The decision to send your child to private school is one that can take time and a lot of debate. Once you have decided that a private school is a way you want to go, the next step is to choose the school. You may be wondering, “How do I get started finding a private school for my child?” The gravity of this decision can make the entire process feel overwhelming. Fortunately, it is a task that you can handle as long as you break it down into manageable steps.

Look local

The first and easiest step of finding a private school for your child is to look local. If you want to remain in California and send your child to school in California, then there is no reason to explore private schools on the east coast. Narrow down the geographical area where you are willing to have your child go to school. Narrowing down the geographical area will naturally reduce the number of options, and too many options will make the process drag on longer. Once you decide on the area, you can quickly put together a list of all the private schools that are available.

Think about your own educational philosophy

Part of finding the right private school for your child is exploring your own educational philosophy. What do you believe about the role of education? What are your beliefs about how children learn? What type of learning environment do you want for your child? These questions and others like them will help you get a firm grasp on your own educational philosophy. You can then use that knowledge to find a private school that aligns with your beliefs about education.

Consider the needs of your child

The needs of your child will come into play as you search for a private school. Class size, the layout of the classroom, and the design of the curriculum are all elements that should meet the needs of your child. Will your child thrive in a classroom with a small student to teacher ratio? Does your child need the space to move around in the classroom? Does your child need a specific type of curriculum to thrive? The answers to these questions will give you a basic outline of the type of program that will meet your child’s needs.

Looking at the three elements outlined above will help you get started on the process of finding a private school for your child. Looking local will help you narrow the list to a manageable number. Thinking about your own educational philosophy and comparing it to the various programs will help you knock even more off the list. Considering the needs of your child will help you determine which programs will be a good fit. The final step is to visit the schools on your shortlist and observe a class. Observing a class and visiting campus will help you choose the right private school for your child.