“School choice is one of the most important decisions parents can make for their children … there are so many options, especially in early childhood.” — Janet Hill, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at The Seven Hills School
give parents a picture of how their child will spend their day. “Parents are focused on the whole child,” he says, adding that parents want to know about the teachers, but they also want to know about opportunities in art, music, the outdoors. He also says that he’s starting to notice an increase in questions about nutrition — what kinds of snacks and lunches are served, and what are the school’s policies when it comes to food allergies.
Due Diligence Open houses are great, but visiting a classroom in action is critical, according to Kellenberger, especially with very young children. “You can’t find fit from looking at a screen or a brochure,” he says. At Cincinnati Country Day School, parents bring their tots to a classroom for about 30 minutes, divided into 15 minutes of oneon-one time with a teacher, and 15 minutes of “free time” to let the
child explore. This gives teachers a chance to see how well your child can separate from you, and to see what activities draw his attention. The school also likes to talk with parents about other influences at home, like older siblings, and parenting philosophies to get a better feel for how your family works. “We really believe that this will be a family experience,” says Kellenberger, adding that the school’s most successful students are the ones who are part of a strong relationship between the parents and the school. Interviews of older prospective students aren’t quite “interviews,” according to our sources. Kellenberger says they’re a nonpressure opportunity for kids to talk about how they liked their school visit, and to ask questions of their own. Hill refers to these chats as just an easy conversation to get to know the child. And Schiess says that a meeting with the child is a great opportunity for faculty
and admission staff to learn about the child’s interests and share the school’s programs. “Parents don’t need to prepare their children for these interviews,” she says. “Parents should approach the interview with their children as an exciting learning opportunity.” Your interviews with school administrators are going to be crucial in determining whether a school is right for your child, but mine other sources for information, too. Seek out parents who have children enrolled at the schools you like and get real-world answers to your questions. A number of points of view will help you make a decision. Keep a log of your contact with various schools, know names, be courteous and mindful of timing.
Brass Tactics Annual tuition ranges from about $3,000 for early childhood programs and increase from there for secondary grades. But the good news is that most schools offer
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some form of financial aid or tuition scholarships, and you can explore financing options with them. You’ll want to be mindful of ancillary expenses such as uniforms, laptops, sports equipment, books, supplies and school trip fees when determining costs per year.
Keep It Real A school’s name, recognition and reputation within your community might play a role in your final choice, but it should really only be a small part. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the school where your child’s most comfortable, the school that understands your family’s needs and goals, and also makes you feel like you’re a crucial part in your child’s education. It’s a team effort, after all. J Susan Swindell Day is editor in chief of this publication and a mom of four. Sherry Hang is editor of this publication.
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