The document provides a comprehensive overview for parents choosing an elementary school, emphasizing the importance of assessing various educational options such as public, private, and charter schools. Key considerations include the school's environment, student-teacher ratio, teaching style, emotional support, curriculum, and discipline policies. Parents are encouraged to evaluate what is essential for their child’s learning and well-being during school visits.

1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Grades 1-3
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2. Overview
When picking an elementary school for their child
many parents opt for the school that is closest to
their home. However many parents prefer to
explore all of their educational options before
deciding on just one school. Between
public, private, Montessori, charter, magnet and
parochial schools the choices may seem dizzying.
The following is a short overview on what every
parent should look for in an elementary
school regardless of how it is governed.
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3. Issues to consider
Before even looking into all the different
educational choices at your disposal you should
figure out what essentials you expect from your
child's school. What are the important things you
need from a school? Consider your child's learning
style and abilities. When you start to visit different
schools you should begin to consider what you see
while on a tour.
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4. Issues to consider
-- Can you imagine your child being successful
there? Is this a good fit for you and your child? Will
this school engage their interests and learning
style?
-- Is the environment conducive to learning? Does
the campus appear well kept, warm and inviting?
Do the students and staff seem like they're happy
to be there?
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5. Issues to consider
-- What is the student to teacher ratio like? This
will vary from state to state and even from city to
city. This factor is an important indicator of a
quality school.
-- What is the teaching style like? Do students work
in small groups often or do they do independent
projects?
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6. Issues to consider
-- Do teachers appear to connect with students?
Are the students excited and curious about
learning? Are the teachers enthusiastic about their
material?
-- What does the student work look like? Does the
work displayed in the classroom look like it would
challenge your child? Is the work creative and
inspired?
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7. Issues to consider
-- How does the school handle a child's emotional
well being? Are counseling services available? Does
the school have a program in place to handle
conflicts between students?
-- What is in the curriculum and what school values
does it reflect? How balanced is the curriculum?
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8. Issues to consider
-- What are the school's discipline policies? What
are their homework policies like?
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9. Additional Resources
PBS ParentsTime Magazine
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