Difference Between a Good School and a Right School

David Riesman once famously said, “Men are created different; they lose their social freedom and their individual autonomy in seeking to become like each other�?. While every parent wants the best for their child, it is equally important to understand that what may be right for one, may not be right for someone else. Keeping this in mind, NNE has created this article to help parents differentiate between good schools and right schools and choose the school right for their children. Here are a few points that will help parents differentiate a good school from the right school.

Socio-economic background

Paying hefty annual fees is not the only thing that a parent has to deal with, when it comes to admitting their child to a “branded�? private school. Another important factor is the socio-economic background of the students; a student may or may not be able to adjust in that environment. For example, a school where most students come from entrepreneurial backgrounds, a child from a working middle class background might not be able to adjust. Parents should shortlist schools keeping this point in mind.

Matching your values with the school’s ethos

Every parent wants an all-round developed child, who, apart from being good in studies, does not forget the values he learns at home. There are schools that follow rituals that you may or may not practice at home. In case parents do not feel comfortable with those practices, a good school might not be the right school for them.

Teacher-student ratio

Many schools admit students, but are not capable of giving them the attention that they warrant. A child, especially a young child requires a lot of attention, at home, as well as in school. The ideal Student:Teacher for nursery classes is 15:1, and, in any case, should not be more than 20:1, and it should not be more than  35:1 for primary classes.

Proximity

The School should be located close to the residence. Too much traveling at a young age might take a toll on the child. Suppose a child has to travel 15 Kilometers just to reach home from school, it might hamper with his other activities, such as, playing, extra-curricular activities or even his afternoon nap.

Parent-Teacher Interaction

The role of communication in education is very important. Communication makes the education dynamic so that in case there is any flaw that needs to be ironed out, at home or in class, can be done so, in a smooth manner. It is a two way process in which teachers need to communicate with parents and, parents need to communicate with teachers. The process is all the more important in a primary school.