Sponsored by Wichita Collegiate School, and written by Kathy Rukes, Director of Enrollment Management, Wichita Collegiate School.
As parents, one of the most important decisions we make is where our child will attend school. Given the fact that students will spend a minimum of eight hours a day at the school they attend – a number that increases should they need extended care or take part in extracurricular activities – it’s worth investing time and energy to find the right school for your family.
But where to begin? In this digital age, much information can be found with a click of a button. You can gather a lot of statistics and programming information from simply reviewing websites. Online research can help you narrow down your options, but what you see on a website only shares part of every school’s story.
Having worked in preschool-Grade 12 admissions for over five years, and having had an additional five years of onboarding new students at the college level, I have had the pleasure of speaking with hundreds of families over the years as they discern what school is the right fit for their family.
Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way.
Know Your Family’s Non-Negotiables
Every family has their own guiding principles, and those principles should be at the center of your school search.
- What do you hope your child gains from their time at school? Academic opportunities? A sense of community? Exposure to the arts? A chance to compete athletically?
- Do you want your child to grow up in a diverse environment filled with families of different backgrounds and beliefs? Or would you rather have your child surrounded by classmates with the same belief system?
- Do you see your child best thriving in a larger community or a smaller community?
- If looking at private schools, do you have the resources to fund a private education or will you need additional financial support? If so, what schools offer financial assistance?
How you answer the questions above can help you begin to frame what school options most appeal to your family’s unique needs and preferences.
Learn the Basics
I often find myself on tours during which parents express that they simply don’t know where to begin or what to ask – which is totally okay! To help those out there who are “new to the game,” I have compiled the top questions I’ve been asked over the years regardless of the age of their child. From preschoolers to freshmen in high school, this is a great starting point as you prepare your school search.
- How large are your classes? What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
- How experienced are your teachers? How long have they been teaching at this school?
- How does the school communicate with parents regarding a child’s development, disciplinary issues, or typical day-to-day information?
- Dress code … do you have one? Uniforms? Philosophy behind your dress code?
- What are the school day hours? Do you offer extended care options? After school enrichment and extracurricular options?
- And of course, my favorite: How good is the food in your lunch program?
Schedule A Campus Visit
This one seems obvious but still worth stating: Nothing beats an on-site visitation. When you take the time to visit a school, you can learn so much about a school’s culture by simply observing.
- How were you greeted at the entrance or on the tour by educators at the school?
- Do teachers have a good rapport with their students?
- Are students engaged and happy in their classrooms?
- Is the environment safe?
- How are classrooms set up – traditional rows of desks or more flexible spaces to provide different opportunities for students to engage with one another and their learning environment?
What a visit to campus offers a family more than anything is an answer to the most important question of all: Does it feel like a place in which you can imagine your child growing up?
If I could leave you with one final bit of advice, it would be to stay curious in your search for the right school. Don’t assume that your neighbor’s experience at one school will define your possible experience at the same school. Or if you attended a local school, that your child will have an experience identical to yours. Instead, ask questions. And listen … with your ears, with your eyes, and with your hearts. Never underestimate your parental intuition. Wichita has many great options, and though it seems crazy to already be talking about the 2024-2025 school year, now is the time to start exploring all that those options have to offer.
For more information on Wichita Collegiate School, you can attend their Admissions Events or schedule a campus visit for your family!
Attend Admissions Events
Schedule Campus Visit
Kathy Rukes, Director of Enrollment Management at Wichita Collegiate School, has worked in education for nearly 20 years. The daughter of a long-time educator, a former volleyball coach, and a mother of three boys, she loves welcoming people into their school family. If interested in touring Wichita Collegiate School, contact her today at [email protected].
