Choosing the Right Private School Education

You have made the decision to give your child a private school education. With so many options, how do find the right one to fit your child's needs? The first steps are to consider your priorities, arm yourself with a lengthy list of questions and start setting up appointments. Your child's education is too important not to take the time to choose the perfect fit.

Why Choose a Private School Education?

Those sending their children to private schools have a variety of motives behind their decision. For some the decision is based on moral values and religion. Others feel that a private education offers better academics and want their child in a smaller class that will offer the benefit of more personal attention.

It is important to have a list of education priorities before you start looking for a school. For example, if academics are more important to you than religion, but religion is more important to you than extracurricular activities, have academics be number one on your list, religion be number two on your list and extracurricular activities be number three on your list.

Private School Considerations

As part of choosing the right private school for your child, you will have to go through a process of elimination to get the number of schools you are considering down to a manageable number.

You might want to consider:



Finances. What can you afford to pay for an education at a private school? Ask if there are any financial aid or scholarship programs available to you. In addition, some states, including Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, offer breaks on income taxes if you send your kids to a private school.

Grade Levels. Do you want your child to have the option to stay through high school? Not all private schools offer grades kindergarten through 12.

Location. You will have to decide how far you are willing to drive. As you get closer to selecting a school, you can also inquire if there are any other students at the school who live in your area. You may then be able to carpool.

Questions to Ask

Additional questions to ask include:



Accreditation. Is the school accredited? If so, who is the accreditation body?

Instruction Model. What is the school's education philosophy? Does it have a traditional or alternative approach to education? What is the school's policy on homework, grading and testing?

Service Staff. What kind of staff does the school have? Is there a school nurse on location? Does the school have a psychologist or counselor? Is there a librarian on staff?

Principal or Headmaster Turnover. If the school burns through principals, the school may have a problem.

Teacher Turnover. What is the teacher turnover rate at the school? Typically speaking, private schools have higher teacher turnover rates than do public schools. In addition, smaller private schools have larger turnover than do larger private schools. However, a teacher turnover rate of 40% or more may be an indication of problems at the school.

Plan a Visit

As you get closer to choosing a private school, you should schedule an appointment with your candidate schools' headmaster or principal.


Ask about student attrition. The longer that students stay at a school, the more likely the school is to be well-run.
Ask for names of parents who have children at the school for references.
Are the school's textbooks up to date?
Does the school have enough computers? Does the school use the latest in technology in teaching?
Does the school have programs for parent involvement?
How does the school feel? Are children interacting, smiling and participating?
How does the school qualify their teachers? Does the school offer teachers additional training?
If your child has special needs, what types of programs does the school offer that will help?
Look at the grounds and facilities. How new are the facilities? How well are the facilities and grounds maintained? Is the library well-stocked with books?
What type of relationship does the school have with local businesses and the local community?
When are applications accepted? Is there a waiting list? If so, how long is the waiting list?

Making the Choice

You will have to narrow down your choices to a select few and then visit each school before you make a final decision. Do not get discouraged if the process takes a little longer than you would like. It is important to get an education for your child that matches the your requirements as closely as possible.

For more information on private school, visit the parenting section of Life123.com.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

A Guide to Choosing the Right School Program For Your Child

We are so fortunate to live in a country where we have so many educational programs to choose from for our children. However fortunate we are there's no denying that so many programs can cause our heads to spin. As a parent of three grown boys, a home-school mom, charter school founder and now the CEO of a Colorado tutoring center, I'd like to offer some guidelines that may help make this process a little easier for you.

Before you get started choosing a school, apply these four components to your decision making process:

1. School Philosophy - Is it traditional, progressive or other?
2. School Achievement Record - Information can be found at your State Department of Education website.
3. Safety - Information on a school's safety record can be found at your State Department of Education website and through your local police department.
4. Family Cohesiveness - Will the program work for all family members and the family budget?

