What are you looking for?
AccreditationHas the school been approved by a recognized accrediting body?
AffordabilityWhat’s the tuition? What about other costs? Are there general fees, how much are books, other activity fees, general student costs? Is financial aid available?
Can younger children be dropped off before, or stay after, regular school hours?
Before- and After-School Programs
College Acceptance RateHow many of the school’s graduates go on to higher education? What’s the college counseling department at the school like?
CurriculumAre there Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes? Does the school have co-curricular, athletic, art, music and drama programs? Is there a specific educational program, such as the Montessori or Waldorf method? How about year-round, block or modular scheduling?
Entry PointsThe most common entry points are preschool/kindergarten, sixth, seventh and ninth grades. Do many children transfer into the school at a certain grade? Are there ages at which the school does not accept new students?
LocationHow long will your morning commute be? What is the physical campus like?
Mission and PhilosophyHave you looked over the school’s mission statement and seen how that is incorporated into the school? Why was the school founded and how has its mission changed over the years?
TypeDo you want a coeducational school or all boys or all girls? Which would work for your child?
Religious AffiliationDoes the school have religious ties? Is it independently governed or overseen by a larger church organization?
SelectivityHow difficult is it to gain admission into the school? If you apply to selective schools, make sure to apply to several.
SizeWhat’s the total school size, class size and student-teacher ratio? How do they fit with what you know of your child?