How to Choose the Right School for Your Child?
Choosing the right school for your child can be a daunting task, especially given the sheer number of options available today. But it doesn’t have to be if you have a clear understanding of what factors to evaluate when choosing a school. In this article, we will break down what you should know about selecting the school that is right for your child.
Choose a school that is near you
This may not seem like the most important decision regarding your child’s education, but it can have a profound effect on how your child perceives the activity of going to school. By choosing a school near you, you are taking away hours of stressful travel and the resulting fatigue for your child. This is time that the child can spend doing their homework, resting, or playing with friends. It will also reduce your own stress and fatigue when you need to take responsibility for transport to and from school, or when you need to attend parent-teacher meetings or school events.
Student-Teacher Ratio
The student-teacher ratio shows the number of students per teacher at a school. It is expressed as a ratio, for example, 30:1. The lower the ratio, the more you can expect that your child will receive individual attention and support from teachers. If the student-teacher ratio is low, it is easier for teachers to tailor their teaching methods according to the needs of their children.
From the student’s perspective, more individual attention can encourage more active participation in the classroom, and therefore a better understanding of the subject matter. This will reflect in their academic performance as well.
At The HDFC School branches in Gurugram, Bengaluru and Pune, we maintain a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. The student-teacher ratio national average at various levels is as below:
- 26.16 at the Primary School Level
- 19.44 at the Secondary School Level
- 27.08 at the Higher Secondary School Level
Education and Curriculum
Different schools follow different teaching methodologies that are usually geared towards a certain type of learning style. It is critical that you choose one that suits your child’s learning style.
At The HDFC Schools, we follow a project-based learning approach, where students deep dive hands-on into projects, thereby getting a deeper understanding of the core subject and also learning new, more advanced concepts related to the subject matter. This helps them develop critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills that will help them in every aspect and at every stage of their later life.
If you have noticed that your child often learns by doing, then a project-based learning approach could be the right fit for your child.
Apart from project-based learning, other common teaching approaches are Montessori education, traditional education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Infrastructure and Facilities
The infrastructure and facilities that a school offers contribute not only to your child’s learning experience but also to their safety, general well-being and holistic development.
Modern classrooms, well-equipped science and computer labs, and an extensive library are all important for your child's intellectual and personality development.
The infrastructure at The HDFC Schools is created keeping in mind the needs of the present as well as the future. We have carefully designed our spaces to make learning fun for students, allowing them to immerse themselves in experiential learning. In addition to the ones mentioned above, our infrastructure provides many other facilities designed to help us deliver our key objective of holistic development of your child.
See facilities at our Gurgaon campus
See facilities at our Bengaluru campus
See facilities at our Pune campus
Co-Education
You might be considering the advantages of single-gender education, where your child may feel more comfortable and communicate easily with peers of the same gender. However, it's essential to contemplate their future as well. Consider the workplace they will eventually enter, which will likely involve working alongside individuals of the opposite gender.
Encouraging your child to adapt to a co-ed environment from a young age can help them feel at ease when collaborating with peers of all genders in the future. This early exposure and experience can be invaluable in fostering confidence and effective communication with people of both sexes. It's an important aspect to consider when selecting the right school for your child's overall development.
Decide the Board
Selecting the right school board for your child is a complex decision in today's educational landscape, which our parents didn't have to grapple with. There are now numerous options available, such as ICSE, CBSE, SSC, IG, Cambridge, and more. However, it's important to emphasize that this decision-making process can be quite time-consuming. The wealth of information available online can understandably leave you feeling overwhelmed.
To make an informed choice, it's essential to have a thorough discussion with your partner about each board. Here are some key considerations to guide your decision:
- Understand the differences in curriculum between these boards.
- Check which boards are available in schools within your geographic reach.
- Investigate the annual fees associated with each board.
- Reflect on your child's talents and interests, and assess whether a particular board aligns with their strengths.
As you ponder these questions, you'll gain clarity on your inclinations. Don't worry about narrowing your options down to just one board right away. It's perfectly fine to keep two boards in mind initially. However, it's essential to finalize your choice between these two boards at this crucial stage.
The HDFC school follows a CBSE curriculum and provides students with a holistic, balanced education that’s a combination of various co-scholastic programs, physical education & sports activities, community-school initiatives and parent-school programs.
Learn more about The HDFC school
Discipline and a Healthy Environment
The school holds a special place in your child's life, especially a few years into their primary education. It's in these hallowed halls that they forge friendships and develop a strong desire to spend as much time as possible. The impact of school on your child's life is profound.
Hence, it's imperative to ensure that your child is in a secure environment, one where you have the confidence that they are cultivating the right values and attitudes toward life, family, friends, and society.
When surrounded by sincere and disciplined peers, your child is more likely to adopt a similarly disciplined approach to life. Moreover, the external conditions and surroundings have a major impact on shaping your child's holistic development.
A conducive environment can have a profoundly positive impact on your child's growth. As a parent, it's your responsibility to verify that the school adheres to stringent regulations that guarantee discipline, safety, and a nurturing atmosphere that fosters your child's well-being and development.
At The HDFC School, the students enhance the ambience of the school as they create a source of joy and develop their own tools of happy living. They celebrate learning as they play, laugh, wonder, make mistakes and embrace them.
Read more to learn how The HDFC school creates a positive social environment for holistic development.
Affordability
As a parent, you need to evaluate your financial resources when selecting a school. Beyond the school fees, there are other costs to consider as well, like uniforms, textbooks, and taking part in extracurricular activities. If you are considering a school that is not nearby, factor in the transport costs as well.
From a long term perspective, you need to factor in the rising costs due to inflation as well. The education sector has historically had a higher inflation rate compared to the overall economy.
It is important not to overstretch yourself in terms of what you can afford. Choose a school that suits your budget and offers the most value in terms of education for your child.
School Performance
Similar to students, schools also undergo evaluations and rankings, which may not be the most commonly used method for selecting the right school but can significantly influence your decision-making process.
You can evaluate the performance of different schools on the following factors:
- Quality of Education
- Academic Performance
- Quality of Teachers
- Extracurricular Activities
- Transparency in Communication with Students and Parents
- Accountability for Your Child’s Development
All branches of The HDFC School have ranked among the top CBSE schools in Pune, Gurugram, and Bengaluru. It provides learning opportunities that enable your child to grow and develop in a holistic manner, create an environment for inquisitive, intellectual, innovative minds and instill the joy of learning through cooperation and collaboration.
Conclusion
The process of selecting the right school for your child is an important decision that can significantly shape their educational journey and personal growth. It's a multifaceted choice, influenced by a myriad of factors ranging from the school's curriculum and extracurricular offerings to its location, values, and cost.
Remember that choosing the right school is not only about the present but also about preparing your child for a successful and fulfilling future. It's about providing them with the environment and opportunities that will empower them to thrive academically, socially, and personally. By carefully considering all aspects and aligning them with your family's values, you can make an informed choice that sets your child on a path to success and happiness in their educational journey.
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