Contrary to popular belief, private middle schools are relatively affordable. Sydney’s average tuition is just over $35,000 a year, and some schools offer financial aid.
Middle school is a great opportunity to help your child develop strong social skills and important academic foundations. Searching “private middle schools near me” is a big step in finding the right school for you and your child.
If you find an institution with a strong academic foundation, a great teacher-to-student ratio, and a fun atmosphere, your child will enjoy learning and be a little happier. Here are some tips on choosing a school to help your child thrive.
Social Media
While you can’t know everything about a school just by looking at its website, you’ll get a good feel for its philosophy and culture. You can learn more about the school’s mission statement, goals, and expectations.
The Facebook page is where parents usually post pictures of their kids having fun or share updates on upcoming events.
The Twitter feed is also a great place to see what’s happening at the school in real time. Most private schools have public Twitter accounts that announce news about admissions or new programs.
Visit the School
Visit the private school to see whether your child would be comfortable there. The facilities should be clean, and the classrooms should have things that make them fun learning spaces. Teachers should be friendly but serious about their professional responsibilities.
The principal should also be approachable. You don’t want a principal who seems distant from parents’ concerns.
Student Body
Ask about the size of the student body. If you’re looking for a more intimate learning environment, knowing how many students are in attendance is important.
Some private schools can have as few as 20 students, while others may have over 1,000. A larger school will offer more opportunities for your child, such as more electives and extracurricular classes. However, there will be less individual attention and support from the school’s faculty.
Smaller private schools focus on one-on-one learning experiences. But they may offer fewer classes or activities.
Extracurricular Activities
These programs can help students develop skills that will be useful later in life, like teamwork and leadership. They can also help children cultivate a sense of community as they learn how to interact with other kids their age or even older kids.
Find out if the school has a sports team, an art program, or other activities. You can also ask your child what they like to do and see if the private school offers any of those things.
History
A good school will have been around for at least a few years and perhaps more than a decade. You want to ensure you’re dealing with an established organization that knows what it’s doing before bringing your child into the fold.
Exam Performance
A good private school will show you its average scores on the Naplan tests, SATs, ACTs, or IB exams. The results are important because they show how well the school has prepared its children for their future studies.
You can even do a Naplan practice test here to see how your child would perform in the real exam. You can use these results as a benchmark for comparison when you’re out shopping for a private school. Select a school whose students get similar or better grades on average.
Student-to-Teacher Ratio
The average private school has about 13 students per teacher. If you’re shopping for a school and see a much higher number, reconsider. Teachers with larger class sizes are more likely to feel overwhelmed, which can affect their performance in the classroom.
If you have a choice between two private schools with similar curricula and test scores, pick the one with fewer students per teacher.
Lunch Options
The school should have a nutrition plan to help your child make healthy choices. Parents are usually welcome to bring lunch for their children, but some schools don’t allow it. If you want your child to bring lunch from home, find out if that’s permitted before enrolling them in the school.
Most private middle schools either have their cafeteria or contract with a nearby restaurant. You’ll want to ensure that your child’s favourite dishes are available at least once every week or two.
If your child has food allergies or other dietary restrictions, ask if the school’s cafeteria can accommodate them. Make sure everyone who works in the kitchen knows these needs and follows strict safety procedures when handling food items.
Safety
If you’re concerned about your child’s safety, find out what the school’s policies are regarding bullying and harassment. Ask if they plan to deal with these issues and what steps you can take if they’re not handled well.
Private Middle Schools Near Me: Choose the Best School for Your Kid
Middle school can be a stressful experience. You might worry about your child’s academics, social life, and emotional health.
Whatever the source of your stress, it’s important to find a school to help your child succeed during this transitional period. A 15-minute search for “private middle schools near me” on Google won’t cut it. You need to research various programs and schools before finding one that suits your child’s unique needs.
Our education section provides the information you need to make informed decisions about learning and choosing a school for your child. Check it out for more insight and inspiration.
