A quality education is about more than grades. It prepares a student for life and makes the world around them a better place. But how do you judge whether a school is good? It’s a tricky question, especially in a system that encourages segregation. Here are some things to look for.
Community
Choosing the right kindergarten school for your child can be an overwhelming experience. There are many factors to consider, including school types, classroom sizes, teacher qualifications, test scores, and educational philosophies. Fortunately, careful research can help you find the best kindergarten school for your child.
In the study, participants described a community as “a place that people with common interests and goals inhabit.” The term evokes images of social ties, human relationships, a sense of attachment to the location, and mutual support. While selecting a kindergarten, parents should look for schools with a strong community and social network. This will help children develop an interest in learning and create a positive environment for them to grow. They should also choose a school that offers developmentally appropriate playtime and encourages kids to interact with each other.
Safety
A reliable kindergarten school Cambridge MA, is always looking for safety measures. Ask your child’s teacher about the school’s plans and strategies for handling emergencies such as fires, blizzards, bomb threats, and armed intruders. Some parents worry their children’s classrooms are too academic, resulting in a lack of time for art and play. A recent study found that kids in classrooms with more advanced math and language arts content do better on test scores and show more vital social-emotional skills like self-control and focus.
Experience
When it comes to your child, you want the best education for her. That includes an academic approach that suits her learning style, a culture of safety and collaboration, and a supportive environment that shows genuine care for student growth and progress.
While it’s tempting to focus only on your child’s teacher, it’s essential to consider the overall school experience. Look at the facility and ask to talk to current parents. This will help you put context to the research you’ve done online and the reviews you’ve heard from others. Then, schedule a visit to see the school in action for yourself. It can make all the difference in your decision-making process. The right Kindergarten can shape your child for a lifetime. Choosing quality can mean the difference between success and failure.
Academics
A sizable body of research shows that children who enter Kindergarten with specific early skills are more advantaged in future academic success. But it’s not the only factor.
In many schools, teachers of young students are pressured to give them advanced academic content that experts and teachers say they’re often developmentally unready for. That rigor, coupled with an emphasis on high-stakes testing, is causing some quality teachers to leave the classroom.
While attention to outcomes measures is essential, it should never come at the expense of a concern for fostering quality education. A quality learning environment requires that all elements of the educational community be valued, including a focus on equity in outcomes. With it, student achievement will be driven up in a few selected areas and at the expense of other essential aspects of education.
Extracurriculars
In addition to providing children with a more varied educational experience, extracurricular activities help students learn to concentrate and focus. This skill is essential in their academic careers and life in general.
The most popular activities include sports, art, music, and student government. However, some schools offer various options, including service projects and hobby clubs.
It is essential to provide a variety of extracurricular activities and allow students to propose new ones as well. But, limiting the number of actions students take at once is also essential. Over-scheduling can result in stress and burnout and can be harmful to their grades as well as their health. Ideally, students should aim for quality over quantity in extracurriculars.