Choosing a high school for one’s kids can be daunting. After all, high schools play a huge role in shaping their personal and professional lives. It’s important to know that although there may be several high schools that one has in mind, not all can fit the specific needs. Doing thorough research, making personal school visits, and applying outside the assigned district can help shortlist the best and most suitable high school.

Define the child’s needs
As is well known, children have different needs as they grow up. Some children can easily focus and retain academic information, while others may be more athletically gifted. Some kids may be inherently good at various creative arts. Thus, some children tend to work well in a structured, rigid learning environment, while others thrive in environments where students proactively drive the learning process. When parents search for the best high school nearby to where they reside, they need to look at each institution’s curriculum, disciplinary policies, and overall attitude toward the students to determine whether it will be a good fit for their child.

Consider the average class size
From a learner’s perspective, one of the most critical aspects of any school is the strength of any class in a school. The average class size affects the student-to-teacher ratio in a school. This ratio is a key metric that determines how many students are in any class per teacher. A school with a small student-to-teacher ratio is better for a student’s learning and development as, in such classes, teachers will be able to provide personal attention to each student. The same may not be a possibility in overcrowded classes, and the students may not get a chance to clear their doubts or grasp the concepts taught to them. They may also miss out on the opportunity to communicate directly, person-to-person, with their teacher.

Check the academic programs
All parents want their kids to receive the highest quality of education available. Therefore, in many instances, the criticality of selecting schools for one’s children boils down to the academic programs the school offers. An indicator of a good school is the number of enrollment programs it offers for students to earn college credits while they are still in high school. These credits help students gain a head start in their college life in multiple ways. For instance, students with pre-accumulated college credits can skip certain general classes in college and get a leg up if they want to get a double major and graduate early. Students who graduate a semester or even a year early can save the tuition and other related expenses that others would incur during that period. All in all, schools which offer the most (or the best) academic and placement programs must be high on parents’ priority lists while hunting for institutes.

Here is a short checklist of questions parents can ask to determine the above:
What electives are available?
Are there any unique classes that cannot be found in another school?
What are the necessary courses required to graduate?
What are the advanced classes available?
Does the school offer AP classes or assistance?
Are there any opportunities or programs that encourage independent writing or research?

Consider the extracurricular activities being offered
While academic understanding is essential for a student’s growth, so are their extracurricular skills. Suppose a school offers multiple sporting programs, creative art communities, and similar programs. In that case, it may offer one’s child more opportunities for holistic growth than an institute that focuses only on academic performance. This is why it is vital to note a potential school’s range of extracurricular activities for students. This includes checking the kinds of clubs, sports teams, and communities that align with one’s needs and choices.

However, there are more reasons for parents to look into this facet of high schools. Many colleges take extracurricular activities into account when certain eligible students are tied on points during their evaluation for admission. So, if a college has only one seat and two candidates, the board will typically give extracurricular participation a lot of importance too.

Checking the school’s diversity
Parents need to consider the diversity factor of a school to understand how the authorities demonstrate sensitivity to cultural issues and how they teach their students about race and racism. Certain schools are more proactive about making an inclusive, safe atmosphere for all students, which goes a long way in making the student feel welcome and get settled in faster.

Ensuring that the school has an accomplished faculty
Parents can learn about a school’s faculty from their website or the admission brochure. They need to check whether the professors teaching in a high school are experienced and accomplished in their jobs or not. A good faculty is key to a student’s development. Conversely, an inexperienced teacher can be detrimental to how the students learn and have a negative impact on their future on multiple fronts.

Note if the schools conduct several retreats/learning camps
Retreats and learning camps focus on facilitating team building and camaraderie among students and school administrators too. Such events help break the ice and build values in students that will be useful when they step into their adult life.

Finally, it is vital to note factors like the distance from the high school to the home, so students don’t waste valuable hours commuting to and fro. It is best to start by looking at high schools nearby and then cast a wider circle if that doesn’t work out.