Secondary education plays a pivotal role in shaping your child’s future. But choosing a secondary school for your child could be quite a task. And the many amazing and modern schools around the world, like secondary schools in Singapore, don’t make it any easier.
So, how would you know which school is the perfect fit for your child?
Well, there are a few factors to look out for. These five factors make the decision process much easier and leave you with only the top pick.
Let’s discuss.
1. League Table and Guides
A great way to start is to use league tables and guides to see how well the secondary schools in your catchment area perform against one another.
The league table ranks secondary schools based on the available facilities, academic performance, and the student-teacher ratio. On its own, these records are not enough to help you make an informed decision. However, they help lay the foundation for building a solid shortlisting process.
Also, bear in mind that these rankings are usually subjective and only partially reliable. Records will vary based on the league table you read.
But a school that maintains a certain rank across these league tables makes a better choice than one that goes up and down.
2. Personal Values and Preferences
Do your values align with those of the school?
Visit the school to see how children interact with their teachers and peers. Get to know if your child’s needs will be welcomed on school grounds.
You can also pay attention to other details that determine whether the school is a perfect fit. For example, do you want your child in school uniforms? What are extracurricular activities like? Does the school prioritize attendance? Do you want your child in a boarding house?
These questions will help you tick some boxes when choosing the right school for your child.
3. Proximity
Can you keep up with the extra commitment schooling in a distant location brings? The significant change in your morning routine and the additional cost of taking your child to school? Or will you consider other options like public transportation?
Your child’s proximity is crucial if you have a busy schedule. You have to consider the travel time, convenience, and safety of your child as they commute to and back from school.
4. Cost
Your child’s tuition is also another decisive factor in choosing the right school for them. Think long-term. Can you keep up with this financial commitment until your child graduates?
Consider public schools if private schools are too expensive. Sending them to a school you can afford is better than having them switch schools halfway or incurring debt.
If you want your child to attend a private school, you should apply for financial aid or a scholarship. Many private schools offer these funding systems to help parents offset the tuition cost.
5. Your Child’s Satisfaction
Choosing a secondary school isn’t a parent-only decision. After all, your child is the one who has to attend that school for several years.
When you have built your shortlist based on the above factors, run the available options by them. Their opinion matters too.
Have an open discussion and make that decision together. Your child will be more interested in attending school when they have a say in selecting one.
Conclusion
If you’ve come this far, you should already know how to choose a secondary school for your child. We trust that you’ll make the right decision when the time is right.
