Sometimes, parents are unsure of how to help their child best, and this scenario is particularly the case when it comes to choosing a school program for a child’s education. Children spend the majority of their waking hours attending school and doing school-related tasks, and one of the most important decisions that parents can make is which school their child attends.
Parents must decide between different educational options when trying to find a school program, including virtual and in-person school programs. To help choose the best type of school program for your child, we detail six questions that parents should be thinking about regarding their child’s schooling.
What is the school’s mission statement?
A school should have a clearly-defined mission statement that tells parents and students what they can expect from the education system.
For example, at Shepherd’s Hill Academy our mission is to model and teach God’s truth to build intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual character into struggling teens and their families who are in crisis; for the purpose of impacting today’s culture for the glory of God and the benefit of society.
How many students attend the school each year?
It’s important for parents to know the number of students at a school so they can understand the class size. The student-to-teacher ratio will help you know how much one-on-one time your child will get from day to day.
The smaller the class size, the more likely your student will get a quality education that is catered directly to their needs.
The average public school student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 15:1. On the other hand, Shepherd’s Hill Academy has a 5:1 ratio.
Is the school accredited?
Accreditation refers to the quality of education a school provides to its students. For a campus to be accredited, it must go through a detailed process with an authorized program.
The biggest difference between an accredited school and one that hasn’t been accredited is the way colleges and universities look at them. A diploma from an accredited school has value that a college will recognize. While a diploma from a school without accreditation has little to no worth.
Shepherd’s Hill Academy is an accredited and licensed Christian therapeutic boarding school by the Education Agency with Special Purposes of Georgia Accrediting Commission.
What extracurricular activities does the school offer?
From athletics programs to chess club, extracurriculars are an integral part of keeping students engaged with their school. You should consider the list of activities each school offers to determine whether it will be a good fit.
Some of the most popular extracurricular activities include:
- Sports
- Performing arts
- Academic clubs
- Student government
- Visual arts
- Community service
- Equine programs
How much is tuition?
Among the most vital things to think about when choosing a school for your child is how much it will cost. As you learn about the price of a school’s tuition, make sure you also ask about their financing options. Some schools may be able to set up payment plans to make it easier for you to manage.
Most schools also offer financial aid or scholarship programs to remove portions of the tuition costs altogether.
What is the school’s application process?
A complicated and long-winded application process can be stressful for parents choosing the right school for their child. While there are key aspects needed for an application to run smoothly, it doesn’t have to be difficult. A simple admissions process will include basic steps like:
- Filling out a form either online or in person
- An introductory meeting to discuss specifics
- Submitting the required documents
- Completing the enrollment process
In general, a reputable school with have staff members readily available to assist you with each phase of the application process.
Are you ready to choose the right school for your child?
These questions will give you a solid foundation as you choose a school for your child. The more information you can gather, the more likely you will find an educational program that is the right fit.
If you’d like to learn more about Shepherd’s Hill Academy, please feel free to get in touch with us today!
