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| The Pivotal Decision |
Scrutinizing the Schools
05/03/2004
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When evaluating schools, we should ask some of
the same basic questions of each, and keep a record of responses. If possible,
we should audit classes and acquaint ourselves with the school’s culture. (This
is not always possible: In New York City, for example, due to the high volume of
applications, many schools do not allow campus visits unless the family has
already applied.) We should attend sports events and extracurricular programs
and observe what students do during their free time. If possible, we should
speak with the students themselves. Most good private schools will have a fellow
student guide us on a tour with our child. Areas worthy of exploration might
include:
Overview and Performance
• Class size
• Student/teacher ratio
•
Facilities (computer labs, athletics, library, auditoriums)
• Type and
quality of athletic programs
• Type and quality of music and arts
programs
• Number of teachers with advanced degrees
• Community outreach
programs
• Travel opportunities
• Average test scores
Culture
• Size of student body
• Formality (are uniforms required; do
teachers and students dine
together; are they on a first-name
basis?)
• Is the questioning and challenging of ideas encouraged?
• Is
athletic participation required?
• Is participation in music or arts programs
required?
• Does the school have a liberal or conservative political
bias?
• Is the school coed or single sex?
• How diverse—economically,
racially, geographically—is the student body?
Alumni
• Has the school produced high-achieving graduates?
• How many
have gone on to top universities?
• How many become leaders in their
fields?  Back to main article: "The Pivotal Decision"
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