Choosing the Right School You gently hold your newborn in your arms while friends look on adorningly. He sleeps peacefully with not a worry in the world. You are relishing in the moment. Then one of your overachieving friends asks the inevitable question, "Do you have your baby on the waiting list yet for kindergarten?" The thought not only throws a dose of reality on the moment but also sends anxiety through your body. You only have 4 years to earn him a spot at the school you'd like him to attend one day. It won't be the last time you worry about education. Welcome to motherhood. In some parts of the country, mothers are spared the stressful experience of education and waiting lists. If you fall into this category, you should count your blessings. But if you are like many moms, getting into your first choice school, whether private or public, can seem like a life-changing event. One day you are trying to decide on the color of sippy-cup to buy, the next you are comparing class size ratios. Education is probably the biggest decision, other than health issues, that you will make for your child. It's never too early to begin thinking about. But selecting the right school for your child doesn't have to be a long and difficult process. We've assembled some issues you might want to explore prior to beginning your search. Compile a list of schools Write down those elements of education you feel are important: Consider everything from the diversity of the student population to the education credentials of the teachers. Is the age of the physical facility important to you? Are sport's teams a requirement? Uniforms or no uniforms? Does the school offer aftercare to facilitate your schedule? Are they accredited? Public or Private: This question touches on a lot of issues, budget, politics, personal history, and location. Your success professionally may eliminate the budget issues associated with the decision. So often the question is "which private school delivers the most value for the money?" Many public school systems offer magnet programs and curriculum designed to foster a certain subject or professional interest. These schools may have funding not available in a private school. Teaching style: The days of neat rows of desks with a teacher at the front of the class are gone. Spend a little time researching the teaching methodologies used in today schools. Learning centers, home schooling, Montessori will all come up researching the topic. Although home schooling is growing in popularity, it probably isn't the method of choice for a working mother. Consider a delivery system you can support when it comes to classroom involvement and homework. Is there something specific you want your child to get at school? In most cases this relates to religion. If it's important to you that your child takes catechism classes during the week, then Parochial schools should be at the top of your list. Beyond religious education, if music is important to you, put it on your list of qualifiers and look for a school with a band and music department. If you share a dream for you son to be the next Ken Griffey Jr, you should consider schools with organized sports. Narrow down your list Visit the school: Once your list is made, visit schools that appear to meet your qualifications. It's never too early to take a tour. Many schools offer open houses for new students in early February or March. Make sure you inquire about registration deadlines, student testing and acceptance policies. Talk to other parents: You'll soon find out that no school is perfect. It seems that every parent regardless of how successful his/her child is in school has had some situation that gives the school less than perfect marks in their mind. Speak with parents who presently have children attending the school in question as well as parents of alumni. Ask about the level of involvement you may have in the classroom, the success rate of students after graduation, required volunteer hours on the part of students and parents, extracurricular activates, teacher/child ratios and the general environment of the school. Don't assume acceptance: If you live in an area where school enrollment is competitive, consider alternatives even if you feel strong about your first choice school. It isn't unheard of that a large donor or long-time church member has been rejected from a school due to unforeseen circumstances. You may also find out that your child's personality, learning level or skills don't fit the environment of the school you've selected for him. Your child must feel as comfortable with your decision as you do to be successful in his education. Regardless of the decision you make in selecting your child's school, researchers have identified one factor constant in students who do well in school. The success of a student is directly proportional to the involvement level of the student's parent in his/her education. You may choose the best school money can buy but if you do not stay connected with teachers, professors and your child, he will not gain the full benefit of your decision.