By applying these four components to your selection process you will be able to come to a decision that is not only best for your child but will ensure educational stability which is important for student achievement. I know from personal experience, kids do not like to move from school to school as it puts too much strain on their social experience.

You will find that all schools, even though they are supposed to be created equal, are not. Should you make a change, you may find the new school is teaching a new type of math that differs from your old school. This could put your child behind right when they arrive hindering your child's progress and hurting their overall educational experience. Before you do anything, visit the school. Some schools require an appointment so you might want to call ahead and check. I also recommend visiting the classrooms. It's a red flag if a school won't let you observe a classroom. When a school doesn't require an appointment and will let you observe a classroom that's a real plus in my book.

You may not be aware of all the school choices you have available to you. I know from speaking with many or our tutoring families they are surprised to learn about the many options they have when choosing a school for their child. So let's go over the main ones and keep in mind the area where you live may have other choices so visit your state's Department of Education website to learn all about the different programs in your area. Listed below is a breakdown of school options using pros and cons. You can add your own pros and cons so it fits your personal needs.

Public Schools - I am listing items that are generally offered at public schools. There will be some differences depending on your area. Of course, you may see a con that to you is a pro so it's just a matter of opinion. If it fits with your philosophy and your family's needs then that's all that matters.

Pros:

1. Usually close to home.
2. Most kids in the neighborhood will be going, so your child will know the students.
3. May have buses to take your child to school.
4. Before and after school care offered.
5. School cafeteria (free school lunch in some areas).
6. Generally speaking, public schools have better funding then charters and private schools.
7. Extra-curricular activities available (band, sports, art, etc.).
8. PTO support.
9. Special education programs.
10. Open enrollment programs in some districts which allows you to choose a school that fits your own educational philosophy.
11. Some areas have a Track Calendar which allows for 3 week breaks during the year.
12. Usually have up-to-date curriculum and technology (Generally speaking when compared to Charter Schools).

Cons:

1. One-size- fits-all teaching methods.
2. Large class sizes.
3. Over crowding.
4. Long bus rides to school.
5. Includes areas of study you may oppose.
6. Student discipline issues due to over crowding.
7. Teacher Tenure - hard to remove ineffective teachers.
8. Some areas have a Track Calendar but you can't always have all siblings on the same track.
9. Curriculum not as rigorous as you may like.
10. Too much testing.

Charter Schools - (Pubic schools that operate autonomously)

Pros:

1. Smaller class sizes.
2. School uniforms.
3. Operates autonomously from the school district.
4. Many volunteer opportunities.
5. Parent Council.
6. A defined philosophy - You will know if the school is more traditional or progressive. Some charters are designed to be delivered outdoors only. Charters tend to inform their parents of their expectations of you and your child so you will know if it's a good match.
7. Most charters have smaller school populations.
8. Statistics are showing that charter schools out perform public schools after they have been established for 5 years or more.
9. These schools usually have a stricter code of conduct.
10. Grading scale is usually more difficult.

Cons:

1. Limited enrollment and siblings may not get in.
2. Sometimes there is a waiting list and it could take years for your child to be accepted.
3. No bus service.
4. Limited supplies and curriculum - especially if a new charter.
5. Many new charters won't have cafeteria services for the first few years.
6. Parent councils can operate poorly.
7. Teacher continuity can take a few years.
8. May not have before and after care.
9. Your child may not see their neighborhood friends.
10. These schools usually have stricter codes of conduct.
11. Grading scale is usually more difficult.
12. Won't always be able to switch to another teacher if you don't like the one your child has as most charters only have 2 classes per grade.
13. Although it is mandatory, many charters will have limited Special Ed services.
14. New charters often suffer growing pains. You'll be expected to volunteer a lot and donate as much money and supplies as you can.

Home Schools - Be sure to check with your Department of Education before you start a home school program. You usually are required to complete a form of notification and there are state guidelines and testing that must be followed as well.

