8 Tips on Choosing Private Schools in San Diego
Do you have a child that’s near school-ready age? Looking for a place to transfer your child because public school just isn’t working for you?
You’re not alone! There are tons of benefits of private schools. In fact, they make up for about a quarter of schools in the United States.
So how do you make sure you’re making the right choice for your kid?
If you live in the San Diego area and are looking for a private school your child can attend, you’ve come to the right place. Here are eight tips for choosing private schools in the area.
1. Distance
One of the key things to consider when selecting the best private school is how far your child is going every day. This ties into travel expectations since some schools might have buses and others do not.
It’s not only a question of how early are you willing to wake your kid up, but also a question of how early you’re willing to get up yourself! And then you have to think about the time it’ll take to pick your kid up after school as well.
When visiting different schools, make sure you make note of this small but important detail.
2. Size
Then comes school size. One of the biggest perks about private schools is that they are much smaller than public schools, giving students and teachers more opportunities to connect and improve their learning.
But in considering options for schools many differences can be present. Pay attention to the way that classes are divided and how many students are in each class.
It’s also helpful to think about how easy it will be for your kid to transition to a smaller school. Most private school students have grown up together over a long period of time, so they have close friend groups.
3. Policy
Because private schools are independent organizations, they have the ability to create a lot of the rules on their campus. When choosing the right private school, be sure to look into the school’s policy and what you feel most comfortable with.
Private schools will have many different ideas when it comes to dress code, attendance, and discipline. If you have trouble finding what school policy is, it’s important to ask before you enroll.
You don’t want your child stuck at a school that they struggle at because of the policies it puts in place!
4. Extracurriculars
Getting your kid involved is a great way to buy more time before having to pick them up. But it also encourages improving social skills, staying in shape, and taking responsibility.
That’s why after school activities are a key part of a student’s lifestyle, no matter the type of school they’re going to. Always inquire about the types of extracurricular programs available to your child when looking into a school.
The more the merrier, from chess club to ballet. Extracurriculars guarantee your child an opportunity to make friends and stay engaged throughout their day.
5. Money
It may be the least exciting part of the search for the perfect private school: expenses.
It’s no secret that private schools will often cost more than public schools. Sometimes this is a good thing, and sometimes it’s less helpful; it all depends on where you live.
But private schools can still be affordable.
Some offer volunteer programs for parents, and many will offer scholarships to students for tuition.
If you’re really drawn to a certain school, don’t let the money stop you. Ask about scholarship options and other avenues to get your kid enrolled.
6. Faith
Most private schools use their independent status to integrate faith into their mission statements and curriculum. Faith can be a critical point for many parents.
Some want their children brought up with faith as a part of their education. Others would prefer for church to be church and for school to be school.
Make sure you have a conversation with your spouse or with yourself about what you want for your child. Faith-based private schools come in many denominations, so you just need to do your research.
And while in the minority, there are private schools that are not faith-based, so if you feel that it isn’t for your child, you’ll just need to look a bit harder.
7. Faculty
Along with the point about policy, an independent organization doesn’t have any enforced requirements about the people it hires. That can seem concerning, but it actually opens a lot of doors for schools.
But it does mean you should be intentional about looking into faculty members. You can have your own seal of approval when it comes to picking the school with the best teachers.
And the word “faculty” doesn’t only apply to teachers. Secretaries, counselors, and janitorial staff are all included!
8. Preparations
Finally, there’s the college preparation that a school instills in its students. A good question to ask when searching for the best school is how well it is preparing your child for the future.
This is something you should be thinking about regardless of public or private institutions. College readiness or future-readiness as a whole should be a staple to education.
No matter what age, your child can always be learning helpful skills that will shape them into a better person. That’s why it’s important to focus on what a school is doing to help your child succeed in the future.
Choosing Private Schools Without the Hassle
Now you’ve got eight key things to think about when choosing private schools. The perfect school is out there, all it takes is a good search.
If you’re ready to end the search, it’s time to apply for Notre Dame Academy.
Notre Dame Academy is dedicated to checking all of your boxes and then some. We’re ready to provide an unforgettable education from Pre-K to middle school that touches the whole family.
So take a tour of campus, meet with our principal, and apply today. And never hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have—we want to give you answers!
