Hellobee Boards

student to teacher ratio is impt to us too!

I'd talk to the teachers and sit in on classes if possible. Or stay for an entire day and try experiencing the schedule, eating the lunch.

Personally, I think the state of the facilities says a lot about the state of the school. New or well tended buildings; pleasant classrooms that aren't too busy or dull; outdoor playgrounds and gardens in good repair; pristine bathrooms and cafeteria. They all suggest care (and money, which is definitely not a bad thing).

@banana: You'd have to ask for permission of course, but I don't think it would be a problem. The teachers and students are used to having people observe their classes (administrators, student teachers, parents, etc.). I would try framing the request in terms of being new to the district/area and wanting to know your child's potential teachers better. Nothing crazy or high strung about that!

It's really not that unusual a request. The school probably has guidelines and time limits on parent observation. In my experience, educators can really appreciate an involved parent, so long as they're nice and friendly, not pushy or antagonistic!

Word of mouth is the best for us, of course in addition to school ratings/performance on tests. The area that we will be living in we haev the option between 2 schools (small town USA) & I want one and DH wants the other (the one he graduated from) but it has a poor rating compared to the other one, however it is about 2x as large with more activities. We have awhile, but its still a lot to think about.

As an elementary teacher, I'll chime in by saying that there's much, much more to a school than just test scores, which are typically how a school is determined to be 'good' or 'bad'. I would look into:

-Class Sizes (very important). In my province there is a cap of 21 students for K-2, but if there is no cap in your area I would ask to see what the typical class sizes are.

-Technology - A school that invests money and resources into improving its technologies, especially at the early elementary level, is (IMO) staying current with best practices and concerned about improving their pedagogy.

-Teacher Philosophies - Do the teachers at the school believe in worksheets, or hands on learning? Do they encourage cross-curricular learning or focus only on traditional academics? Do they go out of their way to incorporate the ever important 21st century skills (project-based learning, cooperative learning, student-directed learning, communication, collaboration, etc) Do students spend a considerable amount of time at their desk or are they moving around? How much PE/Music/Art/2nd Language time will they get?

-Perhaps the biggest concern for me would be the type of literacy program the school follows. Balanced-literacy programs are, (again, IMO and from my M.Ed research) much more effective and empowering than Basal series. It is becoming ever-more apparent in the education world that good teaching does not equal following a scripted or extremely constraining literacy program.

-How does the school accommodate for diverse learners?

-What types of events are put on by the Home and School?

Even after all the best research, though, you just have to go with your overall 'vibe' and gut feeling. Good luck!!

Project based learning/21C skills are definitely just emerging, but I think they are so so important for our littlest learners. I really put an emphasis on them this year and my 7 year olds THRIVED and actually won a national award for their work they did in promoting tourism through technology. I don't know if most schools would be involved in this yet but if you found one that was it's definitely a sign of a progressive school.

Balanced literacy involves teaching children to read at the level they are at. Small group and individual instruction is key. The teacher uses lots of different ways and strategies to help a child learn to read, write, speak, and spell. I would want my own child in a program that allows lots of time for independent reading with books that he/she is interested in.

Basals are basically like grade level textbooks. It's difficult to differentiate for struggling or soaring readers. Typically the class follows the same story and answers the same questions questions, does spelling drills based on the same words, etc.

To be honest though I don't have much experience with basals (maybe they've gotten better in recent years, but everything I've read has told me they are mostly outdated) In my student teaching experience, my mentor used basals.. I saw how disengaged the students were, they saw reading as a 'chore', and basically did the work just to get it done. When I got my first job in a school that does balanced literacy, it was a whole different world. The kids read because they LOVED to read and no one was left behind. If you see kids reading on the playground, bus, hallways - that's usually a good sign

Sorry for rambling! Can you tell I love what I do and love education??

I think it's fabulous that you are so into your son's education.... if only every parent was as involved and concerned as you!! Having the support at home will go a LONG way in helping your son have a positive schooling experience. Lucky kid!!

@banana: great tips. As an elementary school teacher , can I ask if you are teaching in a state that has adopted and or implemented the new national common core state standards?

@char54 what great information!! do you think that the majority of those factors are made my individual schools or by districts? I'm not due until November - but we're potentially buying a house in a new area and I'm trying to consider what is the best school district to buy into. I love the project based learned & balanced literacy ideas you shared (and i think that is how I was taught in elementary school) - how would you go about finding if a school utilized these? THANK YOU!