Finding the Right School District
Your child’s future and education are the greatest investments a family will make. Choosing the school district that best fits your family and child’s needs is no easy task, and there are a lot of things to consider.
Type of School
The first decision to be made regarding school districts is the type of school you want your child to attend- public, private, charter or faith-based. Factors like school size, curriculum, community engagement and demographics can inform this decision.
When looking at private and charter schools, consider tuition, payment plans and other possible fees that you may pay. Also check what loans and scholarships are available and the admittance requirements the school has.
School size is also an important factor to assess. If you want your child in a smaller, like-minded community, a private or faith-based school might be best. If you want your child immersed in a diverse, inclusive environment, regardless of population size, a traditional public school is a good option.
Some charter and private schools serve students from K-12th grade. Parents should give careful thought to this, as an extensive age gap may not be appealing to all families. For more traditional age gaps, public schools typically offer K-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-13th grade schooling.
Location
Location plays a major role in where your child attends school. It is important to consider the distance from the school to your home and/or office and how your child will get to school. If taking your child to and from school isn’t feasible for your family, look into schools with bussing systems in your neighborhood or schools that bus to local childcares. If you wish to live near your child’s school, look into communities where you wouldn’t mind buying or building a home.
The community safety of the school is also important to assess. Finding a school in a safe part of town is important, and if that’s difficult, choosing a school with tight security is another option.
The school districts location also affects the diversity and demographics of the school. Placing your child in a diverse environment is important, so picking a location with a diverse community will prove beneficial.
Awards, Reviews, Ratings, Test Scores
Reviewing each school district’s ratings, reviews and awards will give you insight on the success of their students.
Standardized test scores are a good way to check a school district’s teaching effectiveness. When reviewing standardized test results, it’s vital to consider the school’s demographics and how that plays a role.
Websites, like Niche, provide detailed reviews of schools based on diversity, college prep, teachers, size sports and STEM and arts success. The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) is also a good resource for parents. NMPED grades each New Mexican school annually and publishes a map with school grades between A and F.
Parents should also consider online reviews and teachers’ attitudes of each school. If teachers are unsatisfied with the school, children are less likely to succeed. Happy teachers are far more effective. The community’s attitude towards the school is also important to consider. Looking into teacher evaluations and reviews is beneficial.
Learning Approach
It’s important to evaluate the teaching styles and approaches of each school, as you want your child in a learning environment that’s a good fit for them. Consider the amount of individual attention your child needs, whether they need a more structured or laid-back environment, if the school meets any special learning requirements your child may have and how each school accommodates different learning styles.
Curriculum is typically standard across public schools, but if you’re interested in non-traditional schooling, differences in curriculum are important to review.
Other Important Factors
Other important factors to consider include behavior policies, disciplinary policies, student expectations, school culture, school leadership, extracurricular activities and afterschool programs. Parents should also assess class sizes, student-to-teacher ratios, parents/community involvement, safety procedures, campus upkeep and maintenance and where their child’s friends are.
