What should I look for in an elementary school for my child?
When you are house-hunting for your new home, there is so much to think about… interest rates, single-family or townhome, two bedrooms or three; the process can be overwhelming. Another vital aspect to consider is where your children will go to school. For parents who want their child to go to the local elementary school, how do you know that the house you want is a good investment for your entire family? I frequently speak with families searching for a house within an excellent school district, while also ensuring their child goes to a great elementary school. When you buy the house, you want to make sure your new home is a great investment for you now and continues to be a great investment when the time comes to sell. You are not just buying the house for your child, you are also buying it for the next homeowner’s children.
There are various lists of ‘look for’ criteria you could use when picking a school. No doubt you will find other articles on this topic that rely on you being able to visit the school and talk with school staff. However, with many schools not offering in-person tours, there may be limited availability for parents to talk with school staff. So, what can you do now from the comfort of your home to start your research?
These 5 tips to pick a great elementary school for your child, before you buy a house is a unique perspective to consider and provides practical ways to gain access to ‘inside’ information you can use to help determine if a school is right for your child. Whether you decide to stay in your local elementary school or choose to go to a private school, this information will help you make the best decision you can for your family.
Tip #1- School Boundary is key
Most houses are located within a pre-determined school boundary. This boundary designates to what elementary, middle, and high school your child will attend. When looking for a house, you want to consider the school they will attend as this may affect the price of the house you are about to purchase, and you want to make sure your new investment is where you want it to be. Clients ask if they should use a map website to identify the closest school to their house. While it may be reasonable to assume that the school geographically nearest to your house will be your child’s school, that may not be the case.
In larger school districts that draw from various neighborhoods, school boundary lines may not always include all homes in a geographic area nearest the school. Some districts have school boundary locators, that will identify the designated schools based on your potential house’s address. If your school district does not have this resource, contact your school district and ask what elementary, middle, and high school your address is assigned based on the potential house’s address. You should also ask your real estate agent and verify with the school district as this error would prove costly when you move into the house, only to find out that your new home is not designated for the school you thought.
Tip #2- School Website
A school’s website can tell you a lot about a school’s climate and culture. Does the website include various educational websites for their students to use? Does the website feature student and staff photos? What activities and events are students engaging in and how excited do you think your children would be engaging in these at their new school? These may not be definitive indicators, but they do provide great insight into the school’s culture and focus for learning. If a school posts its newsletters and publications for public viewing, make sure to read them. These newsletters and publications will provide insider information regarding the programs, projects, current events, and focus of the school. I cannot stress enough the importance of this resource to really get a feel for the school, what it celebrates, finds important, and the level of communication and openness with its school community.
Tip #3- School Information Brochures and Handbooks
Call the school. The school most likely has brochures, informational handouts, and parent handbooks that it provides new families and can easily send to prospective parents as well. These will give you a great understanding of the school’s culture and climate, as these information sources are created to highlight what is vital for new families to know. Schools may offer periodic tours for prospective families, or they may have a staff member who can talk with you about the school and answer your questions. Understand that a tour and talking with a staff member may be more limited with COVID-19 as schools may be allowing only employees into the building. Do not be afraid to reach out to ask questions and seek more information as this will help you in your decision-making. It will also help reassure you that your new house purchase is an investment in a housing community and an investment in a thriving school community as well.
Tip #4- School Rating websites
There are many websites that rank schools, and these rankings will give you a balcony view of a school. These rankings factor in such things as student demographics, student absenteeism, teachers’ years of experience, and standardized pass rates. I caution too much emphasis on these indicators. I often use an expression to describe this scenario:
“Do not simply look for years of experience. Instead, look at the experience in those years. Some teachers have taught for one year. Some teachers have taught for one year, thirty times.”
A first-year or second-year teacher can be an outstanding educator, so do not discount years of experience. Student demographics information may also be an oversimplification of the cultures and countries represented in the school. I encourage families to learn more about the student demographic information at the school level. A global-minded child learns from their peers, and these diverse cultures will enhance your child’s understanding of the world.
These school rankings are helpful to serve as one data point, but they do not get deep into what truly makes a school unique. These websites will not give you insight into the vision and mission of the school. I know what you may be thinking… “I thought the mission and vision of a school are to educate students?” You are correct, but it goes much deeper and broader than that. For example, these ranking websites may not identify if the school has a focus on character education, service-learning opportunities, mindfulness, enriched after-school programs, advanced and remediation opportunities for students, special programs to support diverse learners, a focus on the Arts, or if they are focused on developing the soft skills our children will need for their future. School rankings should be used in tandem with other information you gather at the school level.
Tip #5- Trust your Judgement
No one knows your child better than you. Make a list of what you value and want for your child. Evaluate how your child will do in the school, and if the school provides the opportunities your child will need to reach their full potential. It is elementary school, and there is a long way to go for them to be prepared to be part of a global community, yet these elementary years provide them with the foundation to thrive. No doubt there will be successes and challenges that arise and times when your child succeeds and times when they fail. It is your trust in the school you chose and your relationship with these professionals that will help your child celebrate their successes and overcome their challenges. That relationship starts before you even buy that house.
Modern Learning LLC, "Educating for tomorrow" 