By Sandy Hooda
There are a lot of great schools in Gurgaon and it can be tough to decide which one is right for your child. I’ve spent a lot of time visiting schools in India and around the world, and I’ve learned a lot about what to look for in a school. In this article, I’ll share some of my learning with you and hopefully, it will be helpful to you as you make your decision.
Match the strengths of the child to the school
One of the things I’ve learned is that each school has its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to find a school that fits your child’s needs and abilities. For example, if your child is very creative, you might want to look for a school that has a strong arts program. Or, if your child is very athletic, you might want to find a school with a strong sports program.
Visit the school
Another thing I’ve learned is that it’s important to visit the schools you’re considering. You can learn a lot about a school by talking to the teachers and administrators and by seeing the school in person.
School rankings
Culture of the school
There are a lot of different ways to measure the quality of a School, and School Rankings are one way to get a general idea of how a school is performing. However, it’s important to remember that these rankings are usually based on perception, not hard data. So while they can be helpful, they shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when choosing a school for your child.
Other factors that are important to consider include the culture of the school, the learning environment, and how well the school meets your child’s individual needs. To get a better idea of these things, you can talk to other parents, visit the school in person, or read online reviews.
At the end of the day, the best way to choose a school is to find one that you feel will be the best fit for your child. Rankings can be helpful, but they shouldn’t be the only thing you look at.
When touring a school, be sure to take note of the following:
– How people treat each other. This includes staff, students, and parents.
– The level of engagement between teachers and students.
– How well the students seem to be learning.
– Who is doing most of the talking (and the work). This will give you a good indication of who is doing the learning.
-What is the annual staff turnover? (Anything more than 10% is a concern)
-How many teachers are usually absent on any given day? (Any number beyond 5% is a concern)
-How many teachers and students walk in to see the principal without any appointment?
The head of the school sets the tone for the entire school. If the head is unapproachable, it is likely that the staff will be as well. A high staff turnover rate is also a red flag, as it indicates that there may be something wrong with the working conditions or the culture of the school. Absences can also be indicative of a problem, as it suggests that either the teachers are not comfortable coming to work, or the students are not comfortable being in school.
If you’re considering enrolling your child in a private school, it’s important to get a sense of the culture and community from the teachers’ perspective.
Here are some questions to ask teachers during your school visit
-What was the hiring process like?
-How much time do you spend in training?
-Who conducts the training, and what was the expertise of the trainer?
-How often do you meet with the head of school?
-What is your favourite thing about teaching at this school?
-What is the most challenging aspect of teaching at this school?
-How would you describe the student body?
-What kind of support do you receive from parents?
-What kind of feedback do you receive from the administration?
-What kind of opportunities are there for professional development?
-How is the school’s curriculum structured?
-What are your class sizes?
-Are there any unique features or programs that make this school stand out from others?
-Do you have any suggestions of other schools we should consider?
Remember to thank them for their time and insights!
Here are some good questions to ask students during your school visit
-What are you working on and where do you need to improve?
-Are there any bullies in the school and what happens to them?
-Are you able to understand what the teacher is teaching? What happens when you miss something out?
-Which subjects do you not like and the reasons?
-Can you approach your teachers (and head of the school) without any fear?
Summary
One of the most important questions parents need to ask when choosing a school is whether or not the children and teachers are truly happy. It’s important to see if learners know their strengths and weaknesses, and how the school deals with both strengths and weaknesses. By asking these questions, parents can get a better sense of whether or not a particular school is the right fit for their child.
At lunchtime and dispersals, it is important to take note of the interactions between teachers and children. Are they friendly with each other? Do the teachers sit among the children? Are the children fearful or conscious in front of the teachers? Is their behaviour aggressive or assertive? By carefully observing these aspects, you will get a good idea of the general behaviour and atmosphere of the school.
Interior walls of the school can tell you a lot about what the institution focuses on and believes in. For example, schools with colourful walls full of students’ work are generally child-focused and student-centric. This is an important factor to look for, as it can give great insights into the quality of teaching and learning at the school. It also indicates if the school is proud of the children’s work and is celebrating it.
Be concerned with schools that otherwise have very little student work on display, as this could be an indication that the quality of teaching and learning is not up to par. When looking at the interior walls of a school, be sure to pay attention to the following:
The quality of the student work on display
The abundance of student work on display
If the school is celebrating the children’s work and appears proud of it
The above factors can determine whether or not a school is child-focused and student-centric.
There are a lot of great schools in Gurgaon, and each one has its own unique teaching methods and values. It’s important for parents to spend time researching the different options and finding the right fit for their child. We know our children better than anyone else, so we need to make sure we’re choosing a school that will support their individual needs. With all the information available, we can trust our instincts to make the best decision for our kid’s future.
For more information on the above subject, write to us at info@vega.edu.in.