As a parent, you want the absolute best education for your child. The decisions you make for your child’s education can pay dividends for years to come, skyrocketing your child’s personal, spiritual, and academic growth.
Choosing a private school for your child is a great choice and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you’ve decided on private school for your child, it’s important to choose the right one to ensure you and your child get everything you’re hoping for out of the experience.
If you’re wondering how to choose a private school, you’re not alone. Countless other parents have been in your position and have found the perfect private school for their child. We’re here to help equip you for a victorious private school search marked with strategy, clarity on what you’re looking for, and confidence in your ability to find it.
How To Choose a Private School
Finding a school isn’t as simple as typing “best private schools” into Google and sending your child to whatever school tops the list. But, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Confidently embark on your private school search with these sure-fire steps.
Seek the Lord’s Guidance
Before you begin your search for the best private school for your child, start by seeking wisdom through prayer. You want the best for your child, and the Lord can help guide you through this process. Take time in prayer with your child, allowing God to reveal His perfect plan for their next chapter. He has nothing but great things in store for their future!
Create a list of your needs, wants, and non-negotiables
What’s most important to you in a private school? Whether it’s a high-powered alumni network, a strong academic reputation in the community, a faith-based curriculum, or something else, write it down. Your list may be short, with 4 to 5 items. Or, it may be longer with 10 or more items.
Be honest with yourself and get all of the desires in your head down on paper. Then, go through and mark each item as a need, want, or non-negotiable.
Your non-negotiables will be the things that are of utmost importance to you. In other words, if a school cannot fulfill that criteria, you would not even consider sending your child there. Your needs are important to you, but you may be willing to compromise on a few of them if you really had to. Your wants should be your nice-to-haves. Taking this step will help guide you on your private school search and help you objectively evaluate each option based on the same criteria.
Pick your desired learning approach
Private schools often have unique learning philosophies and focuses. Some private schools, such as King’s Schools, focus on providing an exceptional Christian education. Others may be focused on language immersion, the sciences, performing arts, or something else. Even still, other private schools may focus on having subject matter experts and teachers from backgrounds other than education teach their classes.
Because private schools vary in their focus and educational philosophies, it’s important to decide on the learning approach you desire for your child. Add this to your list as either a need or a non-negotiable.
Tour schools
Thanks to engaging websites, social media, augmented reality, and so many other technologies, it’s easy to feel like you understand a person or a place even if you’ve never engaged in person. Though many private schools will have a strong online presence, nothing beats touring schools in person.
When you go to tour schools in person, you’ll be able to see firsthand how students look, feel, and seem to interact on campus. You’ll be able to get a feel for the faculty and school leadership. This insight is invaluable and will give you the chance to get answers to any questions or concerns you have.
Engage your child
Depending on your child’s age and maturity level, you may want to consider including them in your decision. Take them on school tours with you and ask them their opinion. Though you’ll ultimately be the final decision maker, hearing your child out will help you understand their wants, concerns, and fears.
It may also reveal special interests your child has that may influence your choice. Getting your child’s input will help improve your chances of selecting a school where your child can truly flourish and thrive.
Private School Search Considerations
Choosing a private school for your child comes with some important considerations. In addition to following the steps above, you’ll want to fully understand what each private school you’re considering has to offer in the following areas.
Curriculum
Understanding a school’s curriculum is key when it comes to how to choose a private school. You’ll want to know the ins and outs of what your child will be learning in each subject and how that will grow as they advance grade levels.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to ensure the curriculum demonstrates academic rigor, is well-structured, and is well thought out. If there’s any curriculum you’d prefer your child doesn’t learn, you’ll want to understand the private school’s stance on that potential topic, too.
For example, if you’d prefer your child doesn’t learn about evolution because of your faith, you’ll want to dig into each private school’s science curriculum.
Location
Location often plays a huge role in choosing a private school. But, there are multiple angles to approach location, including whether or not the location is safe, close to your home, well-maintained, and supports a healthy learning environment, or has multiple campuses.
Extracurriculars
Extracurricular activities can enhance a child’s school years, teaching important life skills, offering a strong social support system, and introducing kids to new interests and experiences. Are there specific extracurricular activities you’d love to see your child get involved with? Perhaps sports are important to you. Or, your child has an interest in music and theater.
You’ll want to make sure that the private school you choose offers the extracurricular activities that are most important to you and your child. It can also be a good sign when a school offers activities your child may not have been exposed to. You never know what your child may take an interest in as they grow. It’s always great to have options.
Getting an Exceptional Christian Education With King’s Schools
If you’re looking for a private school that will love your children with the love of Christ and provides an education that aligns with your Christian faith and values, King’s Schools may be the perfect fit for your family. Located in Seattle, Washington, King’s Schools serves grades preschool through 12 and is a Christian college preparatory school. Learn more about King’s Schools today.