How to choose the best school for your child
ALL schools — free or with fees — provide an education.
They will all have a curriculum designed to meet essential learning standards for each year level and prepare students for successful completion of year 12.
However, there are differences between the private and public systems, and individual schools, when it comes to costs, class sizes, core values, facilities and resources, as well as the extra-curricular activities on offer.
It’s often these aspects of schools that parents are keen to compare when making a decision about which school best suits their child and their family.
ARE the school’s values a good fit with your own? Shared values, whether religious or relating to areas such as discipline and dress standard, will often translate to families getting “a good feeling” about a particular school.
WHAT is your impression of older students you have met who are at the end of their time at the school or who have passed through the school?
IS this a school which will cater for, encourage and expand your child's individual abilities and interests?
IS this an environment in which you can see them and they can picture themselves as thriving and happy? Remember, it is your child and not you who will be attending the school five days a week for the next six years, so take their feelings into account.
WHAT are the costs? Don’t just ask about annual fees but also year level camp costs, building fund levies and any private bus fees (if applicable).
HOW broad is the school’s curriculum? Compare years 9 and 10 subject and elective choices for an indication.
DOES the school offer an alternative to VCE? It can be devastating for students to have to move schools in their last couple of years if they are unable to meet the academic requirements of VCE and their school does not offer alternatives such as VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) and VET (Vocational Education and Training).
WHAT extra-curricular activities are on offer? Ask about sport, music, debating and other programs.
WHAT demands does the school make on students beyond 9am to 3.30pm? Some private schools have compulsory after-school and Saturday sport.
WHAT is the average class size?
WHAT learning support is available for struggling and advanced students?