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Making the Right Choice for Your Child’s Education
Choosing a private school for your child is an expensive proposition and it can be hard to know where to begin. Dr. Michael Nicholson offers his expert tips for how to look beyond the marketing materials to get to the heart of what matters in education, from curriculum to college placement.
Selecting the right middle or high school for your child can be a stressful experience. There are so many things to consider, questions to ask, and options to pursue. Most private schools now have fully staffed communications and marketing teams, offering compelling materials with beautiful photos, engaging social media, and informative websites. They tell you what they want you to know about their institution, but as someone looking to find the best-fit school for your child, you can (and should!) dig deeper.
As a parent of school-aged children, an educator, and a school administrator, I’d like to offer the following considerations to use when searching for the right school for your child. If you can’t find the answers to these questions in the school’s admissions materials, don’t be afraid to ask a member of the admissions team. The perfect time would be when you visit the school for a tour, open house, or an interview. Any good school will appreciate a savvy parent who knows what to ask, and if they don’t that’s one more metric by which you can measure that institution.
Teacher Quality
Research shows that the greatest influence on student outcomes is the quality of the teacher, and yet that’s something that can be hard to find in many schools’ admissions materials. Every school will call their teachers highly-qualified, talented, dedicated, etc., but what are the stats that back those claims up? You should ask.
Questions to consider:
- What percentage of the faculty at the school have advanced degrees?
- Does the school invest in continuing education? If so, how?
- What professional development has taken place in recent years and what is planned going forward?
- What’s the average length of employment for faculty and staff?
Curriculum / Academics
“Academic excellence” is an overused descriptor (right up there with “rigorous”) when it comes to private schools. Any school can claim that they are excellent, but how will you be able to judge if it’s the right fit for your child? To me, academic excellence means doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons. With knowledge comes responsibility, and an academically excellent school will not only equip your child with knowledge, it will teach him or her how to put that knowledge into action. A school like this will also provide your child with a broad exposure to a variety of topics and fields. After all, middle school and high school should be about discovery, not specialization. Since we are talking about choosing a school, there are a lot of questions you should think about asking when it comes to academics and the curriculum!
Questions to consider:
- How are students placed into classes and what levels are used within each respective discipline?
- In subjects where there are not multiple levels, how do teachers ensure that the individual needs of each student are met?
- What is a student’s ability to move up or down in levels throughout their middle and high school journey? Can a student be placed in different levels based upon his or her ability in specific subject areas?
- What Advanced Placement courses are available, and what year can students begin taking them? Does the school have any post-AP offerings, and/or do they have any strategic partnerships with colleges and universities for dual enrollment/credit courses?
- Does the school have offerings for credit over the summer?
- What are the school's graduation requirements and how do they align with the expectations of colleges and universities?
- Does a school have signature or unique programs within the curriculum that set them apart from other schools?
- What are the different elective opportunities available to students?
- Does the school balance high academic standards with the ability to be involved in other formative experiences outside of the classroom, such as sports, clubs, and service activities? What is the school’s policy on homework? Is it “more is more” (homework for homework’s sake), or does it focus on the quality of the work and the consistency of the expectations?
- Does the school offer a variety of assessment styles that reflect emerging best practices in the educational landscape?
Class Size
Parents often worry about class size, and it’s a valid concern. However, I think what they are really worried about is whether or not their child will be known, cared for, and valued, and if he or she will receive personalized support and encouragement. More important than class size to achieving these goals is the quality of the teacher and the opportunities for relationship building between students and teachers outside of the classroom. Simply put, a room of six students can be just as easily bored and disinterested as a room of 25 students. The quality of the teacher will impact student interest and investment in a subject area far more than the class size will. In addition, class time should never be the only time students see their teachers. In order for there to be a strong relationship between teachers and students (which research has shown is a great predictor of student engagement and success), there need to be more opportunities for interactions both inside and outside of the classroom.
Questions to consider:
- How do teachers support students who need extra help?
- Is someone available before, during, and after school to assist my child in every subject?
- Do all teachers participate in some other aspect of school life (whether it’s homeroom, coaching, retreats, or running a club)?
- How does the school determine appropriate class sizes and staffing needs?
Athletics
Youth sports are more popular than ever before, and it seems these days athletics are just as important to parents as academics. To that we offer the caution that less than 3% of student athletes will go on to play at a Division 1 college and university, and only a small fraction of those will play professionally. It’s important to keep athletics in perspective! That said, there are some things to look out for in a prospective school.
Questions to consider:
- Is the school’s priority playing time or competitiveness of the school’s team?
- What are the non-cut sports?
- Can my son join a team if he’s never played the sport before?
- How modern, clean, and safe are the facilities? (You’ll get a great understanding of this on a tour. If your child’s sports field/court etc., isn’t on the tour route, ask for a special stop.)
- And for those exceptional student athletes, it’s worth knowing how well the school supports the college recruitment process. What schools have athletes gotten into recently? How often are athletes from the school committing to D1, 2, or 3 programs?
