Considering a Private School for Your Child? Here’s How to Choose.
Selecting the best school for your child can be a tough decision.
One of the most frequent questions parents ask of Justin Zimmerman, Headmaster of the Linsly School in Wheeling, WV, is how they should go about choosing the right school for their son or daughter.
Here are a few thoughts he shares with parents as they go through the selection process:
Look for a supportive, safe community where your child will be known as an individual.
Students learn best when they feel known and supported. Adult and peer-to-peer connections are critical to adolescent growth and development. Students need to know they belong.
Teachers should be able to identify your child’s strengths, abilities, and special interests. When teachers know their students, they can connect learning to the students’ interests, identify areas for improvement, and engage students in meaningful learning. Communities with smaller class sizes tend to promote positive relationships.
Look for an environment where talented and passionate teachers interact with your child on a daily basis.
The best schools with the best teachers invest in regular professional development, provide on-going teacher training, and expect teachers to research the best teaching practices and methods.
Your children deserve to be in an environment where teachers continually improve and model what good learning looks like. Ask how often teachers engage in professional development.
Ask about the school’s expectations.
Parents should ask, “Do the discipline policies align with my expectations as a parent?” and “Does the school actively uphold high expectations for behavior and expect students to be kind, respectful, and appropriate inside and outside of the classroom?” What gets modeled and enforced for children at home and in school has a huge impact on their personal decisions.
Parents should consider extra-curricular opportunities available and preparedness for life after high school.
Meaningful engagement inside and outside of the classroom is important. Experiences outside of the classroom help shape a child’s experience. Will your son or daughter be able to participate in those things at their school?
Do you see your child attending a four-year college or university?
If so, what resources does the school have to prepare your child for such an opportunity? Will the school help you navigate this process as a family?
Education is one of the greatest gifts they will ever receive from you. It’s up to you to make the decision for your child’s education. Visit schools, observe classes, speak to administrators, and make sure you make an informed decision.
If you’re considering choosing a private school for your child, The Linsly School Admissions Office can help guide the discussion and answer your questions.
Linsly is hosting an “Experience Linsly Day” on Saturday, October 20, from 9 am to noon. You are most welcome to attend.
Your family can learn about the opportunities that Linsly offers, meet faculty and administrators, learn about our financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and discuss the transportation options Linsly offers to and from Washington, PA.
Visit www.linsly.org/admissions or call our admissions office at 304-233-1436 for more information about visiting campus.
We look forward to meeting you!
This article is sponsored by The Linsly School and written by Justin Zimmerman, Headmaster, Linsly School.