Pros:

1. Freedom to choose your own curriculum and teaching methods.
2. Set your own schedule and calendar. You can hold classes 3 days a week or 6 days, whichever you prefer. Along with choosing your own curriculum this has got to be the best part of homeschooling. (180-185 days of school are usually required but you can choose to hold class in the mornings, stop at 12:00, and then come back at 3:00 and work another few hours.
3. Classes can be anywhere - at home, church, and on field trips with friends.
4. In many states your child can participate in specials (art, computer, music classes) at your local public school at no charge.
5. The joy of having more time with your kids.
6. Can establish outside playgroups and activities with other home-school moms.
7. You can join Home School Associations in your area for resources and assistance.
8. Depending on your school district, there are now online programs available free of charge that provides you with a computer, printer, curriculum and teacher contact. Your child is part of a school district program but they learn from home.

Cons:

1. Time commitment is sometimes overwhelming.
2. The cost can be underestimated. Some home school parents start from scratch and others purchase lesson plans and curriculum kits. There are so many resources now to choose from but there will be out of pocket expense.
3. Turning your home into a classroom - you may have limited space.
4. Time management.
5. Student management - your child may not always want to work with you.
6. Negative feedback from other parents. Let's face it, if you are thin skinned this may not be for you. Many parents tend to think you are doing your child a disservice by not allowing your child to go to school and have the social benefits of public school. Others will say you are trying to shelter them from the real world.

Private Schools: There are so many private schools with different programs that for me to try and list the pros and cons would not be helpful. This is one area that you really need to do your homework on to make sure the value given is worth the cost.

Hopefully you have gathered some useful information and ideas that will make your selection process easier. If you're like me there is nothing more important than a powerful education. Good, just isn't good enough!

Diane Kulback is CEO of Step to Success Community Learning Center in Parker, CO. You can visit their website at http://www.steptosuccesstutoring.com or call 1-877-744-4771.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Is Boarding School Right For Your Child?

As a parent, making the decision to send your child to boarding school is very difficult. The first step is deciding if your child will thrive at one of these types of schools. To do this, you must first understand the differences between the two types of boarding schools: traditional and therapeutic.

Boarding School Options

A traditional boarding school is a good option for children who are already motivated to learn. Some of these schools have a specific subject focus, such as math or music.

A therapeutic boarding school is a good option for children who have behavior problems, such as skipping school or being disruptive in class. Most of these schools have classes every day about dealing with emotions. These classes are held in addition to regular school classes.

Understand that there is a big difference between therapeutic boarding schools and military schools. At a military school, the focus is on changing a child's attitude through rigid rules and discipline. At a behavior-focused boarding school, the focus is on teaching the child how to control his actions and deal with his emotions in a positive way. The one thing that both types of boarding schools have in common is that there are trained professionals who help children with their academic pursuits as well as their emotions. Many schools have adults on hand around the clock to help students.

The Pros and Cons of Boarding Schools

One of the main benefits of sending a child to boarding school is the quality of education that child will receive. Boarding schools, especially private boarding schools, focus on small class sizes so that the students can learn with the aid of the teacher instead of the teacher expecting the students to learn independently.

Students at boarding schools are often more challenged academically than students at traditional schools. This is something that most colleges and universities smile upon when they are considering applicants. Sending your child to a boarding school is a wonderful idea if she is ahead of her class, especially if she is in honors or advanced placement classes.

Subject-focused traditional boarding schools are a good choice for children who already know what they want to do with their lives. For example, a child who wants to become a doctor will thrive at a boarding school that focuses on science. Likewise, a child who wants to be a Broadway performer will be a good fit at a boarding school specializing in the arts.

One of the cons of sending your child to a boarding school is the guilt that you will probably feel when he leaves for school. This will be worsened if he does not want to go. When this happens, just remember the reasons you are sending him there in the first place. At most boarding schools, your child will come home for the holidays and other school vacations. Plus, most of the time you can go see him or bring him home for a weekend.

