Top 10 factors smart parents seek in a private school.

Prior to my current position at Village Christian Schools, I researched 810 schools in three counties before selecting Village Christian for my five-year-old daughter. With nearly 20 years of experience as an administrator of educational programs and with information science credentials, I viewed

Because of that research, this article is provided as a public service to help parents sift through the strategic communications crafted by the many schools available. In addition to this article, readers are invited to the Village Christian Open House on Saturday, November 6, and may call 818/767-8382 for details.

Sources of information about schools range from advertisements to Open House presentations to random opinion. In the San Fernando Valley, the options are numerous, so smart shopping is a must.

Here are ten areas to explore:

School Leadership: Strong school leadership results from proven experience. Ask how many years the top administrator at the school has served that school and about the lessons learned along the way. A clear philosophy should be stated at the top and demonstrated through all facets of school life. External awards, such as the National No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School Award and CIF athletic championships, are strong signs that the leadership is effective.

Curriculum: Sound curriculum is research-based and capable of yielding competitive results. Be concerned if curriculum was selected for any of the following reasons:

* It requires minimal teacher training

* It is the least expensive

* It is what other schools are required to use

* It is selected due to popularity rather than its track record

Faculty: Credentials are valuable but they do not necessarily translate into quality teaching. Ask about the teacher retention rate, professional development of teachers, whether teachers have classroom assistance, whether parents may help in the classroom, etc.

Services: Are registered nurses on site everyday? Is lunch cooked on-site or is it delivered? Is it a closed campus? How are crises handled? Is transportation available? What are the hours and expense of on site child care?

Technology: What is the ratio of students to computers? How is the Internet incorporated into classroom teaching? Is technology exposure limited to a lab? How proactive is the librarian with tracking down resources outside of the school?

Location: What are the advantages or disadvantages of the school's location? Is there distracting outside traffic noise? How close to the school do strangers conduct business? Are there any environmental concerns? How is school traffic managed?

Parents: How are parents involved? Are they required to volunteer or is it a personal choice? Is there a financial penalty for not volunteering?

Students: Is the school selective? Is the school population diverse? What is the student retention rate? Ultimately, which universities offer admittance to students who attended the school? How are students prepared for college?

Extra-curricular: Which extra-curricular activities are available? What is offered to parents on days parents need to work but school is not in session, such as teacher work days and school holidays?

Results: What can parents expect by the end of the year the first year and what can they generally expect the results to be when the student graduates--academically, socially, and spiritually? How well does the response match your vision for your child?

For answers to these questions, consult the leading school administrators. Satisfaction of families, particularly those who have researched the options, is also a worthy consideration and should be weighed against your family's values and priorities.

Patricia K. Smart, M.L.I.S., is Director of Admissions for Village Christian Schools. As questions arise on your school search, feel free to consult her directly at 818/767-8382.