Choosing a Private School

By Stacy DeBroff 

Parents are feeling more and more pressure to give their kids an added boost when it comes to their education, fearing that if they leave it up to the public schools, their child will get lost in the crowds or their talents will go undeveloped, vaulting them into a mediocre adulthood. Many complaints such as overcrowded public schools are justified, but the question of enrolling your child in private school is worth extensive thought, and the question of cost is weights heavily. Here are some tips to help you in your search:

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Your Child's First Days at School

By Stacy DeBroff 

The beginning of the school year increases a child's anxiety levels as he familiarizes himself with new teachers, classmates, and subjects. Get your child to open up about his expectations for school. Ask him if he feels excited, anxious, or a little bit of both. Talk with him about specific worries he has for the upcoming year.

In the weeks before school starts, resume a school schedule with your child. Explain the upcoming school routine in detail. Go over your child's schedule, including the times he'll need to wake up, eat breakfast, and be ready to leave the house. Have him go to sleep earlier at night and get up early in the morning. After breakfast, have him engage in productive activities, such as reading, writing, or solving math problems.

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Avoiding Becoming the Notorious "Difficult Parent"

By Stacy DeBroff 

While it is always your prerogative to let a teacher know when you disagree with her decisions or have concerns about your child's classroom performance, recognize that she is responsible for satisfying many other parents besides you. Be willing to forgive if your child's teacher makes a mistake or fails to devote full attention to your specific issue. Move on to the new challenge you face together, but consider how you can best approach the next situation with her.

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Getting Involved in Daily Homework

By Stacy DeBroff 

Teachers rely on homework to strengthen and review classroom work, often counting on parents to help clarify misunderstandings and confusion. In essence, you become an adjunct of the classroom, providing the tutoring, editing, or advice your child needs to grasp the material.

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Choosing the Right School for your Child

By Stacy DeBroff 

You have to be an informed consumer when choosing the right school for your child. With so many options, this can prove to be a daunting task. Public or private, parochial or secular, or public charter? A school may have great academics, a beautiful campus, and a sound reputation and still not be the right fit for your child. Decide whether the school can address his needs and learning style fully. Be sure the school has a philosophy that reflects the educational approach that you feel will be best for your child.

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Advocating School Reform

By Stacy DeBroff 

Parents have begun to take more active roles in changing old school policies and developing new programs. School systems have responded to this increase in involvement by trying to include the entire school community in the school's operations. Administrators are sharing more of their decision-making responsibilities with teachers and parents than ever before.

Advocating for your child means voicing your opinions, suggestions, and concerns in a respectful and logical way. Understand that your child will learn from your problem-solving approach, so be aware of the example you set.

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