Most Private schools are different as they have a lot more to offer regarding quality, culture, education and fees. Law requires all the public schools to give admission to all the students depending upon their infrastructure and capabilities. In contrast, private schools are not under any obligation to admit all the students.
The parents and the children have to go through a selective process, and only those parents and children who stand out from the rest are eventually selected. The private schools can also admit only those students who seem fit as per their criteria and can be very selective during this process. Some parents also appreciate this behaviour of private schools being selective as they believe that their children should learn from such motivated, high-achieving peers and bright individuals.
Due diligence needed during the school admission phase
Parents who are new to the educational system, or who are confused between private schools and public schools can benefit greatly from this article. This article will help you gain insight about the private schools and provide you with questions to ask private school representatives that they should answer properly before filling out the school admission entry form.
1. Understand the school’s philosophy and vision
Send your children to private schools with good philosophical ideas and visions. These will help them set moral values and make them responsible citizens of the nation. You should ensure that their beliefs and vision should match, and they should implement those ideas and beliefs.
Usually, the tagline or the mission statement is the main philosophical idea or the vision behind the school. They also try to stick to it to be transparent, reliable and trustworthy in front of parents. Observe how the school is implementing the vision. You can get a rough idea by observing their teaching patterns, how they look at extracurricular activities and how they treat the students.
2. Ask them what type of students they are looking for
Most private schools accept students from a normal background depending upon their academic, social and emotional profiles. But some private schools prefer students who are very good at academics, maths, science or sports. This way, they can have good students and can help represent their schools at a national or international level.
The children who are more interested in sports are also encouraged as they are termed to be more ambitious and active. If you realise your child excels at something, then there are chances that the private schools will try to have you by their side.
3. Ask about which curriculum they teach
The curriculum is the most important part, and the best curriculum results in children learning more independently. There are many types of curriculum, and children in private schools prefer the international baccalaureate type of curriculum. But before you start filling out the enquiry form for school admission entry, ask about which curriculum they give more importance to.
You must also know the fundamentals of all the curriculum, which will help you make an informed decision. Some curriculum prefers the students to learn the subjects on their own by doing self initiated research and some learn under conditions where they derive everything from the textbook.
4. Enquire about the number of students in class and the teacher-student ratio
The number of students in the classroom and the teacher-student ratio can affect how children learn and grow. If the classroom is more crowded, the teacher won’t pay close attention to all the students. Similarly, the teacher-student ratio should also be below to ensure that the children enhance their learning experience.
Do not be afraid to ask about the specifics and the number of students in the class. You want your child to have the teacher’s attention, and your child won’t be getting it if the class is packed with 50 or 60 students in the class. A minimum of only 25-30 students should be present per class.
5. How much are the fees, and what is included in the fees?
Private schools charge more for their services. However, some schools only charge higher fees but do not provide the services they are changing the money for. Therefore you must understand how much fees you’re about to pay the school and understand how it will be used to better your child.
Check whether the fees include the textbooks, uniforms, food and charges for other activities. Also, ask them whether they will charge additional money for the field trips or if they are included in the fees. Some schools take money for the fees and charge additional money for books or study materials.
6. Check what extracurricular activities they have to offer
Since private schools charge so much money as fees, they should include a wide range of sports and extracurricular activities for children. These activities should include clubs, such as chess, carom, tennis, debate, or literature club. Check a school that also has music classes, dance classes, archery or other outdoor sports classes, gym and community service opportunities.
If the school has extracurricular activities that your child likes, then there are more chances that they will enjoy their time at school. Some private schools charge additional for the extracurricular activities as per the activities in which your child participates. At the same time, some have it all covered in the fees.
Also Read: Why Choose an International School?
7. Ask about how they have used technology to make the student’s life better?
With the ongoing pandemic, many schools and educational institutions have come up with more unique and interesting ways to use modern technology. These technologies come in the form of video call services for conducting online lectures, having a website take care of all their needs during an exam, and having soft copies of all the notes.
A school that has modern technological features tends to talk about them while you’re filling out the school admission entry form in order to build a sense of trust. Ask them which of these features can be accessed by the students once they start coming to school. Ask the students if their life is better or are they happy with the way things are going on in school.
8. How does the school plan on measuring the achievements of each child?
Schools keep in check the results of the children and can come up with innovative ways to help the students if the students fail or do not get the desired marks. It would help if you also track the achievement of your child by looking into their report cards and keeping a close tab on the way they perform in school.
Some schools have an alienated way of assessing the assignments or exam, while some are stricter. If your child is in a strict school, then you must warn them and prepare them. This will not demotivate the child, and the child will try to give more and find ways to excel in school.
The school should have a feedback form regarding the teaching and other aspects of school. Private schools should also inform the parents about the report cards and always keep in touch with them to let them know about their child’s behaviour and tactics.
Final thoughts
We hope that this article will give you an insight about the things you can ask private schools and then make an informed decision with your child’s best interest at heart.