Is Your Child Ready?

When you decide that your child should go to a boarding school, you need to consider that child's maturity level. A child who is good at managing time and money will often thrive in an independent environment. Although there is a lot of supervision for children at boarding schools, the students are responsible for caring for their own possessions and managing their own money and time. The exception to this rule is military schools and some therapeutic schools, where free time and other privileges must be earned through good behavior.

A child who makes friends easily and gets along with a variety of people will usually thrive at a boarding school. A shy child will probably be miserable unless he already knows at least one child there.

Choosing a School

Plan to visit at least three schools before you make your choice. When you tour each school, bring a notebook for you and your child to take notes about the campus, the staff, the dormitories and any other notable features. Ask questions about the school's approach to education, what facilities are available and how their programs can benefit your child.

Find out what the graduation and college acceptance rates are. Some schools have earned a reputation for placing their graduates at prestigious colleges. Be sure that reputation is backed up with placements from the last graduating class.

Involve your child as much as possible in the decision-making process. This might not work if you're considering a military school, but it's essential for academic or therapeutic schools. Both you and your child should be as comfortable as possible with your choice.

If finances are a consideration, keep in mind that many boarding schools have scholarships for children who meet certain requirements. Excellence in academics or athletics could earn your child a free ride. There are also low-interest loans available to help parents pay boarding school costs.

For more information on boarding schools, visit the parenting section of Life123.com.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

5 Tips to Finding the Right School for Your Child

If you are like me you probably lost sleep over what school to enroll your child in. This is especially the case with people who move to new school districts or moving people moving their pre-schooler to kindergarten.

Choosing the right school is one of the most critical decisions in your child's development. As hard as it is to admit, your child will spend more time at school with teachers and classmates then at home.

After making my way through the school search I would like to share my hard-earned tips to making your search easier.

First you will need to decide Public or Private School

Some districts have highly rated public schools and others do not. Private schooling does not necessarily mean religious based school. There are of course plenty of religious based schools but there are also non-sequitarian private schools to choose from.

There are many things to consider when deciding "public or private":

1 - Consider both Public and Private School Options

Public School Option

The state education system is always under fire. That doesn't mean all public schools are bad. Do some simple research and see what you think about the school(s) in your area.

- What is the local public school like?

Tour the public school during school hours. This can be arranged with the admissions office. Look at the children who attend. Are these the friends you would like for your child? Peek in the class room(s), if allowed. Does it seem organized? Meet the teacher who would be teaching your child. Ask about schedule for school and class room size.

You can find out the statistics for your local public school at http://www.publicschoolreview.com This site will give you information on the school's performance for statewide testing, student to teacher ratio compared to state average, ethnicity of students attending, etc. It will give you great information on the school.

Private School Option

Your can find out what private schools are in your area by visiting http://www.privateschoolreview.com/ This site will give you detailed information on number of students who attend, class size, student to teach ratio, etc.

When choosing a private school a couple things to consider are:

- Does the schools religious or ethics and moral instruction fall in line with how you want your child to be raised.

- Is it within reasonable commuting distance from your home

- Can you afford it?

Although this is definitely not the most important point, it must be evaluated. Private schooling is not cheap. Prices normally range from $3500-$8000 per child per year. Most schools offer payment options generally structured to include an enrollment fee and then 6-12 month payment plans. Some private schools offer scholarships based on the child's academic performance and/or the parent's income. If you decide to enroll your child in a private school long term affordability is important. You do not want to have your child transferred due to lack of tuition payment.

2 - Do Your Homework on the School(s)

Before deciding on a school you should do the following:

- Call the school and ask for a brochure or packet on the school

- Tour the school(s) you are considering

- Meet the teacher(s) that will be teaching your child

- If possible, view a class while in session

- Ask questions, any and all questions you may have

- Find out about class size

- Know about the school schedule. Does it work with your life schedule?

