The Real Deal

Do some homework before choosing

One of the most important decisions every parent makes is choosing the best school to meet their child's needs. Parents often use test scores as a way of ranking schools and while it is a good indicator, it is not the only criterion a parent should consider. Since test scores are often a reflection of the socio-economic level of the community in which the school is located, they may not entirely reflect the quality of instruction. A single test score won't tell you about the climate of the school, the curricula, the teaching staff, what enrichment programs are available, or whether the facilities are in good condition or not.

Taking a number of different criteria into consideration is essential when investigating schools. Test scores may give you a starting point, but don't stop there. For one thing, your child's strengths and weaknesses are an important part of the equation. Knowing what your child requires will help you determine what to look for when you begin the selection process. School size and classroom size might be an issue if your child needs a more nurturing environment. Perhaps your child could benefit from gifted and talented programs or has special needs in other areas. Keep in mind there are many teaching and learning styles that may be different from the ones used when you were in school.

First you will need to focus on the area where you would like to live. A Realtor can help you define what characteristics are important to you, such as the style of home, neighborhood amenities and commute time. Most importantly, Realtors can provide information on the cost of homes in the area and which school districts serve which neighborhoods

In California, schools are required to issue annual school accountability report cards available to the public for review. These documents will give you some information about the schools, while individual school websites are also a good source for gathering information.

When you narrow down your choices, you may want to schedule a visit to the school to see if it is a good fit for your child. You will want to ask several questions. How qualified are teachers and staff? What kind of services are available on the school site? What special programs are offered to students? What is the school's philosophy and mission? What academic standards are expected and how are they measured? School safety and environment are important considerations, as well as parent participation and community involvement. Talking to parents or members of the PTA will also give you a valuable perspective.

Realtors are also a good resource for school information, so be sure to ask your real estate agent what schools are considered desirable and for what reasons.

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Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. Send questions on any topic to: Ask Your Realtor, c/o SILVAR, Los Altos District, 345 San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA, 94022; call 650.949.9115; or send email to ppompei@siliconvalley-realtors.org.

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