Checklist For Comparing Schools

Use this checklist to keep track of your questions and answers to those questions as you visit each school on your short list. There is a lot of information to assimilate as you make those important visits. It will be easy to forget details unless you note them promptly.

      

School Demographics School #1 School #2 School #3
Day or boarding      
Coed or single sex      
Number of students      
Number of boarders      
Number of day students      
How diverse is the student body?      
Number of faculty      
Student to faculty ratio      
       
Administration and Faculty      
How long has the headmaster/principal been in office?      
How large is the endowment?      
Financial condition of school (Excellent to marginal)      
Number of faculty with advanced degrees      
Staff turnover (If turnover, why?)      
       
Curriculum and Instruction      
IB offered?      
Number of AP courses      
Teaching methods (Harkness, classical, etc.)      
Is technology integrated into teaching?      
       
Religious Emphasis      
Which denomination or faith?      
Intensity of observances (relaxed to mandatory)      
       
Campus and Facilities      
General appearance      
Athletics facilities      
Sports programs      
Arts facilities      
Arts programs      
Security and safety      
       
Location      
Urban? Rural?      
Convenient? Isolated?      
       
Admissions      
Deadline      
Is staff helpful?      
Policies and procedures      
Shadowing permitted?      
Overnights?      
Quality of visit and tour      
       
Financial      
Tuition Fees      
Sundries      
Financial aid offered      
       
Notes
 


  Read Related Choosing a School Articles:

Step by step guides and tips on finding the right school.
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 If You Had To Choose
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 Ranking Schools
How do I know how this school compares with the others I am considering? Has anybody ranked private schools?
 Single Sex or Coeducation?
Sooner or later you ought to consider a single sex school as opposed to a traditional coeducational school. Why? For several reasons.
 Small Is Good
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 The Value of a Private School Education
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 Which School IsThe Best For Your Child?
It depends on your requirements. But in the end only one thing matters most anyway.
 Why Private School?
Is private school right for your child? Learn about the things you should consider and the unique benefits of a private school education.
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