Once you have narrowed the search down to one or two schools have your spouse (if applicable) and child tour the school(s). Often you can schedule a tour with the school or attend an open house or parent meeting night.

Talk to your child and spouse about the school:

1 - Do you like the school? Do you feel comfortable there?

2 - Does your child like the school and feel comfortable there?

3 - Was the curriculum up to your standards?

4 - What was the education level of the students in the class?

5 - Was it clean?

3 - ENROLL

Once you have made your decision enroll your child. This is particularly important with private school. Space is limited and will fill up. Kindergarten classes are notorious for this. You can enroll your child as early as a year ahead of time to ensure they get in to the school of our choice.

4 - Waiting Lists for Private Schools

Waiting lists exist at private schools that are full, meaning the class you are trying to enroll your child in has reach maximum enrollment. You can put your child's name on a waiting list. They will call you if a space becomes available. Make sure to ask what number you are on the waiting list. You may have a chance is you are #1-5, but even then it is only a chance. Do not rely on this waiting list. Find an alternative school and if they call in the meantime, GREAT!

5 - Talk with Your Child

Once school has started talk to your child. Ask him how school is going? Do you like the teachers? Have you made friends? Your child's responses will give you an indication of how the school is working out. Also, watch your child's behavior. Sometimes a child's behavior changes mildly after being introduced into a new group of children and environment. This is nothing that a good home life and parenting can't handle quickly though. The only cause for concern is drastic negative behavior changes. If this is the case you may want to talk to your child more seriously about what has been going on at school and have a consultation with the teacher. Normally children are good with change and adapt easily.

I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist. I am a child care giver, a child counselor, a mentor, child advisor and an expert on my child, which is simply means I am a MOM! I hope this information will help you find the right school for your child. I didn't know where to start and since I write articles for work I thought it would be great to share what I have learned through this process in the hopes of helping the fellow parents in their quest for the right school for their child.

Nicole Anderson offers information on the $20 Billion in unclaimed money and a free search for your unclaimed money at http://www.cashunclaimed.com Cash Unclaimed has a database that is updated round the clock. It searches over 54 state and federal databases and has Name Match technology to ensure any money owed to you is found. Go to http://www.cashunclaimed.com, for your free search and see how much money is owed to you and your family.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Finding the Right Culinary School for You

Have you ever thought about the possibility of going to culinary school to become a professional chef or start a new career in hospitality management? Maybe you want to go to school just to be a better cook at home? The good news is there are a lot of great schools and colleges in every state to help you accomplish your goals.

Based upon the number of cooking schools opening each year, there must be a lot of folks interested in getting into the culinary world. I recently read an article in our local newspaper about the growth in local culinary schools, and the numbers surprised me. It appears that supermarkets, gourmet stores, local restaurants, colleges, ex-chefs, and just about anyone else who has the room and expertise is putting on an apron and opening a school.

Many of these schools are there for absolute beginners who just want to learn how to boil water and get around in the kitchen without hurting themselves. These classes tend to be more fun where you watch a professional chef prepare a meal and then you get to share it with the rest of the class. It's a good way to meet some interesting people, learn a few culinary tricks, and taste some delicious food.

And then there are schools for home cooks who have some experience but want to build upon their skills and learn some new techniques. These schools tend to have classrooms with individual stations where the students learn by doing. Often these classes will specialize in one particular technique or cooking style.

But what about the individuals who wants to make cooking their career and go back to school for a degree in culinary education? They may want to learn about hospitality management to master the skills needed to run a resort, restaurant, or theme park. Or they may want to become professional chefs and cook in some of the best restaurants in the country.

Lucky for them, there are now more than 500 vocational, college, and university programs scattered around the country with more schools opening each year that offer first-rate educational degrees in this field. The bigger question is: how do you choose the best culinary school for you?

Here are a few steps to help you narrow down the field and simplify your decision:

Step 1 - Figure out what you want to do after you graduate.

