Whether your child has just finished middle school or is looking to take the next step in his academic life, or if he is looking for a change in high school, you should definitely consider these top factors before you help him make this exciting decision.
The need for selecting the most suitable high school for the child
For parents, picking the right high school is a big decision that can have a huge impact on the child’s future. Hence, it is very important to think critically about the school one is considering and ensure that the most appropriate schools are short-listed
Whether it’s a public, private, or an international education system, every parent wants the best high school for their children.
Learn about what parents and students should look for in high schools to ensure that the students excel in the years leading up to further university education.
1. The institution’s guiding philosophy
You need to understand the unique educational philosophy that guides each of your potential schools. Each type of school operates with a different educational philosophy on its agenda. You will note that International schools often have a lot of creativity and flexibility to develop their curriculum. It has a way that allows the student to learn in a more holistic and in-depth manner.
What type of high school will be right for a student will depend on your interests and the development of specific skills like critical thinking, creativity, interdisciplinary ideas, etc.
2. College Support and Student Results
When deciding on a school to attend, class size and student-to-teacher ratio are not the only significant parameters that you should consider. You should also get information about what happens to students after graduation.
Ask questions like
1. What are the college matriculation rates?
2. Do colleges and universities easily accept graduates from the school you are considering?
3. How many graduating seniors get into one of their top chosen colleges?
Individual student results can provide information on the type of support and success you might expect when you attend a particular school. So these questions are important.
3. Counselling Programs and Resources
Those schools that offer Counselling Programs report surprising benefits to students though not every school offers mentoring programs. If a school on your shortlist offers add-on programs, you can be sure that that school understands the importance of supporting students during weak years. The presence or lack of a mentoring and add-on program can signify other types of support that you can expect as a student if you enroll in one of the leading schools.
4. The class size
Two things matter the most when it comes to choosing a school to attend.
1. The first is the average class size or the number of students typically found in an individual class
2. The second is the student-to-teacher ratio, which measures the number of students compared to the number of instructors in a school.
The lower the student count in each class, the better.
Why is it better when these numbers are on the lower side?
The reason is that small class sizes have many benefits for students, including more personal interaction from instructors, a firm sense of community, and more opportunities to contribute to discussions, etc. It can positively impact your overall educational experience. Average class size is one of the factors to be considered every time you look for a new school
5. Tour the campus
It is crucial to visit every school you are shortlisting. A personal visit can tell you everything that other sources cannot. You can seek answers about things that are important to you and your child. By observing students and teachers during school hours, you can learn a lot about the school’s culture and how children are treated. See the website of each school for further information.
6. Support to the child
Another kind of support is equally important. Know if teachers are available for personal support before and after school or during recess. Find out if students get academic support from other students if there is a peer-learning system. If a student is constantly struggling or failing in the classroom, ask what the school does in such a scenario.
Schools regularly check in with students to ensure that they are academically, socially, and emotionally doing well with the help of mentoring groups. Find out whether therapists or social workers are available for emotional and social support for a child.
7. Extra-curricular activities
It would be best also to evaluate the various extra-curricular activities provided by a school. If you enroll in a school, what kind of clubs, communities, and sports teams will you gain access to?
Often, colleges consider extra-curricular activities when evaluating applicants. Extra-curricular activities give students a fun element to look forward to besides allowing them to explore interests and passions that they may not be able to explore in the classroom. Students often meet new people and this helps them think multidimensionally and makes them well-rounded personalities. Global Indian International School has started Tokyo Summer School Program in which they focus on many extracurricular activities like Yoga, Sports, Role Playing, etc.
The school you are considering should have at least one or more extra-curricular activities that excite you.
8. A child with special needs
Ensure you talk to both the students and teachers associated with the program that provides it if your student needs any special assistance. You can find out if they have shadow teachers and special educators to guide and assist a student.
Take a walk around the school with your child and talk about what they observe. Ask them or know about how they are greeted and treated-discuss with them how they experience school. Go ahead with the enrollment if the student finds being there a good experience.
9. Weigh all your options
Today, parents have a wide choice in high schools for their teens. They are not required to restrict their choice to high schools in their immediate neighbourhood. Most areas offer many options, such as private and public high schools, vocational schools, and international schools. You can also look at home-schooling networks, online education, and tie-ups with local colleges. If you want to ensure your child’s best option, it is important to research all the schools around your vicinity.
10. Comprehensive performance
High school is a time when a lot of brain changes occur in a teen after childhood. However, competition in college admissions today compels students to curtail their interests when they should actually be broadening them. Look for a high school where your child’s brain is familiar with a wide variety of subjects, cultures, and activities, both inside and outside the classroom.
11. The importance of values
Your best fit will be the one that matches your ideas, as each school has its own set of values and culture. It is wise to spend some fixed time at home with your child, and determine what values are important to your family. What are the beliefs you want to reinforce in the student? Before you pick on a high school, know about the kind of environment your children will be at his or her best
To conclude
It is necessary to find the right high school to ensure that your child starts with his or her academic or professional career on the right foot. Choosing a high school is not easy, but the more information you have, the more informed your decision will be in finding one of the best international schools in Tokyo.
