Living History Worldwide

Seeing as a good education is the key to any child’s future success, it is no surprise that all parents are greatly invested in finding the best schools around for their children. A top rated public day school, or the best private schools, can prepare a child for college and real life in all sorts of ways. Parents may look for the best schools around when they move to a new city or county, or when their child first becomes old enough for preschool or kindergarten. Parents who don’t have personal references for finding the best preschools can use the internet, and start with a basic search such as “preschool near me”, and refine the search further to narrow down the results. What comes next? And what should a good preschool or elementary school, public or private, provide?

Finding Good Preschools

It is not mandatory for American children to attend preschool or other pre-K programs, but all the same, this option is proving more popular than ever, and enrollment rates for children aged three to five have been growing. From 1990 to 2000 in particular, the enrollment rate expanded quickly, and by now, over half of all children in this age range are attending preschool, and in 2015, 87% of all five-year-olds were enrolled in pre-K programs. A good preschool isn’t just a daycare center; it is a dedicated academic setting where young students learn how to learn, get used to following teacher directions, and take part in extracurricular activities while also learning to socialize with their peers. All of this can prepare a child for elementary school.

As for the search, the parents can start with something basic such as “preschool near me,” but in large cities, this will turn up a lot of results. So, the parents may specify whether they want to find public or private preschools, and they can enter “top rated” or “best” to make sure they’re finding the best-regarded schools around. Such as “top private preschool near me miami” or “best rated public preschool near me los angeles” and find some results. Entering the local ZIP code can also help keep the results local. From here, the parents can strike out unsuitable options, and compile a list of promising preschools for the search.

The parents may tour those preschools one by one, and by visiting in person, they can get a clear impression of what each school is like, and consult the staff. The parents can look into the school’s funding, the types of programs it offers for students, and the credentials of each teacher working there. During repeat visits, the parents should bring along their child, so that youngster can form their own impression. Parents can do this to check that their child feels relaxed and at ease in a particular school and around its staff.

Finally, take note that private preschools are privately funded and run, hence the name, and they charge tuition every year for students’ parents. In exchange, these schools are typically robustly funded and have expert teachers and a lot of supplies on hand, making for an excellent educational zone. Still, a well rated public preschool may be almost as good in some cases, though it may take some work to find them.

Elementary Schools

Meanwhile, it is certainly mandatory for children to be enrolled in elementary school and beyond, and a similar process can be used to find good elementary schools nearby. Most are public schools, and some are privately run and funded. Parents who can afford them should weigh this decision carefully.

Also, an older child who needs a new elementary school may have particular interests or aptitudes, anything from art and music to sports or science, and the parents can try to find a school that offers special classes, clubs, or other programs for those interests. Also, if a child has special needs, such as a physical or a mental disability, then the parents should find a school that can accommodate those needs. This may range from a wheelchair ramp and automatic doors, all the way to a special education classroom for children with mental disabilities or conditions, such as (just as one example) high functioning autism. After all, all children, regardless of ability, need a good education.