It can be difficult to know where to start when you are trying to find a private school for your child. There are a lot of options and each one offers something different. How do you determine which private school is the best fit for your child? Your first step in the process is practical – start with logistics. The next two steps involve thinking about your own view on learning and what your child needs. Going through the process outlined below will help you make a decision that you feel confident making.

Start with logistics

You need to start with logistics as you try and find a private school that is a good fit for your child. Look at the private programs that are close to your home and/or work. You will have to find a way to get your child to and from school each day. If the school is far away, commuting will eat into your time during the day and add stress that you do not need. A quick online search will provide you with information about the private schools that are in your area. If you are in the Bay Area, Fountainhead Montessori School has multiple locations from which to choose.

Explore your own beliefs about learning and education

The next step in the process of finding the right private school for your child is to think about your own beliefs regarding learning and education. It is important to find a private school that aligns with what you believe about education. Doing this will ensure that your child gets an education that is consistent with your values, beliefs, and understanding about learning and the purpose of education.

Think about your child’s individual needs

It is also important to think about your child’s individual needs. What type of environment will work best for your child? For example, Montessori education provides hands-on and independent learning opportunities to students. Students in the Montessori classroom each receive individualized learning plans based on their needs. Take some time to consider what your child needs in a school, classroom, and from the teacher.

This process of finding the right private school for your child will start with a list of private schools based on location. You will then narrow down that list by finding the programs with an educational philosophy that aligns with your own. As you dig deeper into the details of each program, keep your child’s needs in mind. Once you have a short list of private school options, the final step is to do a class observation at each program you are considering. The information you gather from this process will help you determine which private school is the best fit for your child.