Questions To Ask When Choosing an Elementary School
In the past, deciding where a child went to school was as easy as looking at a map. Pre-drawn school districts took all of the legwork out of the process and, thus, all of the choice. Luckily, the educational landscape is changing, and private in-person schools and virtual learning are becoming more commonplace. This allows parents to do reseach and ask questions before deciding who to entrust their children’s education with and where their children learn.
And that’s a good thing, but it can be daunting! Choosing the right elementary school lays the foundation for your child’s educational journey. That’s why it’s important to know what questions you need to ask to make the best decisions for your family.
What is the School’s Learning Philosophy?
Asking this question will give you a better understanding of how your child will be taught and nurtured. This goes beyond whether the school follows things like the Montessori Method or the Reggio Emilia or Waldorf approaches. If your child is performing above grade level, you’ll want them to be at a school that can adapt assignments to challenge them more. If your child has a learning disability, you’ll want to be at a school with learning specialists and teachers trained to work with them.
For instance, the MUSE Global School curriculum is built on our Passion-Based Learning model. Our students choose a different passion project every year and filter their academics through that lens. They then work on a final project – called a Culmination – to show off what they’ve learned through their chosen passion. We believe this helps students learn by connecting them to the content in a deeper, more meaningful way.
How is Social-Emotional Development Handled?
Learning is more than just academics. You also want to know how the elementary school supports your child’s development as a person. This includes learning how the school handles behavior problems. You want to be sure that your child attends a school that aligns with your beliefs as a parent.
At MUSE Global School, we emphasize teaching our students how to excel in every area of their lives. The Five Pillars that form the foundation of MUSE include self-efficacy, which is the belief in their ability to succeed, and communication. All of our students are well-trained in the Process Communication Model, which teaches them to observe and understand their behavior, understand the behavior of others, and analyze conflict and miscommunication to find a resolution.
What Other Programs are Available?
Children need to be able to embrace the things they enjoy to truly get the most out of their educational experience. Whether they’re a natural-born performer, an athlete, or an artist, be sure to check on the status of these programs. You’ll also want to know how much practice time is needed for these programs to understand better how it might affect your child’s studies.
Our Specialist Programs are something we’re very proud of at MUSE Global School. Our elementary school students have access to gardening and cooking classes, visual arts, music and performing arts, and more! Our middle and high school students can access even more electives, including coding, creative writing, and storytelling. They can also participate in our Human Rights program, which allows them to participate in two service learning trips per year. Their most recent trip was to Guatemala to work with Mending Kids!
How do Parents get Involved?
If you’re looking to find a school with a strong sense of community, be sure to ask how parents can get involved. Do they have an active PTA? Can they volunteer in the classroom? What activities would you be participating in if you were able to volunteer? If this is an important factor, be sure to find a school that encourages parental involvement.
At MUSE Global School, we love our parents as much as we love our kids. We offer regular get-togethers for our parents to meet teachers, staff, and other parents, and we also offer regular Parent Workshops and on-campus or virtual events! We’re here to educate ALL of our MUSE Global School family, not just the students.
What Makes the School Stand Out?
Whether it’s a specific program, philosophy, or something else entirely, many schools are well-known for a specific thing. It’s important to understand what that one thing is for the school you’re interested in. Ensure it fits your student’s needs, strengths, and personality.
Are you interested in what makes MUSE Global School stand out? We’d love to hear from you! Just fill out THIS form and ask whatever questions you have. And when you’re ready to join the MUSE family, click HERE to apply.
