Confirm that the schools you are considering are fully accredited by doing a Web search at the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Contact recent graduates and ask them about their experiences. You can contact the school's alumni registry, or search out recent grads on Facebook.
Research the instructors currently working at the school. What sort of restaurant experience do they have? Have they published any cookbooks? How long have they been teaching?
Inquire about kitchen amenities. Ask an admissions representative at the cooking school when the kitchens were last upgraded, what types of kitchen equipment are used, and if there are opportunities to use speciality equipment, such as Chinese-style kitchens with wok stations.
Find out what the average job placement rates are, post graduation. Admissions representatives can provide you with this advice if it isn't listed online.