Photography by Bryan Rollins
The current school year is only halfway done, but if you’re in the market for a new school for your child, now is the time to take a closer look at your options.
For parent Andre Jones, looking for a high school for his middle school daughter to attend in the fall is one that has taken him from observing several types of schools that Memphis has to offer — public, private and charter.
“I simply want the best for my daughter that stimulates her academically.”
Public School
Shelby County Schools is the largest school district in the Memphis area, catering to a hundred thousand students with differing needs. Educators here say focusing on the individual child is key.Whether you’re looking for a school with a specialized learning focus and competitive entry requirements or a traditional K-12 setting with a broad set of courses and extracurricular offerings, SCS offers many options for your child.No Line, No Waiting for Shelby County Schools
For the first time with Shelby County Schools there will be no line, no waiting to apply to optional schools or any school this year. For years, parents often bundled up in the cold to improve their child’s chances of getting in the school of their choice. Now SCS takes the standing-in-line process online exclusively. Starting January 29th at 10 a.m., all applications for all schools will only be accepted online.
Quick Facts
About SCS 2018-19School Choice Application Process
Online school choice application opens at 10 a.m. on January 29, 2018 at scsk12.org
One online process for ALL school choice applications — general choice & optional schools!
Apply online anytime, anywhere using any device with Internet access.
Must have a valid email address to apply; Parents will receive an email confirming date/time of application.
Students may apply for two general choice options and/or two optional schools.
NO COMPUTER OR INTERNET? Visit your school, the SCS Parent Welcome Center, public libraries, or anywhere with free WiFi.
Private School
The Memphis Association of Independent Schools cites five factors that drive success for kids and schools that parents should consider whether the school is public or private.
High-quality, committed teachers. They should be well prepared in their content, possess strong teaching skills, and have a command of the materials they present in the classroom. They develop an understanding of how each student learns and what interests and motivates their students.
Classroom lessons that are innovative and engaging. Hands-on learning experiences, stimulating class discussions, group projects, and off-site field trips are just some of the ways successful schools challenge students to stretch their minds.
Intimate classroom settings within close-knit communities. Smaller classes allow teachers to tailor their teaching style to the needs of the students. In close-knit communities, every student is known, and knows adults he or she can rely on.
An achievement-oriented culture. Quality schools expect all students to succeed. They encourage students to explore and value perseverance and achievement.
Parental involvement. Schools that promote regular communication among students, parents, and teachers make sure that everyone is working toward the same goals for the student. Parental involvement can take many forms, including talking regularly to the child about what he or she is learning, helping out in the classroom, and serving on school-wide committees.
PreSchool
Early childhood education is a key indicator of success in later school years. Studies show that children should be introduced to an enriching environment to develop their cognitive, motor, behavioral, and social skills by the time they are 2 years old.
There are excellent preschool options out there — but how can parents “hack” the preschool search to find them? What are the things to look out for? Following is a list of 10 quality indicators parents should look for during their search to choose the best preschool for their child.
1. License check Only consider options that are licensed by the state regulatory agency for all center-based programs and family child care.
2. The basics Ask about hours, educational philosophy and curriculum, teacher credentials, teacher turnover rates, and guidance strategies.
3. Visitor policy View the school calendar and learn about family activities, volunteer opportunities, and their visitor policy. The program should have an open visitor policy for parents.
4. Daily schedule The program should follow the individual schedule of each baby, so that they eat when they’re hungry, sleep when they’re tired, and aren’t trapped in a bouncy seat the entire day. For toddlers and preschoolers, a more structured day with a predictable schedule and routine is best.
5. Outdoor time How often do they take the children outside? Ideally, they go outside daily — even multiple times per day.
6. Quality check Ask about any quality assessments or ratings completed by the program. This can easily help indicate a high-quality environment.
7. Teacher ratios What are the teacher/student ratios? Compare to your state regulations. Lower ratios are another indicator of a high-quality program.
8. No yelling Are teachers engaged with the kids? Do they kneel down to their level versus talking down to them? Can you hear the sound of happy, busy children or do you hear yelling? Look for context behind any noise and activity.
9. Televisions A preschool with a TV is a big no-no — minus a few exceptions. This signals a lack of engagement and activities for children.
10. Parent gut check Check how you feel when you’ve stepped into the building. Parental instincts are just as important as tangible facts and figures on whether the environment is a good fit for your child.
Checklist courtesy of Wonderschool Early Care and Education. Visit wonderschool.com for more pre-school childcare resources.