How to Identify The Best School For your Child

During the last few weeks, we’ve had several conversations with moms and dads, and coincidentally all of them centered around school admissions. One mom told us she’s going through hell and a lot of that has to do with the arguments she’s having with her husband over a particular school.

It is that time of the year when parents stand in queues, collect forms, submit them and then pray really hard. Some are lucky to get their kids into the school of their choice, some pull strings, some pay their way through and some settle with whatever comes their way. Whichever way, no one sails through without some anxious moments and nail biting.

The point being, is any school going to be good enough?
Even those whose children attend the schools perceived to be the best, will after sometime, find something to complain about. We are yet to hear a parent say ‘My kid’s school is fantastic. There is nothing wrong with it.’Identifying the best school for your child could turn out to be a nightmare if you are not prepared to look at the bigger picture.

And let us face it, while schools do shape your child’s formative years, if a school meets certain basic standards, your child’s probably going to turn out just fine.Let us not forget the role that parents play in the children’s upbringing. And let us not forget that many children around the world are home-schooled, by choice.

Plus, think about this:
Can you recall where Sergey Brin and Larry Page (the founders of Google) went to school? Or where Rajiv Chilaka (creator of Chhota Bheem) studied?  We could go on and on. The point being, that school is vital but getting your child into what is supposedly the best school, is not.

In any case, if one introspects, one would realize that a lot of anxiety stems from the fact that parents are trying to keep up with friends and family and also that the expectations parents setup for themselves are based on perceptions that are subjective. We agree with parents who probably don’t want their children to commute 2 hours just go to school X or have a 9 hour school day as is the case with school Y.

Always remember that the role of parents in the children’s upbringing is far more important than the name of the school on the School Leaving Certificate.

The Google Founders talk Montessori