The Power of Choice: 10 Questions to Help You Find the Perfect School for Your Child

Choices. Choices such as how many children we want to have, what religion we want to practice, which candidate to vote for, who we want to marry, and the words we want to speak have become as common as breathing. The average adult makes approximately 35,000 choices a day.  Many Americans are now suffering from a new phenomenon psychologists are calling “Decision Fatigue.” The danger is that we can become so tired of making choices, that we hesitate to make new ones even when their consideration is legitimately necessary.  

One such choice that is often overlooked is where our children go to school. Many Americans settle for the default of the public school system, instead of looking at alternative options. 

Here are 10 key questions to help you choose the right school for your child.

1. Is your child happy? A basic need of everyone is to feel happy and safe, otherwise it is not possible to be productive.  

2. What is the student-teacher ratio? In an article by Great Schools.org, anything over 22 is too large for one teacher to be effective in giving each child the individual attention they deserve.  

3. Are different learning styles supported? Whether your child is an auditory, visual, kinesthetic or social learner, he deserves a school that identifies and differentiates learning styles.

4. Will my child learn a foreign language? There are many cognitive benefits such as better critical thinking skills, better problem-solving skills, enhanced memory and more creativity, especially during the younger grades.  

5. Are there opportunities for hands-on learning? Experiential, hands-on learning for children should be the norm, not the exception to increase retention rates.   

6. How is behavior management handled? Knowing that your child will be positively corrected if needed instead of shamed is a critical issue.  

7. What about the creative arts? The arts provide a plethora of developmental advantages to young minds such as fine motor skills, the innovative process, and confidence building.

8. How is standardized testing regarded? Choose a school that values the results of tests as one of several assessment methods, but not one that puts great emphasis on preparation for or “teaching to the test.”

9. How are field trips handled? A school that puts value on field trips is a school that puts value on student growth.

10. How “structured” is the structure? Is there flexibility in the schedule, teaching methods, curriculum, and classroom?  

Is it time for you to make a new choice?  The CinDay Academy is a Preschool -12th grade that is licensed by the Ohio Department of Education and is a private, independent school right here in the Springboro area.  

Our focus is on small class sizes, personalized instruction, attention to learning styles, and taking learning beyond the classroom with real-world experiences.  In this close knit, nurturing community, students are encouraged to be innovative critical thinkers.  

To schedule a tour, visit CinDayacademy.com. Registration is now open to the public and spots are limited.