Is This The Right Secondary School For Your Children

Hey there!
This might be the main concern for most of the parents out there
and now I'm going to answer your question.

Secondary school is a school which provide children with part or all of their secondary education typically between ages of 11-13 and 16-18. It comes after primary school  and may be followed by higher education or vocational training. Hence, it is very important for parents to choose the right secondary school for their children as this is the age where children develop into a better person and build in good personalities among themselves.

It's a decision that seriously stresses some of the most sanguine parents, so how do you go about deciding which secondary school is best for your child?
Basically, it's best to use a variety of antennae to suss a school out: ask around, be aware of a school's reputation, read their Ofsted reports online, be across the exam results and browse the school website.

However, it is also important to think of 

#1 What curriculum does the school employ?

It's always best to think ahead  where you child might work. Secondary school usually hold a series of open day for you or your child to pay a visit and get to know more about the secondary school.There is no substitute for actually visiting an open day when choosing right secondary school for your children.

#2 Has the school being accredited by an official body?

In Malaysia, Malaysian Qualification Agency is an example of official body that gives credit to the secondary school available in Malaysia. If yes? then how are their ratings on a national and international level? Usually it will be judged based on a few criteria that will be results of the school, qualities of the teachers, and testimonial by the students as well as co-curriculum activity that available in that school.

#3 What is your children opinion towards the school?

At this point, child of at age of teenagers now would have already developed an  intelligible opinion on what they want. It is imperative to  have them involved in such a critical decision. This is because it is important for children to like the environment of the school before he or she could adapt or excel well in any aspect. However, if your child is unable to give how they feel towards the school, parents can stand ahead and make the decision for the child if necessary.

#4 What happens on a typical day at school? 

Parents can choose to visit the school during weekday where students are at school and spot the environment whether it is suitable for your child or not.

#5 What is the lunch spread like?

Meal is something very important as well beside of the price of the food, parents should also be concern whether the school canteen cater to the needs of your child  nutritionally.

#6 What is the schools philosophy, goals and aims? 

For example some will have a strong  sports ethic, some will follow a religious affiliation and others promote individuality and artistic pursuits. Are you looking for a curriculum with balanced sporting and academic approach or one with strengths in artistic and musical area, or in science or maths? An environment with strong academic focus might be important to you, or perhaps one that teaches your child more about your religious views. It all depends on what's you think important to you and your child.

Education is not just for study but education also prepare ones for life. A good and clear aim or goals for a school is important to lead the certain school towards new height. Ask the school department for more about their vision and mission during your visit to their school so that you would not make a single regret. Are they tandem with the value you  hold or you want your children to practise? If yes, go ahead.

#7 Will the parents be actively updated on their children's progress in school?

Teachers-parents conference should be held every semester so that parents can monitor their child performance.

#8 How does school deal with its disciplinary cases?

Does the school have a good discipline? This can be seen at their students. If there're any disciplinary cases happens, school should inform parents immediately to correct their child from making the wrong thing all over again in the future.

#9 Will there be good pastoral care provided for the students?

Safety around the school is very important as well. Is there always cases like robbery happen around the school area? Well, no one wants to live in fear everyday when going to or back from college.

#10 How does the school help in getting students into good colleges?

This indirectly related to the reputation of the school. The counselling teachers in the school should be playing an important role in this as well to ensure that the students have a great chance to enter good colleges for a better future.

Other factors you could take into account include:

• the school previous academic results or performance in other areas such as the art, sports or community engagement.
• the school's religious affiliation or otherwise.
• the facilities the school has to support child's learning - such as library
• the school's size and number of children enrolled
• tour preference in relation in public versus private education
• location of school, cost or difficulty of travelling to and from school, and public transport options
• the connection between the school and the local community
• the opportunities for parent and family involvement with the school, and how communication between home and the school is managed.

Lastly, here's a website that might help in making decision :) 

All the best!

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