Arts
A study made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts demonstrates that students who participate in arts education experience significantly more positive developmental outcomes than those who do not, and that benefit increases the longer a student is able to partake in arts programming in school. Arts education has been shown to be responsible for an overall increase in optimism, a reduction in suspensions, fostering school attachment and engagement, a higher likelihood of completing a four-year degree, lessening a student’s likelihood of consuming alcohol or taking drugs, and even for an improved vocabulary as an adult. The opportunity to participate in art, music, and theater throughout the middle and high school years is essential to providing a complete education.
Questions to consider:
- What are the curricular opportunities available beyond any art graduation requirements, such as fine arts, theater/performing arts, band/chorus/orchestra, digital media, sound production, etc.?
- What about extracurricular opportunities?
- Are performance ensembles scheduled before or after school, or during the school day?
- Does the school offer theatrical productions each year?
- Does the school invest in talented instructors for these programs?
- Are there opportunities for private lessons at the school?
- How does the school foster an appreciation for the arts in all of its students?
Study Skills
Excellent schools understand that it is not just what you learn, but how you learn. In more technical terms, the study of metacognition explores how the brain receives and processes information. Teaching the skills of learning enables a child to be successful in any situation. It is the old “if you teach a man to fish…” adage.
Questions to consider:
- What study skills does the school claim to foster in their students?
- Where specifically in the curriculum are these skills taught?
- How are study skills supported for students in need of additional assistance?
Student Support
Adolescence has always been challenging, but in a post-COVID, social media obsessed world, it is even more difficult. As rates of teen depression, anxiety, and stress continue to climb, it is critical that a school provide the necessary resources to adequately support students in all facets of their growth and development.
Questions to consider:
- What support systems are available for students with mental health concerns and/or social/emotional struggles?
- How does the school support students with different learning profiles and needs?
- How often do students have physical education classes, and do they take it every year? (Many schools have cut physical education requirements and opportunities, but physical health is essential for a student’s well-being. You can even ask what electives they have in this area!)
- How does the school support students who are struggling academically?
- How are new students acclimated to the community? Are there mentoring programs available?
- How are engagement and student participation fostered within the life of a school?
Character Development
We often ask children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, but the question misses the mark. It tells us what they want to be, but we learn nothing about what drives them - what they’re passionate about. Before students can find their way, they have to find their WHY. Intentionality comes through an evolving self-awareness and attention to the needs of those around you. This type of formation, or character development, happens when a student is fully engaged within the life of the school: academics, clubs/extracurriculars, and—if it is a faith-based institution—campus ministry.
Questions to consider:
- What does the school describe as the most formative experiences of a student during their time there?
- How does the school emphasize character development and the formation of the whole person?
- Does the school provide positive examples of conduct and behavior?
- Does the school offer opportunities for engagement (i.e. service) within the local community and beyond?
- Is there a service requirement?
- Are there opportunities for a student to reflect on their own growth and identity?
College Placement
While headlines emphasize the increasing competitiveness of getting into college, I believe there is a right school for every student. Some high schools will place the sole emphasis on getting students into the most selective colleges and universities (regardless of the personal fit for the student), but the truth is that even the most highly qualified students are not always guaranteed a spot. So should you despair? Absolutely not. A strong college counseling department that understands the nuances and challenges of the landscape can help to best position your child for success beyond high school - even if that’s not at Harvard. As Frank Sachs, Director of College Counseling at The Blake School says, "College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won."
Questions to consider:
- When does your school begin talking about the college planning process with students?
- How does the school support standardized test success, such as with the SAT and ACT?
- What programs are in place for students and parents to learn about college placement, financial aid, and if applicable, college athletics?
- Does the school provide opportunities to engage with college admissions representatives through college fairs, small group meetings, and interviews?
- Is there programming available to guide a student through the application process, including support for essays, preparing for interviews, and completing the Common App?
- What are the most common colleges and universities that graduates from the school attend?
- Does the school have strategic partnerships with any colleges or universities to offer guaranteed enrollment and tuition incentives?
- What programs does the school offer that help distinguish students from their peers in a competitive marketplace?
- Do counselors help students identify appropriate fit institutions (such as a safety school, a reach school, etc.)?
At the end of the day, there’s no “one size fits all" solution for education. What works for one child may not work for another. And of course, there’s no denying the “X factor” that some places just “feel right.” If you’ve asked all the right questions, are happy with the answers, visited campus and like the feel of the buildings and the community, then congratulations -- you’ve found the right school for your child! To best position your child for success, make sure that you adhere to the admissions timeline and follow the process to the letter. Complete any required tests, submit applications on time, have letters of recommendation and grades submitted as required, do the interview (even if it’s optional) and shadow day, and fill out any paperwork necessary to apply for financial assistance.
Finally, remember that this next stage of your child’s development is another step toward their adulthood—it is okay to put them in the driver’s seat! Let them ask the questions, author any essays, and offer their first impressions. More than bricks and mortar, the greatest investment you will ever make is in the young person standing right in front of you.
Xaverian Brothers High School
Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.
