Hellobee Boards

For us:
-It must be secular.
-Satisfaction from current students.
-Reasonably good reputation (as far as not being considered a "bad" school).
-Location.
-We also had a language consideration since my son is trilingual, so we did debate which language we wanted him to be educated in.

Program: I wanted something more than the standard curriculum. I looked at local magnet and charter schools within our district and town, but ended up deciding upon an interdistrict magnet that follows the IB Primary and Middle Years program in a neighboring city. I like the mix of diversity, the class is made up of kids from families all over the world. The focus is on becoming a lifelong learner.

Parent Involvement: I wanted a school with strong family involvement with a lof of differnt opportunities to give back. I have heard time and again that in situations where parents have to enter their child in a lottery or apply, parental involvemnt tends to be higher. That remains to be seen.

Grade levels: I wanted a school that was K-8. My son's current school is in the process of being built, but it's only enrolled for K and 1st this year. Each year they add a grade. It's a great opportunity for the kids to remain a little more innocent, because they're the youngest and the oldest at the very same time. This also means that the PTO isn't filled with parents that have been around forever and are stuck in their way of doing things. Everyone wants to get to know each other.

Administration and teachers: The principal is a rockstar has a proven track record and advocates for the kids. The teachers were picked from a pool of 200 applicants per position, so we have the best of the very best. They're also required to get a masters (if they don't already have one, in 4 years).

Cost: it had to be public, therefore, no cost. I believe in the public education system in the US, and want to put my money where my mouth is on this one.

Academic results, balance of play and education in the early years, teaching staff who I feel are a good fit for my DD, and since we are currently looking at catholic schools, I have been asking a lot of questions about how RE and confession - since I don't want her to be intimidated/confused - are handled. It's important to me she doesn't get homework so young but it seems everywhere gives it now so although I ask about it it seems a losing battle.
@Cherrybee: does E start in September too? We just started touring schools last week.

@Cherrybee: Why is that, is it because it the school has a population of english as a second language students?