P&O Consultants, LLC

Choosing a School; How to Evaluate

YourHamptonRealtor.com

2009
PART 3

YourHamptonRealtor.com has gathered some information to help you

to better understand all of your options for choosing the best school
for your child in Hampton Roads Virginia. There is an exciting variety
of choices that can be a great fit for your child and family’s particular
needs. Read our publication for more information.

An Abbitt Realty Company, LLC

Affiliate
(757) 746-7715
2114 Executive Drive
Hampton, VA 23661
Contents
Choosing a School: How to Evaluate .............................................................................................. 3
Important Things to Do ............................................................................................................................. 3
Do a Little Research .................................................................................................................................. 3
Visit the School.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Key Questions to Ask: ........................................................................................................................... 3
Additional Questions to Ask if You Are Considering Public Schools ..................................................... 4
Things to Avoid ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Enrollment ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Other Related Articles:.............................................................................................................................. 5

(757) 746-7715 - 2114 Executive Drive - Hampton, VA 23661 –

www.YourHamptonRealtor.com
2
Choosing a School: How to Evaluate

This article will help you to better evaluate your options for choosing the school that best fits your
child and family’s needs. The most important thing that you can do is to be proactive: ask questions
and visit the school. There are also things that you should avoid. Here is an overview of the dos and
don’ts regarding evaluating a school.

Important Things to Do

 Now that you have set priorities regarding your child’s and your family needs, and have
narrowed the list of possible schools that might be a good fit, it is time to evaluate each of
these schools.

Do a Little Research

Almost every school has a website, either its own or a link from the local school district’s website.
Read how the school describes itself. Does it have a mission statement, does it have an educational
philosophy, are test scores available?

There are also other websites that have excellent information about individual schools throughout the
U.S.. In addition to specific test data and demographics, they might also include comments from
parents. You might also visit the state and/or city’s website and see if there is information about your
school available.

After doing this research write down any questions you may have.

Visit the School

There is no substitute for personally visiting the school. Remember to call the school and schedule the
visit in advance. Ask if a parent volunteer or the principal can give you a tour of the school.

Ask questions! If you do not have your own, here are some great questions to start with:

Key Questions to Ask:

 Does this school have a particular educational philosophy or mission?

 What is this school's approach to student discipline and safety?

 How does this school encourage and monitor students' progress toward meeting grade-level
standards?

 What kinds of library resources are available to students?

 How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?

(757) 746-7715 - 2114 Executive Drive - Hampton, VA 23661 –

www.YourHamptonRealtor.com
3
  How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A school
play? Art classes?

 What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, competitions) are

available for students?

 How do students get to school? Is free school busing available?

 How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?

 What strategies are used to teach students who are not fluent in English?

 What professional development opportunities do teachers have? In what ways do teachers

collaborate?

 What are some of the school's greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest
challenges this school faces?

 How long has the average teacher taught at this school?

 How long has the average teacher been teaching?

 Are parents involved in school activities and decision-making? If so, how?

Additional Questions to Ask if You Are Considering Public Schools

 What “extras” (art, music, science, language, phys. ed.) are included in the curriculum and
how many hours per week are they offered at each grade level?

 Does the school do additional fundraising through the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association)? If so,
how much do they raise and where does the money go?

 How active is the PTA (the more active, the better!)?

 Are there paraprofessionals (teaching assistants) in the classroom?

Things to Avoid

 Do not trust neighborhood gossip. It may be true, or have an element of truth, but many
times it becomes an excuse for those who have chosen not to attend a particular school. Visit
the school, talk to the principal and the teachers. Also, talk to individual parents of children
attending the school.

 Do not base your decision solely on test scores. In many cases, especially in public schools, a
small percentage of students can dilute test scores for an entire school. Test scores can make
the academic environment at the school appear to be average (or worse), when in fact it is
excellent.

(757) 746-7715 - 2114 Executive Drive - Hampton, VA 23661 –

www.YourHamptonRealtor.com
4
Enrollment
After you have made your choice, you must then find out the procedure to enroll. Check with the
school to find out what paperwork is required and note the deadlines. Get this information as early as
possible so you can be sure to secure a spot for your child.

Other Related Articles:

Choosing a School: Explore Your Options, Choosing a School: Establish Priorities, Preventing Bullying
at School , Dept. of Education Guide to Choosing a School, Parents Page at Dept of Education

(757) 746-7715 - 2114 Executive Drive - Hampton, VA 23661 –

www.YourHamptonRealtor.com
5