EDUCATION

FINDING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD

One critical decision you will make as a parent is the school you send your child to. This singular decision has a multi-faceted impact on your child, ranging from the core friendships they form, to the career path they choose and much more. It is therefore common for parents to feel anxious about getting this decision right, but with prayers, extensive research and expert advice, you will be well positioned to make an informed decision that will help shape many future outcomes for your child.

Let me make one very important point clear though, there is no school that is a hundred percent perfect for your child, it is therefore practically impossible for any school to perfectly meet all your needs and preferences. The right school for your child is therefore one which come to terms with majority of your needs, especially those you consider most important and mandatory. As a parent, you carry the dominant responsibility of steering your child on the right path. Having said that, the school choice you make could either make your parenting journey harder, easier, more fun, less fun or simply average. Whether it is a nursery school decision you are trying to make, or a senior school you are trying to choose, I would advise that the following seven factors rank top on your list when considering the school that is right for your child.

1. Your child’s personality:

This is the first and most important step to finding a school that is right for your child. It is important that you factor in your child’s temperament, emotional stability, interests, hobbies, strengths and weaknesses when choosing a school for him or her. Is your child musical or mathematical? Does your child need more attention to help with learning and behavioural management? Others call this ‘special needs’, I call them ‘promising children’. If your child has a disability, delay, or what the world calls a disorder, you want to find out how well the school supports children with additional needs. In a way, the real purpose of the schooling experience should expand beyond receiving quality education, but to ensure that your child grows into better versions of themselves and if possible, the best that they can be at any given time.

2. The Academic performance of the school:

This is one that many African families in particular are particular about, but it is also one that may blind many from other important issues worth considering. By all means do find a school with a great academic reputation, but not at the expense of other factors that are pertinent to your child’s overall success. Having said that, you certainly want a school that is academically sound as this is at the core of the formal education experience. So do find out how past students of the school have fared during national exams and quiz competitions, find out about their leaver destinations – where graduating students of the school move on to, read through their rating and ranking in recent years. Also look out for growth patterns, has the school improved in its academic results over the past few years?

3. Family Considerations:

What values are important to your family? Are these same values upheld by the school or not? Would you rather have your child attend a co-ed or a same-sex school? There is no conclusive evidence to say whether a single-sex school is better than co-educational one, though there are pros and cons to each. What is more important is what is best for your child and family circumstances, amongst other factors such as the school’s quality of leadership, teaching quality and pastoral care. Can your family afford private education or would you be opting for the public provision of education? If your children are young, is private education something you would consider in the future? If yes, you may want to start financially planning towards this. You may also want to find out if there are bursary or scholarship options available for your child.

4. Proximity

Parents often select a school due to its accessibility. Some families have changed locations because of this key decision of which school they send their child to. Are you able to drive your child to school or will you need to take a bus? What is the distance you are willing to cover to take your children to school? What are the options for transport to and from school? Do these options work well for your family? Are you willing to consider boarding for your child? What is the work-life pattern in your family like? It is important that as a parent, you are not too stressed out that you cannot give the best of yourself to your children. Is it important to you that all your children go to the same school? You may also want to think about having a strong support system around you. Having family and friends nearby or a guardian that can help you with your children goes a long way.

5. The Learning Environment

EDUCATION hildren need an environment that fosters learning and creativity, and this environment is as mental as it is physical. A good mental environment is an environment which has a positive learning culture and helps influence the ability of the child to focus and learn. The physical environment is the layout, cleanliness and orderliness of the school, as well as the facilities. What facilities does the school have to support your child’s learning – playgrounds, library, musical instruments and sporting facilities. For many parents, the school grounds and overall aesthetics of the school has a strong influence on their decisions. It is also worth finding out what the class sizes are like in the school.

6. Extra-Curricular Activities

A school with an intended aim of building and nurturing students with talents must take into account an active extra curriculum of activities. If you have a child that is talented in this regard, this is an especially important point to consider. Find out about the clubs in the schools and the extra-curricular activities being offered. Do they suit your child’s interests? What are the times and costs associated with these? If the school meets your other requirements but not this one, can you find alternative provision close by?

7. School culture or philosophy

Schools have distinct cultures and teaching philosophies. For example, some have a strong sports ethic, some follow a religious affiliation, and others promote individuality, artistic pursuits, creative thinking and problem-solving. It is worth finding out about the culture and philosophy of the schools you are interested in. Are you looking for a school with a balanced sporting and academic approach? or one with strengths in artistic and musical areas, or in science and maths? An environment with a strong academic focus might be important to you, or perhaps one that teaches your child more about your religious views. Most schools talk about their philosophies and approach in their prospectus, handbook or charter. You may also be able to find this information on the school’s website.

In conclusion, the school you consider ‘right’ for your child is a function of your satisfactory level with the factors examined above. Thus, the right school for your child is relative, which is why it is not advisable for parents to make comparisons with other families, every child and every family is different and distinct from the other. It is important that you actively seek God’s direction on this matter. Play your part as much as you can and let the Holy Spirit guide you and your family.

To find answers to the questions raised in all the seven factors mentioned above, I suggest that you go online and do some research, visit the schools you are interested in, ask questions from people who have attended the school, and reach out to an educational consultant like myself to give you expert advice and insights on this important decision of finding a school that is right for your child.

Dr. Mrs Alo Ohio-Omonkhomion

Email: alo@brainsandbutter.com

Facebook & Instagram: @brainsandbutter