Do you want to start a catering company, make pastries and fancy desserts, or how about manage a restaurant? Once you have an idea of what it is that you would like to specialize in, you can limit your search to only those schools that offer the necessary classes.

If you have no idea what you would like to do in the culinary field, be sure to go to a school that offers a number of choices in every field of the industry- sort of like taking a liberal arts' approach.

Step 2 - Determine what's most important to you in a school. Some topics you may want to think about before choosing a school are:

Location

Entry requirements

Length of program and class schedule

Costs and financial aid

Class size and student-to-faculty ratio

Classroom facilities

Class schedules

The school's faculty and reputation

Degrees and accreditations

Externship opportunities

Location and housing

Schools contacts, job placement, and/or internships

Step 3 - Create a list of schools to contact for more information.

You can start with your local yellow pages but if you don't find a school close enough, or one that strikes your fancy, try doing a search on the Internet. Just type in "cooking schools in [your state]", or "culinary schools [your state]", and you will find hundreds of leads to schools worldwide. Type in culinary schools with a city and it will narrow down the field even more.

There is also a listing of top schools listed by state at The Reluctant Gourmet web site. Go to http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/cooking_schools.htm and click on the state of your choice and pick a city of interest.

Once you find a few schools that look promising, read a little about them to see what they have to offer. Most sites will provide a short form that you can fill out for more information. Once you fill out the form and send it back to the school, someone will call you within a day or two to answer your questions, provide you with additional information, and offer to send you some brochures and an application.

Be sure to have a list of questions you want answered when you speak with a school's representative. You might also ask for a list of current students and graduates to contact for their assessment of the school.

This is also a good time to ask about scholarships and what the school has to offer. If financing is going to be an issue, it's better to find out alternatives now rather than wait until you have been accepted. Remember, the school representatives are there to help and most, I've found, don't push too hard--although it is their job to sell you on the school.

Step 4 - Narrow down the field.

Once you look over what the schools have to offer and have spoken with the representatives, start eliminating those that just don't fit in with your needs. Maybe a school is too far, too costly, or just doesn't offer the courses you are interested in taking.

Step 5 - Visit the schools that fit best.

In my opinion, this is one of the most important steps you can do to make sure that you are going to be happy at any cooking school. You want to see the actual classrooms you will be attending, see some of the teachers and students in action, and get a feel for the surroundings to make sure you will fit in.

I once made the mistake of taking a new job on Wall Street with a competitor without ever seeing the offices I'd be working in. Sure the money was better and I thought I would make faster advancement, but when I arrived for my first day of work, I couldn't believe the conditions they wanted me to work in. The office space was old, dirty, and outdated compared to where I was working. I was horrified and only lasted about four months!

So, make sure that the school in which you are thinking of investing your time and money is as good, if not better, than the brochure they send to you.

Step 6 - Apply to your top picks.

After you make your visits, narrow down the field to your top choices and prepare the applications you were sent. Be sure to be neat and complete, and provide the schools with everything they ask you for. If you have any questions about the application, pick up the phone right away and get answers. You don't want to be sending in incomplete forms.

Step 7 - Choose your school.

Once notified by the schools of your acceptance, you can decide which school works best for you. Because you did your homework and followed the steps above, this final choice should be easy.

Be sure to inform the school of your choice that you will be attending, and find out what steps are required to get you enrolled and what you will need to start school.

Although this article was written for those of you interested in going to culinary school, you can follow these same procedures when choosing any continuing education degree. If you think about it, it's just like getting everything prepped and ready to go (mise en place) before starting to prepare a meal.

Copyright © 2005 G. Stephen Jones, The Reluctant Gourmet

G. Stephen Jones created the Reluctant Gourmet back in 1997 as a hobby to assist other novice cooks who may find the art of cooking a little daunting. As an ex-Wall Street broker and Stay-at-Home Dad, he tries to explore cooking from a different perspective.

Visit http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/ for more tips, techniques, recipes and a great listing of culinary schools

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.