Finding the "right" high school is all about finding the best fit for your child and your family's values, view of education, and type of school partnership you are seeking as a family.
Where your child attends high school, how and what they are taught, and what ideas and options they are exposed to can all have a lifelong influence on their college and career decisions.
You can learn a lot about a high school within the first few minutes of walking onto their campus, but you want to be prepared with excellent questions to flesh out details on how the school operates. This will help you make an informed decision and feel confident that the school is the right fit.
Here are some examples of questions you might want to consider on your next High School tour.
Educational Approach and Curriculum
How do you teach math, science, engineering, and robotics? How do students learn real-life applications of science and math principles?
What kinds of reading and writing assignments are given, how much, and in what courses? Do students real whole novels? Why or why not?
Does your school allow/forbid/encourage/require any type of AI? Why/why not? In what context(s) or for what purposes?
Does your school provide devices for individual students? Do you allow families to provide them if preferred?
What electives and after-school programs are available for individual interests, clubs, athletics, or competitive teams?
Durable Skills
Tell me how my child will develop durable skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, leadership, and metacognition.
Do you use an inquiry-based teaching approach? How often do students do worksheets in class or for homework, vs. hands-on learning?
Describe how you incorporate character education. How do you encourage respect, collaboration, and conflict resolution?
What opportunities will my child have to interact with members of the community or perform acts of service outside the school with their class?
Grading System and Assignments
What grading scale is used? How are grades and transcripts accessed?
How are assignments communicated during the school year?
How much autonomy do high school students have to monitor their assignments, grades and GPA? How much are parents expected to be involved, or do students have the opportunity to learn individual responsibility?
What guides the teachers' instruction? Is it textbook-driven? Do you adhere to any state or international standards?
Graduation Requirements and College/Career Counseling
Where can I find information about graduation requirements and course of study?
Do you require foreign language? How many years, and what level of proficiency is required to graduate?
How much individualized college and career guidance is offered, and starting in which grade level? How frequently will my student meet with an advisor?
What kinds of opportunities will they have to visit outside companies, college campuses, and/or hear about career options across a variety of fields?
Costs Beyond Tuition
How frequently will my child have the opportunity to go on field trips? For what purpose? Is there an extra cost incurred?
Do families need to purchase curricular materials such as textbooks or classroom supplies separately from tuition?
Are there any other "hidden" or extra costs we should be aware of?
We hope these questions will help you make an informed decision about your child's high school trajectory.
Do you have some specific questions, or want to know about All Nations Community School? We are a Christ centered, globally minded school welcoming students from all backgrounds. We serve grades pre-k (age 3) through High School in the North Houston area.
Feel free to inquire here!
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