List your child’s educational needs and forecast any foreseeable changes in his educational requirements. For example, if your child is severely dyslexic or suffers from autism, he will require different teaching experiences than a child suffering from a physical handicap. Making your child’s needs the determining factor in your choice of Austin’s private schools is a vital component to his academic progress.
Access the Internet and narrow down your choice of Austin’s best private schools by eliminating those listings that do not cater to the specific educational needs your child may have by virtue of medical, psychological or emotional conditions.
List your expectations of the child’s future school. For example, this is the time to differentiate schools offering extensive arts and music programs from those with a decidedly athletic focus or a curriculum rich in foreign language courses (such as are offered by the Austin International School at 12001 Oak Knoll Drive that focuses on the French and Spanish languages). Reflect on your feelings with regard to a coed school setting versus one that is sorted by gender, and consider taking a close look at the Girls School at 2007 McCall Road.
Decide if you are seeking a private school affiliated with a certain faith that will promote religious instruction. Keep a close eye on the grades covered, since there are marked differences. Sacred Heart Catholic School at 5911 Reicher Drive, for example, will accept students from preschool through and including the 6th grade, while St. Mary’s Cathedral School on 910 San Jacinto Boulevard goes all the way through 8th grade, effectively covering middle schools as well as elementary school. This is an important consideration when thinking of your child’s spiritual growth.
Check out the Austin Waldorf School at 8700 South View Road if you are thinking of sending your child to a Waldorf school.
Use the Internet to whittle down the list of Austin’s premier private schools further to suit your expectations based on your program preferences.
Telephone the offices of the remaining private schools in the Austin area and inquire about tuition and associated fees. Be prepared to pay additional funds for extracurricular activities as well as before or after school care.
Set up an appointment with the schools that fit your budget.
Tour the schools and look for cleanliness, functioning playground equipment, bathrooms and classrooms that are in good repair, and also up to date security measures.
Check for bugs, especially in the cafeteria. Since Austin is known for its humidity and high temperatures, cockroaches and ant infestations are common but in a private school that values its reputation, they should not be found in the cafeteria or kitchen.
Request information from the administrator about the teacher to student ratio, the background checks undertaken on the staff and the length of service the teaching staff ordinarily holds with the school. Also find out about any affiliations with private school organizations and accreditations with the governing bodies overseeing private institutions of learning.
Ask about high schools and gifted or exceptional academic programs that students graduating from the private Austin schools you are visiting usually attend. If you are searching for a private high school, find out whether it has close academic ties with any particular college or university in town and out of town.
Evaluate the information you have received during your visits. Decide which of the schools are located near your home, place of employment, or in the vicinity of an after school caregiver. Remember that you need to be able to take your child to the school in the morning and pick her up in the afternoon; making this twice a day trek should not be a very time consuming effort!
Narrow down the list of private schools further until you have found your top three of Austin’s best private schools. Set up another appointment with the schools and ask to speak with the principals at this time. Bring your child along to help him get a feel for the schools and also for the interactions between teachers and students.
Discuss attendance requirements and share your child’s prior academic record. The best private school in Austin is the one that meets your needs, wants, and is affordable and within a reasonable traveling distance.