Types of Schools

Are you thinking about something other than the usual public school experience for your toddler or primary school age child? If you are, then the next question you are most likely asking is exactly what kind of alternatives are out there anyway? How expensive are they? Are there schools in my area? How will the foundation these schools provide serve my child's future learning in grade school, high school and beyond? Let's take a look at each of these questions and offer some answers.

Early Education Options

Traditional teacher-led education? A follow the child approach as championed by Maria Montessori? The Steiner approach? Reggio Emilia inspired? Those are your broad choices.

Traditional teacher-led education remains popular. Most of us are familiar with this approach to teaching primary age school children because we ourselves are products of those classes. The public school system which I attended in Westmount, Montreal back in the '50s used that traditional approach. Indeed we all had desks lined up in rows. Looking back it seems rather quaint and not a little bit militaristic. But that's the way we were taught back then. We had homework. We were given grades. We are rapped on the knuckles if we misbehaved.

In the 21st century traditional teacher-led education is the norm in many schools both public and private. There are an infinite number of variations on this approach. Some retain the regimentation and strictness which we and our parents remember. Most, however, tend to have been softened

So, you are considering sending your child to private school. As the idea gels and your selection process gets underway, think about these five factors which will make for a successful private school experience. After all, you want the best possible outcome for your child. You want her to benefit from the enriched academic experience which a private school can offer. But most of all, you want her to be happy in her new private school environment. You also want the peace of mind which comes from knowing that you have made all the right decisions.

The right school

So, with dozens of private schools to choose from, choosing the right one is probably the most crucial item on this list of factors for a successful private school education. Which is the right school? You'll know it when you visit it and speak with the admissions staff. It will be the school which best meets both your requirements as a parent, and the requirements of that precious cargo which you are about to entrust to the school. You can review the statistics and data about the school. You can determine that its philosophy and educational mission align with your goals and objectives. But the real question for which you need to find the answer is how will your child fit in. If you feel comfortable about your answer to that question, you are all set. You will have chosen the right school.

The idea behind a safe school is that you know your child will get into at least one of the schools on your shortlist. Let's start by reviewing the steps in the process.

1. Cast your net as widely as you want.

This is the fun part of the process.

Look at anything and everything. No holds barred. If a school in Dallas appeals to you, put it on the list. If one in Lakeville, Connecticut, floats your boat, add it to your list.

End up with 15-20 schools on your first list. Be sure to visit each one virtually. Most schools will have videos, so you can get an idea of what the schools are like by watching the videos. This is not a substitute for visiting a school. It's merely the first pass.

While this video discusses applying to safe colleges, the same reasoning applies to private high schools.

2. Create a shortlist of schools.

Now you have to determine which school or schools will be your safe school.

What exactly is a safe school? It's a school to which you have an excellent chance of being admitted. It's a school that perhaps is not as competitive as others on your list.
That is the challenge of the second step in this process. Determine as accurately as possible which schools are genuine reaches or where you have a tiny chance of

When you consider sending your child to a private school, you will spend much time reviewing school websites. As you do that, remember that you see what the schools want you to see. Think of the private school website as its front door and entrance hall; you will get the idea. Once you get to the next stage of the school search process, look for the five features every good private school should have. Doing your due diligence will take a lot of your time, but confirming that schools on your short list meet your needs and requirements is necessary.

Small Classes

Small classes are at the top of the list of features that every private school should have. If the private high school that you are looking at doesn't have small classes, what is the point of taking your child out of public school? Obviously, the adjective small can be interpreted in different ways. Typically, a class size of 12-15 students will allow students plenty of interaction with their teacher. That interaction is a critical part of learning and is one of the features you must look for when considering sending your child to a private high school.

This Savannah Country Day School video illustrates some of the features you should look for in a private school.

Small classes mean that your child won't just be a number. She cannot fall through the cracks.

If you are a Jewish parent thinking about private school for your son or daughter, you will probably want to consider sending your child to a Jewish school. Of course, much depends on how observant a Jew you are or consider yourself to be. That will influence your decision in many ways, some subtle, some more obvious.

Many questions will surface at this point. Here are some questions that you should answer before proceeding with a more detailed search for the right school. As you think of other questions that need answering, add them to the list.

• Why should your child attend a Jewish school?
• When should your child attend a Jewish school?
• How should your child be taught?
• What should your child be taught?
• Where should your child go to school?
• Why should your child attend a Jewish school?

This question addresses perhaps the most important aspect of this discussion. Why, indeed, do you want your child to have a Jewish education? Only you, as parents, can decide why a Jewish education has value for you. Is your family tradition driving this decision? Are your religious beliefs so important to you and your family that a Jewish education for your children is simply the only option? You need to understand that any parent who sends his child to a religious school is making a strong statement about his faith and the importance that it holds in his life. It will set your child apart from his peers in a very secular