Are you looking to provide your child with a robust education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)? Well, this is what every parent wants for their children. This is why making the right choice when choosing a private school is of utmost importance. You have to carefully select a school that puts a lot of focus on STEM and make sure that it meets other important criteria as well. After all, this is your kid’s education that we are talking about, and there is no doubt that you want the best for him or her.
If you’re based in Franklin, Tennessee, or you want to find the perfect private school there, even if you aren’t currently living in this area, the good news is that you’ll have a lot of options. When aiming at providing your child with the opportunity to attend advanced chemistry and physics courses, for example, then a STEM-focused school is undeniably right for you. And, as mentioned, there is no doubt that you’ll have a lot of great options to choose from in Franklin.
In case you’ve never had to make such a choice in the past, it is completely normal to find yourself confused about how to choose the perfect school. There are, naturally, a lot of important steps you’ll have to take in order to make the right choice. So, what we are going to do right now is take you through those steps. Thus, read on to find out what you need to know about this process.
Ask Around
Whenever looking for something, one of the things that you probably do in the initial stages is ask around and check if the people you know can give you some recommendations. You may have some friends who have already sent their children to certain private schools in Franklin, and talking to them can be quite beneficial. Of course, since you want the focus to be on STEM, it would be best if you could talk to those people who have had the same requirements when choosing schools for their children. Use this step solely to get recommendations and not to jump right towards signing your kid up for certain programs because you definitely have to do some more research before getting to that part.
Check the Web
Whether you get enough recommendations from the people you know or not, you should always take this next step. In short, you should browse the Web for private schools in Franklin that put emphasis on STEM.
Nowadays, everyone is aiming at having some kind of online presence, so there is no doubt that you’ll be able to find these schools through the Internet. Visit their official websites and get as much information as you can before deciding if certain schools are worth exploring further or not.
This could also help you make a choice: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/choosing-secondary-school-stem-mind-christopher-hayden/
Visit the Schools
Naturally, you shouldn’t be making any final decisions before you actually visit the schools you are considering. You have to get a feel of the environment, which is why scheduling and agreeing to observe the classes is a good idea. Furthermore, you should use that visit as an opportunity to talk to the teachers as well, aiming at getting a sense of their teaching methods and approaches. After all, it is the quality of the teachers that will have a huge say in the quality of the education that your child will actually get.
Evaluate the Curriculum
Teachers are, however, just one part of the story. Sure, it is important for them to be highly qualified, committed to transferring the necessary knowledge, and skilled at doing that as well. However, teachers have to follow the curriculum, which is why you should take time to evaluate the curriculums at different private schools in Franklin. Once again, your goal is to choose a place that is focused on STEM, and that should be reflected in the curriculum. So, this step is certainly extremely important, and it is going to be of great help in your process of selecting the best private school in Franklin for your kid.
Consider Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities shouldn’t be taken for granted, either. Those can significantly enhance your kid’s education. So, check what kinds of activities certain schools provide, and, once again, go for those that have programs, competitions, and clubs that are focused mainly on STEM. Checking the extracurricular activities will certainly bring you one step closer to making your final decision. Find more tips on this page about how to choose the right private school.
Discuss the Approach to Education
At one point or another, it will be time for you to meet with the administrators. You should use those meetings as an opportunity to do two important things.
First off, discuss your child’s interests and needs so as to check if the school you’re researching can meet those important requirements and if the curriculums and approaches align with the kid’s needs. Then, remember to inquire about their approach towards STEM education, as well as about what they actually do so as to support their students in these specific areas. Your goal is to ultimately choose those schools that are focused on helping the students grow and boost their STEM education.
Get Feedback From Other Students and Parents
Finally, you should find the time to have some conversations with other students from the Franklin private schools you’re considering, as well as with their parents if possible. By doing this, you will get some first-hand insights into the quality of work that is done in certain places, as well as about the quality of the curriculum, the commitment of the teachers, and the general approach towards education. Hearing what other people have to say is of crucial importance because you will get a clearer sense of what to expect from specific schools that way. Once you talk to a few parents and students, you will have a much easier time deciding if a certain place is right for your child or if you should keep on looking further.