you and your child need.

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4. The location is problematic.

Where the school is located is another factor to consider.

• How does location fit into your school choice process? Let me give you an example.
• Suppose you live in an area with a private school that has all the characteristics you require except for one thing: location.
• It is a 45-minute drive to the other side of town.
• You have two solutions to the problem: consider another school or move closer.

You can also consider sending your child to boarding school.

• Don't eliminate the discussion of boarding school without exploring your options completely.
• I always liked the idea of my child being looked after 24/7.
• If you and your spouse have busy careers, put in long hours, or travel a lot, boarding school will make sense.
• Certainly, it takes care of the supervision aspect of your family life.
• Another fact to consider is that most boarding schools offer generous financial aid.

5. You didn't hire an educational consultant.

I have saved this one for last.

• My reason is a practical one. To me, hiring an educational consultant just makes good sense.
• You consult professionals when you are sick or have to buy a house, right? It is the same principle.

Educational consultants know their schools.

• They are in touch with admissions staffers.
• They know what the current admission requirements are and can guide you accordingly.

The most common mistake that parents make when choosing private schools is putting too many highly competitive schools on their shortlist.

• I remember doing this myself. I got lucky.
• One out of the three schools to which we applied accepted our daughter.
• Ideally, she should have been accepted at two out of three, possibly even three out of three schools, had we hired an educational consultant to help us.
• Incidentally, we did hire an educational consultant the next time we had to choose a private school.
• The results were much better, and the process was decidedly less nerve-wracking.

It all boils down to getting the right fit.

When you find the school that offers the best fit for your requirements, you will have a happy child. In the end, that is the point of the exercise, isn't it?

This video gives an overview of the Latin School of Chicago.

Conclusion

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. But sometimes, parents unknowingly focus on the wrong factors—whether it’s prestige, rankings, or outdated assumptions. By taking a step back and reassessing your priorities, you can ensure that your child thrives in an environment that truly meets their needs. The right school isn’t just about reputation—it’s about fit, growth, and long-term success.

Are you confident that you’re looking at the right schools? Take a fresh approach to your search and explore schools that align with your child’s unique strengths and needs. Visit Private School Review to compare options and make an informed decision today!

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