As any parent knows, finding the best education setting for your child to flourish, both academically and socially, is key from the moment they’re ready to attend pre-school to the time they start to look for the finest further education setting.
If you are currently in this position as a parent, then you’ll know that the importance of finding the right fit for your child is something not to be taken lightly, and if you have the added complication of living in a new part of the world, then your search may just be that little bit harder.
When moving to a new place, you’ll have a lot of adjustments to make relating to work, lifestyle, schools, and so much more, and while all can prove to be a challenge at times, one that you cannot afford to get wrong is your child’s school.
There are number of factors to consider, and the process isn’t one you can take quickly. A lot of research will need to be undertaken to find the right fit for your child’s individual requirements, while also being suitable for the whole family, but you’ll be reassured to learn that there is help out there for any parent in this position.
You could start by using Nearindex to find schools in the new area you are moving to. The site will show you a list of schools in your new area, from pre-school to kindergarten, high school to colleges. For example, say you have kids in kindergarten, Nearindex can help you locate the best kindergarten schools near me in just a single search.
What to take into account when moving and changing schools?
You will need to consider what will work best for you and your family while moving, including location, home characteristics, school districts, affordability, etc. You’ll need to evaluate your needs, preferences, goals, and budget to make informed decisions about your move and the area where you’ll live.
The following are the things you need to find out before enrolling your children in a new school:
Identify the requirements of your child
You should consider your child’s skills, interests, and learning style while choosing the school that will be the best fit for them. Different environments are better for different children’s requirements and development. It’s a good idea to start with the following:
- Will your child feel more at ease at a big or small school? How big is the class?
- Do they prefer to be more independent and learn at their own pace, or do they thrive in a controlled learning setting with precise rules, rigid schedules, and firm discipline?
- Do your child’s needs for special education services or programmes like gifted learning, language immersion, or mentoring have to be met through special arrangements?
- What topics are your child interested in? Are you looking for a school emphasizing the humanities, the arts, languages, technology, or science?
- What hobbies does your child have outside of school (sports, music, theatre, art, etc.)? How significant are these pursuits for your child?
- Your child needs a curriculum that will prepare them for college if they wish to attend. It would be ideal to locate a vocational school that provides career-focused courses and hands-on training, whether they favour a trade or technical skill.
Organise your home needs, your family’s needs, and your wishes regarding school
When focuses on education first, you will discover a great school before beginning the search for a home in the area, however, families are more likely to relocate for a specific reason (beautiful house, pleasant neighbourhood, proximity to business, etc.) before looking for the finest school in the region.
If you want your child to attend a private school with boarding or you are looking to build a home near to a school then this will be easier, but if you want your child to attend a public educational setting, school boundaries will significantly affect where you choose to live.
You must carefully balance your needs and desires to avoid enrolling your child in a top school only to discover that you cannot find the right property fit for you nearby or purchasing a great home only to find out that there are no good schools nearby.
Finally, you should consider commute hours and transportation choices because your child could need transportation to and from school, your desired school district might be quite a distance from your place of employment, etc.
Choose the ideal moving date
It will be much simpler to switch schools during the summer break, and your child will be able to start the new school year in their new school, so if you have the freedom to pick when you move, the summer months are your best option. It will make a move simpler because your child will already be accustomed to their new environment and way of life. They may even make friends with some of their new classmates during the summer.
The ideal age to switch schools depends on your child’s age, attitude toward the change, and several other considerations (participation in school events, extracurricular activities, etc). You must discuss the best course of action with your child so that they feel well adjusted to any changes coming their way.
Consulting real estate agent
When looking for a new school for your children, real estate agents should be your first point of inquiry. They will be able to give details on the neighbourhoods you’ve chosen, such as the options for public or private schools your kids can attend. Think about the distance to the school you want your kids to attend and the school’s options for pick-up or school buses.
Online directories of schools
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential schools, head online and find out everything you need to know to compile your shortlist. Compare the schools you’ve investigated and compile a list of questions you want answered when enquiring further. Learn how the school performed in recent general exams and other globally recognized academic and non-academic competitions. Then you can make a visit with your child and find out which will be the best fit for them to succeed.
