Moving to a new neighborhood can be a bit overwhelming if you have kids because you’ll have to find them a new school. And you don’t just want your kids to attend any old school. You want it to be a successful school that graduates your child to each new grade level with pride.
But, what makes a successful school?
The characteristics of a good school aren’t always easy to spot. Successful schooling starts with education but it doesn’t end there. Effective schools make learning fun while instilling morals and values in your child that he or she will use throughout their lifetime.
If you’re searching for the best qualities of an effective school but you’re not sure where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’re discussing what you should be looking for before enrolling your child in a new school. Keep reading to learn more.
Top 5 Qualities of Effective Schools
Want a comprehensive list of Toronto neighborhoods that boast good schools? View here. Otherwise, follow these guidelines when interviewing prospective schools for your child.
Experiential Learning
The experiential learning cycle follows four elements starting with experience. The cycle progresses through reflection, conceptualization, and experiments.
Your potential school should hold high expectations for your child. There should be ongoing evaluations related to their work. You should also expect to have discussions about their goals and direction.
A good school practices experiential learning to provide your child with the tools he or she needs to succeed later in life.
Faculty Training
The faculty and teachers at your school should practice leadership. In this same vein, they should be consistently learning alongside your child.
In this fast-paced era of technological advances, it’s more important than ever for teachers to be involved in continuing education. Continuing education provides teachers with the knowledge and tools they need to interact successfully with their students.
Extra Curricular Activities
One of the oftentimes overlooked characteristics of effective schools is their ability to provide enough extracurricular activities. There should be more to the playground than just a Jungle Jim. And there should be plenty of activities for your child to get involved with outside of school.
Consider looking for something that you can practice in your own backyard like soccer or group functions.
Wellness & Hygiene Measures
Schools are full of germs. With hundreds if not thousands of kids roaming the corridors each day, your child is bound to bring home a virus. That’s why cleanliness in your school should be a top priority.
A good school will keep books and stationary neatly organized. Floors are clean and shelves and cupboards are free from clutter.
Security Measures
Your potential school should have an adequate number of security guards and cameras. There should be strict policies in place for children arriving to or leaving the campus. There should be even stricter policies on allowing adults onto the premises.
Talk to your school’s counselor or advisor about what type of security measures your school implements.
Final Thoughts
Effective schools also practice reading comprehension on a few different levels. Their focus is to have students leave their grade with a better comprehension of the theories and topics covered so that they will have a better understanding of the next year’s materials. Look for schools that assign more reading assignments and projects for your child.
For more tips about moving into a new home with kids, check out our blog post on keeping the kids’ rooms clean and organized. Staying organized during and after your move will alleviate headaches associated with trying to find a new school.