1. The School
Search Is On:
Chicago Families Ask the
RiEht Questions
By Doreen Morand, NPN member since 2007
ll 6uch like consumers shopping for cars with the most gadgets,
I V I bells, whistles and best gas mileage, Chicago parents
-L Y Iresearch schools thoroughly and gather details on the many
options before they choose one that wili drive their childt education
for years to come. As admissions director and point person for St.
Benedict Preschool and Elementary Schools, I ve found that parents
routinely do their homework about our schools, what we have to
offer and whether our environment is the best fit for their child(ren)
and family. This article outlines the factors that most interest parents
when analyzing a school. Parents shared details on why certain
elements and answers to frequently asked questions are crucial in
their school research process.
Sense of community and parental involvement
A growing number of parents ask about the sense of community and
the level of parental involvement.
"Location and the connection between students and families are
both very important," said Lorraine Sikora, a St. Benedict Elemen-
tary School parent. "For our family, we searched for an institution
that offered a strong academic and faith-based foundation, inciud-
ing Catholic valuesl' In-and-out-of-classroom volunteer opportuni-
ties helped the Sikora family get to know their teachers, the other
students and their families, while surrounding them with a strong,
cultured parish and school community.
Academic curriculum and standardized
test score results
Every student reacts uniqueiy to different teaching styles, as each
student possesses individualized learning capabilities. So parents
naturally ask about the type of academic programs and grade-by-grade
curricula in place, especially those that address specific students'
needs. At some schools, teachers lead students, while at others, students
have more independent and exploratory mechanisms from which to
learn. There are many different t)?es of teaching/learning systems,
and parents should determine each school's philosophy and teaching
focus. For example, parents interested in foreign languages should find
out the languages taught, the age instruction begins and methods used.
While standardized test scores are not the sole barometer of students'
success, parents should determine which standardized tests each
school gives, the grade levels when they are administered and how, if
possible, results compare with other schools on their list.
When researching both public and private schools, it is important
to remember that schools administer difierent tests; therefore, the resuits
oftentimes are not comparable. For instance, Chicago Public Schools
administer the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), measuring
individual student achievement relative to the Illinois Learning
Standards. Some private schools administer the Stanford Achievement
Test and the TerraNova Tests-all reporting their scores differently.
"Our school administers the TerraNova Tests, which are driven
by the Archdiocese of Chicagol' said Rachel Gemo, St. Benedict
Preschool and Elementary School principal. "This test is unique in
that it incorporates an additional writing component, which requires
students to apply their critical thinking skillsi' Three educators
review the tests to gauge each studentt mastery ofthe subjects.
Principal experience and approachability
A principal's experience, his/her academic and extracurricular goais
and programs and his/her approachability to students and parents reveal
a lot about a school. These attributes become increasingly important
when a parent needs to address specific issues with the principal.
Kate Quinn, a mother of three at CPS Alexander Graham Bell
School, said that the principal's openness to talking, whenever and
however impromptu, was key. 'After learning that, it was easier to
observe how my children's academic goals were met through observing
their work inside and outside of the classrooms," she said.
High schools affect elementary school choices
Parents also like to think long-term. For example, many want to
know the high schools where the majority of students will
matriculate upon graduation. Early on, the students may not have
a preference; however, parents increasingly keep one eye on the
eventual college track and want to ensure that their children are
well-prepared, via a strong high schooi experience, to get into the
best colleges and universities.
6 npnparents.org

2. "While my top two criteria for selecting an elementary school
included classroom comfort/environment and standardized test
score results, I also was very curious to know the high schools where
graduates enrolledl' said Terry Grott, a Pilgrim Lutheran School mother.
"You really know upon visiting a school, and gleaning all this infor-
mation, which one is the best fit for your children and your familyi'
Unique programs
Each school has a range of unique programs, including varied
extracurricular activities, athletics, language arts, health education,
technology classes, after-school care and school nurse/medical care.
These, too, factor into a parent's decision-making process.
According to Paula Rittereiser, a St. Alphonsus Academy parent,
"Parent involvement, extracurricular activities and classroom size
are very important, but at the end of the day, it is most important to
be pleased and comfortable with the teachers that the school hiresl'
Shadow in the classroom
When a student transfers from one school to another, parents often
request that the child have the opporhrnity to spend at least part ofa day
in his/her potential classroom. Like parents, it is important for students
to experience a strong sense ofcomfort with the teachers, fellow students
and learning environment. One way to help students scouting a new
school is to have them eat lunch with their potential classmates,
which does wonders in providing a gauge for the social makeup of
the student body, not to mention the food choices in the cafeteria.
Final notes to help make the right choice
Parents talk to parents-often. When researching schools, parents
typically start their process two years before their children reach
school age and speak to other parents in the school. In addition,
parents may speak with school board Ieaders, principals, teachers,
coaches and administrative staffto learn about the academic plans,
goals and measurable successes. So ifyou're just beginning a school
search, dont be afraid to ask often-and early.
For every frequently asked question, there will be others as par-
ents search for the best schools for their children. The best advice I
can give is to research school websites, talk to parents, attend social
events-and take lots of notes!
Doreen Morand is the St. Benedict Preschool and Elementary School
admissions director. A Chicago parent, she researched many schools for
her children. She freelances for many local online and print publications.
Photo courtesy Doreen Morand
npnparents.org ?lA