Choosing a school is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make for your child. To some extent, this has always been the case. Your parents likely looked at the quality of the schools in various areas before deciding where to live, for example.
WCS offers a robust robotics program that starts in elementary school. Last year, 20 students qualified for and competed in the VEX Robotics World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky.
You want to give your child the best possible education to help them succeed in life. But how do you know what the best education entails?
Obviously, every child is unique and has different needs. That being said, there are a number of things to look for when comparing preschools and elementary schools.
A School With a Variety of After-School Clubs and Sports
Extracurricular activities provide your child with the opportunity to engage and form relationships with children and instructors outside of the classroom environment. They encourage hard work, show the value of teamwork, build leadership skills and enable kids to explore their God-given gifts and talents.
Unfortunately, not all schools offer clubs or sports. If they do, the selection is often limited and may not fit your child’s needs.
It’s wise to look for schools with robust programs that provide a wide range of activities to engage your child.
How Well the School Aligns With the Values You Teach at Home
Young minds are malleable. As a parent, you take great care in encouraging positive character development and instilling specific beliefs and values, such as integrity, respect, responsibility and faith in Jesus Christ.
If the school you choose mirrors those beliefs and values, it’s likely they will become core principles for your child. Look for a school that creates a partnership with the home and church, and educates students’ minds and prepares their hearts to faithfully serve as ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
A School With Art and Music Programs
As more and more schools struggle to secure the funding they need, it’s becoming increasingly common to cut programs like art and music. However, some kinds of learning can only be achieved through these types of courses.
A recent study from the National Institutes of Health found that consistent music education engages young brains, supporting children’s development of attention, memory, literacy, concentration, creativity and cognitive development. Earlier this year, researchers from the Brookings Institution, a centrist think tank in Washington, D.C., found that, “Increases in arts learning positively and significantly affect students’ school engagement, college aspirations and their inclinations to draw upon works of art as a means for empathizing with others.”
If you truly want your child to have a well-rounded education, choose a school that offers art and music as a part of their regular curriculum during school hours.
A School That Cares About Health and Nutrition
As public schools have become increasingly focused on “teaching to the test,” many children spend more time sitting at their desks or tied to a specific educational curriculum. Moreover, cuts have hit both physical education and cafeterias hard.
Before you enroll your child at a particular school, ask about opportunities for play, physical education and hands-on learning. Also, request a menu so you can assess its nutritional value.
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A School With
Active Alumni
When alumni are active in the school community and donate to support its programs, it’s a good sign the school has had a profound impact on their lives. It also means that your child will have an active alumni network to support college, graduate school and career goals.
Look for alumni events, recognition of alumni donations and former students working at the school. Ask about opportunities to network or communicate with graduates for mentorship, career guidance and spiritual support.
Learn More About Westminster Christian School
These factors are just the beginning, of course, but they form a solid foundation of what to look for as you begin your search. For more information on how Westminster offers these things – and so much more – visit WCSMiami.org.
Schedule a Visit
Learn More about Westminster’s Elementary School
Contact the WCS Director
of Admission
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5 Things to Look for in a Preschool or Elementary School
5 Things to Look for in a Preschool or Elementary School
Schedule a Visit
Learn More about Westminster’s Elementary School
Contact the WCS Director
of Admission
Learn More About Westminster Christian School
These factors are just the beginning, of course, but they form a solid foundation of what to look for as you begin your search. For more information on how Westminster offers these things – and so much more – visit WCSMiami.org.
5
A School With Active Alumni
When alumni are active in the school community and donate to support its programs, it’s a good sign the school has had a profound impact on their lives. It also means that your child will have an active alumni network to support college, graduate school and career goals.
Look for alumni events, recognition of alumni donations and former students working at the school. Ask about opportunities to network or communicate with graduates for mentorship, career guidance and spiritual support.
4
A School That Cares About Health and Nutrition
As public schools have become increasingly focused on “teaching to the test,” many children spend more time sitting at their desks or tied to a specific educational curriculum. Moreover, cuts have hit both physical education and cafeterias hard.
Before you enroll your child at a particular school, ask about opportunities for play, physical education and hands-on learning. Also, request a menu so you can assess its nutritional value.
3
A School With Art and Music Programs
As more and more schools struggle to secure the funding they need, it’s becoming increasingly common to cut programs like art and music. However, some kinds of learning can only be achieved through these types of courses.
A recent study from the National Institutes of Health found that consistent music education engages young brains, supporting children’s development of attention, memory, literacy, concentration, creativity and cognitive development. Earlier this year, researchers from the Brookings Institution, a centrist think tank in Washington, D.C., found that, “Increases in arts learning positively and significantly affect students’ school engagement, college aspirations and their inclinations to draw upon works of art as a means for empathizing with others.”
If you truly want your child to have a well-rounded education, choose a school that offers art and music as a part of their regular curriculum during school hours.
2
A School With a Variety of After-School Clubs and Sports
Extracurricular activities provide your child with the opportunity to engage and form relationships with children and instructors outside of the classroom environment. They encourage hard work, show the value of teamwork, build leadership skills and enable kids to explore their God-given gifts and talents.
Unfortunately, not all schools offer clubs or sports. If they do, the selection is often limited and may not fit your child’s needs. It’s wise to look for schools with robust programs that provide a wide range of activities to engage your child.
1
How Well the School Aligns With the Values You Teach at Home
Young minds are malleable. As a parent, you take great care in encouraging positive character development and instilling specific beliefs and values, such as integrity, respect, responsibility and faith in Jesus Christ.
If the school you choose mirrors those beliefs and values, it’s likely they will become core principles for your child. Look for a school that creates a partnership with the home and church, and educates students’ minds and prepares their hearts to faithfully serve as ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
Today, the decision is far more complicated. What used to be a question of public vs. private has evolved to include options, such as outdoor schools, charter schools and more.
You want to give your child the best possible education to help them succeed in life. But how do you know what the best education entails?
Obviously, every child is unique and has different needs. That being said, there are a number of things to look for when comparing preschools and elementary schools.
Choosing a school is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make for your child. To some extent, this has always been the case. Your parents likely looked at the quality of the schools in various areas before deciding where to live, for example.