Selecting a School:  A helpful worksheet for families
Developed by the Public Education Task Force

Selecting a school for your child is different from following the old saying "One size fits all." Perhaps now, more than ever, parents have choices. One of our strengths in the Pittsburgh community is the opportunity to select from a variety of private, parochial, and public schools including neighborhood, magnet, and charter schools.

Thanks to a parent's suggestion, the Public Education Task Force developed this worksheet. While selecting a school can seem complex, this worksheet provides a useful approach. As with many educational decisions, it is extremely valuable to communicate with other parents, visit the schools you are considering, and gather information from administrators and teachers.

In a city of rivers, the Public Education Task Force is a community resource serving as a bridge, encouraging communication among the community, the schools, and families. We wish you the best as you begin this exciting and important process!

Feel free to use this worksheet as a guide. After reviewing the questions in each category, select the ones that you find most useful. You can use this worksheet for elementary, middle, and high schools. Some points may be more relevant for one kind of school than another. With this worksheet in hand, visit each school, look around, and ask many questions. By using the worksheet for each school, you'll have a similar basis for comparison. Plus, we have left space for your own notes.

Visit the schools and ask questions

Call each school you are considering and make an appointment for a tour. If possible, visit a school while it is in session. Before making your final decision, it is helpful to spend some time in the school with your child so he or she is a part of the process and is able to give you some input. A child's reaction can be very valuable.

The best way to learn about a school is by talking with people who know it the best through their first-hand experience. Arrange to speak with teachers, parents, and students. Ask them what is special about the school, what they like/don't like. Ask for the names of parents who are involved in aspects of the school that are of interest to you, such as, the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Parent-School-Community Council (PSCC) or who volunteers in the classroom. Ask them what educational/extra-curricular opportunities their children experience on a daily basis, and what they value about the school community.

Gather information from a variety of sources

Research the school via the Internet and local/regional newspapers. Ask for school brochures, newsletters, and information about school size, unique programs, test scores, and upcoming events. For the Pittsburgh Public Schools, ask to see the Comprehensive Educational Improvement Plan (CEIP) and the District Satisfaction Survey.

Reflect on your child as a student

Consider your child's personality, learning style, and current experiences in school. Each child is a unique combination of characteristics that continually shape her or his potential success in a learning environment.

Choosing a school = Choosing a community

Schools play a critical role in children's academic and social development. Along with our family's influence, experiences at school help shape the way a student interacts with an increasingly diverse world. There are many pieces to the school experience, and through this process, each family considers which aspects are most relevant.

  The Public Education Task Force is a part of the Community and Public Affairs Council of the United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
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Making the Right Match
Some things to consider when selecting a school

Rating Scale: E = Excellent S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory N/A = Non-applicable

What is the overall school atmosphere? (welcoming, orderly)

• What is the overall climate in the school hallways?
• What is the school's vision and mission statement?
• Does the classroom atmosphere invite student learning? How do the staff and students interact?
• What are the classrooms like? How are they organized? Is student work displayed?
• What is the school enrollment and class size?
• How are parents involved? (classroom volunteers, PTO, PSCC, field trips)
• What is the school schedule? (drop-off, dismissal, extended day, holidays)
• What are the school's approaches to safety and security?
• What partnerships does the schools have with the community.
  

Use the following spaces below to make note of your overall reaction to the School Environment at three different schools:

School 1:

School 2:

School 3:

Academics

• What curriculum does the school use? What are the benefits for the students? Ask for a sampling of subject areas such as Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Foreign Language.
• What are some other types of subjects offered? (art, music, drama)
• What are the ways the classes are organized? (mixed or ability groupings)
• What teaching methods do the teachers use? (hands-on)
• What programs/efforts are there to meet children's learning styles/abilities?
• What is the quality and amount of homework?
• How is progress measured? What are the students' local, state, and national test scores?
• What portion of the students pursues higher education?

Use the following spaces below to make not of your overall reaction to the Academics at three different schools:

School 1:

School 2:

School 3:

Activities Beyond the Classroom

• Are there opportunities or academic enrichment/remediation for students in need?
• Does the school offer extra opportunities in the arts, sports/fitness, and special interest clubs?
• What types of performances/presentations are provided by outside sources?
• Are there parent/child learning opportunities?
• What family activities does the school plan?
  

Use the box below to make note of your overall reaction to the Activities at three different schools:

School 1:

School 2:

School 3:

Diversity

• Are there opportunities to learn from teachers from diverse backgrounds?
• Are there opportunities to learn with students from similar and diverse backgrounds?
• Do school activities/atmosphere reflect a positive attitude toward students' religion/culture?
• Are there efforts to infuse multicultural education?
• Are facilities physically accessible to students/families with diverse abilities/special needs?

Use the box below to make note of your overall reaction to the Diversity at three different schools:

School 1:

School 2:

School 3:

AMENITIES/RESOURCES

• What technology is available and what access do students have? Do students have easy access to computers?
• Do research opportunities exist for students?
• Does the school have the following: auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria, playground, playing fields?
• Are there ongoing professional development opportunities for staff?
• How do I obtain information/referral for special needs and community services?
• Are extended care programs available?

Use the box below to make note of your overall reaction to the Amenities/Resources at three different schools:

School 1:

School 2:

School 3:

• Does the school have partnerships with business/community organizations and universities?
• Is the school involved with creative initiatives or innovative projects?
• What type of financial aid is available? What is the fee schedule? (for private and parochial schools)
• Are there a substantial number of school volunteers?
• How does the school communicate with home?

Reflecting on your worksheet results

Visualize your child as a student at each school and use the space in the box to complete the following phrases:

At _______________________, my child would enjoy__________________________________.
        (name of school)

What I admire the most about this school is _____________________________________.

What I like the least is _________________________________________________________.

School 1:

School 2:

School 3:

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Contact each school to make an appointment and receive an information packet.

Pittsburgh Council on Public Education
http://www.ed4allkids.org/
This website provides a variety of helpful resources for parents including the organization's publication Public Voices for Public Schools and information about "No Child Left Behind."

Pittsburgh Public Schools 
http://cms.pps.k12.pa.us/default.asp
Call 412/622-3615 for a copy of the District's Public School Choices booklet which contains a variety of helpful information about the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The booklet provides a short description of every school, as well as when to register, and how to apply/register for magnets and standard schools. Please note, timing is very important in the magnet school registration process which begins in October/November of the year before your child will be enrolled.

Public Education Network
http://www.publiceducation.org/

Public Education Task Force, Community and Public Affairs Council,  United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh412/992-5234 or enaveh@ujf.net or http://www.ujf.net/

Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, Education Committee412/422-7666 or sqhill@shuc.org Squirrel.hill@gateway.net or www.shuc.org