Choosing an elementary school for your child can be a challenge — especially if you’re not exactly sure what to look for. Here are 10 questions to help you determine whether a school is right for your child. Remember that it’s important to visit any school you’re considering for your child in person so you can get a feel for the school’s culture and the learning environment.

Check out How to choose a school for your child. In our guide, you can see all the aspects of evaluating, visiting, and choosing the right school for your child’s unique needs. Then, you can search for schools near you.

  1. Does the school meet my basic needs?

    While it can be tempting to try for a school that’s on the top of everyone’s list, first make sure the school is a practical fit for your family. For instance, if you have to be at work at 8:30 a.m. and a school’s start time is 9:00 — with no early-morning care — that may be a deal breaker. By the same token, if there’s no bus and the school is 10 miles away, it may not be a good fit for your family. Finally, if it’s difficult or impossible for you to send your child to school with a lunch, ask if the school provides one and how much it costs (public schools all offer a free lunch for families who qualify).

  2. What’s the student-teacher ratio?

    When assessing a school, it’s important to consider how much individual attention your child will receive. This means finding out how big the classes are and whether the class has a teacher’s aid or other parent volunteers. For kindergarten through third grade, a student teacher ratio over 22:1 is large. For fourth grade and up, anything above thirty, without a full-time aid, is a lot for a teacher to handle. (Keep in mind that while research has confirmed the benefits of small classes in grades three and lower, there’s no empirical proof that large class sizes in upper grades affect how well children learn.)

    Note that many schools count staff (such as librarians) as teachers, which may drive down the student-teacher ratio but mean that classes are crowded and teachers overloaded. So if a school says their student-teacher ratio is 15:1 but you see that there’s one teacher in a class of thirty five students, it’s worth asking about the disparity.

    Also, ask about what kind of tutoring services or learning specialists the school offers. Do they offer “pull-out” tutoring in small groups, in which a student gets special instruction during school hours? Do the teachers or other staff offer after-school or lunch-time tutoring?

  3. How are behavior problems handled?

    While it can be uncomfortable to ask some of these questions — and may not make you the most popular parent on the tour — it’s important to get a sense of the school’s disciplinary climate.

    Every school should have an articulated disciplinary policy. Is it strict or lax? Do they have a more punitive approach, such as giving children demerits and eventual suspension? Or do they subscribe to “positive discipline,” with, for example, first a warning and then a consequence, like missing recess? Has the school implemented restorative justice practices, which can help students learn how to resolve their differences peacefully? If you’re in a state that allows it, does the school use corporal punishment? And if so, for what and can you opt your child out of it? Disciplinary policies vary widely. What’s important is that you are comfortable with the school’s approach.

    What are the school’s disciplinary stats? (Legally, schools must track and report basic disciplinary stats such as suspensions and incidents of violence to the state.) Be sure, too, to ask about their bullying policy. Has the staff received any anti-bullying training?

  4. What distinguishes this elementary school from others?

    Many schools — public and private — have special focuses, such as the arts, a language-immersion program, technology, or science. Get a clear sense of their commitment to this focus and if it meshes with your child’s interests, strengths, and personality. If the school has no particular teaching philosophy or curriculum theme, ask what the school is most proud of. Is it their parental involvement, their spacious garden, their art program with weekly visits from a museum docent? Does the school have a well-stocked library or a computer lab? This will give you a good sense of the school’s identity and values.

  5. How much homework is there?

    While most kindergartners don’t get much homework, find out how much homework is given in the upper grades. One rule of thumb is to give kids about 10 minutes a night per grade, plus nightly reading. Some elementary schools may only ask for nightly reading. Ask whether homework is a given over weekends, breaks, and holidays — or whether it varies from teacher to teacher. (This variation can be a red flag that the teaching staff is not all on the same page in terms of their teaching philosophy.) If your child is attending the after-school program, ask if the program helps kids with their homework and if there is room for your child or if there is typically a long wait list.

  6. How do you support children with different learning styles and needs?

    Depending on your child, you may be looking for different answers to this question. If your child is working above grade level, you will want a school where the teachers adapt assignments for accelerated learners or have special more challenging programs. If you have a child with a learning disability, you’ll want the school to have learning specialists and special programs with expertise in your child’s area of challenge. Does the school integrate kids with learning differences into the general classrooms? Or do they have separate classes for kids with special needs? Whatever your child’s needs, look for a school with the resources and expertise devoted to kids like yours. Otherwise your child may have a difficult time getting the education they need.

  7. What after-school activities are available?

    If your child needs after-school care, then find out what specific classes, sports, or activities are offered. Do they offer courses in art, music, drama, science, chess club, or free play? What kind of sports do they offer and do they provide any transportation to practices and games? What are the requirements for playing on a team? Again, find out if there’s any time to do homework and if there’s any homework support. Also, ask if there is typically space in these programs for all kids or if there is a long wait list.

  8. What’s the physical environment?

    If you have a child who needs plenty of room to run around and play during recess and P.E., it’s worth considering how much open space is available inside or outside. Also look for features like a school garden or auditorium. What do the classrooms look like? Do kids sit in a more formal layout with the teacher in the front and kids sitting behind individual desks? Or do kids sit at large tables in groups?

    Finally, consider safety when looking at the school’s physical layout. Are entrances and exits monitored so that kids can leave and strangers can’t get in? Is there a strict sign-in and sign-out policy?

  9. How are teachers supported and held to a high standard?

    It can be a challenge to understand the professional culture of a school. But it’s worth asking if teachers collaborate and have a unifying vision and goal for their students. Do teachers of the same grade collaborate on a curriculum, so you can expect them to cover the same material and give the same amount of homework? Do teachers have regular meetings to discuss projects, teaching techniques, and specific students? “Professional teaching community” is the lingo for a process in which teachers meet regularly to talk about their teaching challenges. (Research suggests this improves teacher effectiveness and morale.)

  10. What are the elementary school’s expectations for its students?

    Look up the school’s growth and test scores ratings on °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ and read parent reviews before you go on a tour. If the school doesn’t have high growth or test scores, ask why. The answers can be illuminating and can help you understand the school’s priorities. For example, an elementary school that’s a magnet for English language learners may perform at a lower level on standardized tests, because the kids are being tested as if they know English fluently. Keep in mind that growth scores are the best way to understand the value the school is adding.