The school you choose for your child can have an impact on your entire family. The logistics of getting to the school, the potential financial burden, and the education your child receives are all factors that are important to consider when you ask yourself if a certain school is a good fit for your family. Many families who choose private schools do so after careful thought. The reality is that you should carefully consider whether or not private education is a good fit for your family. Factors to consider are your goals for your child’s education, enrichment opportunities you want your child to have, the classroom environment your child needs, and the logistics related to sending your child to a private program.

Your goals for your child’s education

What are your goals for your child’s education? The answer to that question can help guide you as you consider what type of program to choose. The overarching goal of a school or educational philosophy will impact everything from the size of the classroom to the design of the curriculum. You need to be clear on your own goals for your child’s education in order to make an informed decision about the type of school your child should attend. Getting clear on what you want for your child’s education will help you narrow down the school options and choose the one that is right for your family. Private programs have more freedom when it comes to implementing various elements to their programs. As you consider a private education, you will find that they can be very different from one another. Take your time and really dig into the details of each program before you make a final decision.

Enrichment opportunities to which you want your child to have access

Another factor to consider in your search for the right school for your child and family is the enrichment opportunities that are available. Quality education is about more than learning the basics. You also want your child to have access to enrichment opportunities such as music, art, gardening, and language. As mentioned above, private schools have a lot of freedom when it comes to curriculum. This means that private programs can offer a wide range of enrichment programs. The types of programs available in private schools can make a school stand out to you. For example, if you want your child to learn Mandarin, you can find a private program that offers Mandarin immersion. Think about the things you want your child to be exposed to and the opportunities you want him or her to have and compare that with the enrichment opportunities at the schools you are considering.

Logistics related to sending your child to a private program

In order to make a decision that works for your whole family, you also need to consider the logistics related to sending your child to a private program. Is there a private school nearby that meets your criteria? Will you have to make adjustments to your normal routine to make sure your child can get to the private school you choose? Can you fit the cost of attending private school into your household budget? Does the program you are considering offer flexible options for paying tuition? These and other questions are important to ask because they will have an impact on your family.

There are a number of different options for private school. You can choose one based off of criteria such as your educational philosophy, enrichment opportunities, and the logistics of making the program work for your family. As you look at the private school options in the Bay Area, be sure and explore the options available at Fountainhead Montessori School.