If you choose to send your child to another school, you should visit the individual campuses and consider what matters most to you and your family. Here is a list of questions to ask, as well as important things to look for when visiting a school:
Questions to Ask When Visiting a School
- What is the school’s mission? The mission statement is usually a summary statement of the school’s values and purpose.
- What is the school’s approach to safety and discipline?
- How does the school monitor student progress?
- What strategies do teachers use to teach students with limited English proficiency?
- How do students get to school? Is bus transportation available?
- Are free or reduced-price meals offered?
- What extracurricular opportunities are available for students?
- How do fine arts fit into the curriculum?
- What rules and systems are most important in classrooms?
- Are there opportunities for parents to get involved?
- What systems do you have in place for students that are struggling?
- What is the typical class size? What is the maximum class size?
- If a child is excelling academically, are there advanced courses or enrichment programs?
- How is technology used to support teaching and learning?
- What are the school’s greatest accomplishments?
- What are the school’s greatest challenges?
- How do teachers communicate with parents?
- Are parent-teacher conferences scheduled regularly throughout the year?
- What is the student attrition rate? The student attrition rate represents the numbers of students dropping out?
- What is the teacher attrition rate? The student attrition rate represents the number of teachers leaving the school.
Things to Look For When Visiting a School
- Do teachers interact with their students in a positive manner?
- Do classrooms look cheerful?
- Are the students well-behaved as they transition in the hallways and play outside?
- Do the school’s administrators interact positively with students, teachers, and parents?
- Are the classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and outside areas of the school clean and well maintained?
- Are students adequately supervised by school personnel?
- Do students engage with each other in a positive way?
- Are the teachers keeping students engaged and thinking critically?
More from Dallas ISD
- Visiting a School: Questions to Ask and Things to Look For
- Understanding Your Options: What are Neighborhood Schools, Charter Schools, Magnet School and Private schools?
- Transfer Options Within Dallas ISD
- Charter School Options and the Application Process
- Magnet School / Program Options and the Application Process
- Career Academies and Pathways at Dallas ISD High Schools
- How Can I Get Involved at My Child’s School?