Searching for the right school is not a sprint, it's a marathon, requiring committed preparation. While finding the right house is all about location, location, location, when it comes to private schools, the motto is fit, fit, fit. There is no one-size-fitsall approach. What makes a school perfect for your neighbour's child doesn't necessarily make it the right choice for yours.
Your family's circumstances, the individual strengths and needs of your child, your education philosophy and vision will all contribute to your choice of schools.
Private and independent schools are numerous and diverse. There are schools with excellent academic and athletic programs. Some schools follow a distinct education philosophy, such as Montessori, or serve a particular religious community. There are arts-based schools, all-boys schools, boarding schools... and the list goes on.
So before you start flipping through attractive brochures or browsing websites, take the time to consider, as a family, what it is you are looking for in a school and why.
Top considerations
Your child's personality, learning style and academic ability.
Special learning strengths and/or needs your child may have.
Your family's values, goals and priorities.
Your budget for education spending.
How far you are willing to let your child travel each day and commuting distance to and from school.
What type of academic setting you are looking for (a back-to-basics curriculum or a more alternative approach) and how strong you'd like the academic focus to be.
Your absolute musthaves, such as small class sizes or specific athletic facilities.
Coed or same sex, boarding and/or day school preferences.
School size: Are you searching for a small or large school?
Program duration: Are you looking for a school with an elementary and a high school program, where your child can stay for many years?
The importance of extracurricular activities.
Write down your basic must-haves in one column of a page. In a second column, add your wish list - the points that are not essential, but would be a bonus to find.
Quick tips
Start your search early. A year in advance is not too soon.
Do first-hand research. Don't rely on the experiences of others.
Contact a number of schools directly and ask them to mail out an information package.
Attend open houses and private school fairs.
