Review Academics The following questions are about the school's curriculum. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing your child's school curriculum:* Groups students by ability more, rather than less of the time Groups students by ability less, rather than more of the time The curriculum prepares my child for the next level (grade) The curriculum is preparing my child for college and career Emphasizes phonics and basic grammar De-emphasizes phonics and basic grammar Encourages exploration over wrote memorization more, rather than less of the time Encourages exploration over wrote memorization less, rather than more of the time Contributes success to student effort and highly skilled teachers Emphasizes student discipline over self esteem more, rather than less of the time Emphasizes student discipline over self esteem less, rather than more of the time Uses "level readers" Uses research-based instructional strategies Show more questions on Academics Please answer with as much detail as possible: How is the school at communicating the curriculum and academic strategies they use? What kind of math curriculum does the school use (please provide specific name if you know it)? What kind of language arts curriculum does the school use (please provide specific name if you know it)? How does the school approach (early education) or develop (middle and high school) the core content subjects? Reading? Writing? Math? Science? Social Studies? Describe how your child is exposed to different kinds of reading material (choice?). Does the school integrate reading and writing in other content areas? How? Describe how your child learns and practices math concepts. Does the school use research-based instructional strategies consistently across all teachers and all subjects? How does the school respond to students' different learning styles and needs? How does the school approach working with Gifted and Talented students? How does the school approach working with students with specific learning needs and gaps? Discuss the AP offerings? (please include the exact number of AP courses) Discuss the electives offered? How is access and availability? How does the curriculum provide enough rigorous preparation and alignment with state and/or national tests? Does your child require tutors to supplement the school's curriculum and compete with peers across the city? Please explain. Does your child have an Individual Education Program (IEP)? Yes No If yes, please provide some more thoughts: Discuss the school's resources for students with disabilities. Include the accessibility, faculty and staff resources, counseling, etc. Discuss how your child's needs are met specifically. Would you say the school is accepting and inclusive when it comes to students with disabilities? Please, explain and provide examples. Teachers and Administrators The following questions are about the school's teachers and administrators. Help us first get some basic information. Check the boxes that apply to your child's teacher/s: Total teaching experience:* 1-2yrs 3-5yrs 6-9yrs 10+yrs Time at this school:* 1-2yrs 3-5yrs 6-9yrs 10+yrs 25+yrs Education and training (check all that apply):* Bachelors Degree Masters Degree Doctorate Degree Majored in the area of which they teach Licensed in the area of which they teach Show more questions on Teachers and Administrators Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Discuss the classroom management strategies and style. Discuss the school leadership strategies and style. Describe the communication you receive from the teacher/s (include method, frequency, topics, etc.). Describe the communication you receive from school administrators. Describe the interaction you have with the teacher/s. Describe the interaction you have with the school administrators. Parental Involvement The following questions are about the school's atmosphere of parental involvement. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing your child's school's parental involvement:* There is a PTA Relies on PTA funding for clubs, activities, academics, and other large school initiatives Parents are involved in classroom activities Parents are involved in classroom activities Parents often go on field trips Incorporates the different backgrounds and cultural differences of parents more, rather than less of the time Incorporates the different backgrounds and cultural differences of parents less, rather than less of the time There are chances for parents to get involved frequently There are chances for parents to get involved infrequently Show more questions on Parental Involvement Please answer the following with as much detail as possible. Describe more about the PTA's involvement in fundraising for the school (Does the PTA fund clubs, sports, etc.?). How much? How are parents involved in the classroom (reading, presentations about culture)? Do you think there are enough opportunities to get involved? Why or why not? Describe all the ways parents get involved at the school. Discuss how the school approaches parent visits to the classroom and as chaperones for field trips. Social and Emotional Learning The following questions are about the school's social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing your child's school's inclusion of social and emotional learning:* Uses a formal social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum Emphasizes character development more, rather than less of the time Emphasizes character development less, rather than more of the time Bullying is an issue Bullying is not an issue Students work in a collaborative environment more, rather than less of the time Students work in a collaborative environment less, rather than more of the time Emphasizes self awareness Emphasizes self management Emphasizes relationship skills Emphasizes social skills Emphasizes responsible decision-making Show more questions on Social and Emotional Learning Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Describe the presence, or lack of presence, of bullying Describe how bullying is handled by the administrators and teachers. Discuss the level of which self-awareness and self-esteem are developed. Discuss how discipline is addressed. How does the school support or not support the development of responsible decision-making? Describe the acceptance for different individual personalities/behaviors. Describe the support and involvement from counselors. Diversity The following questions are about the school's diversity. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing your child's school's diversity:* The school is committed to diversity The school is not committed to diversity I would describe the school as ethnically and racially diverse I would not describe the school as ethnically and racially diverse I would describe the school as socially and economically diverse I would not describe the school as socially and economically diverse I would describe the school as being culturally diverse I would not describe the school as being culturally diverse The school's faculty and staff are diverse The school's faculty and staff are not diverse The school's faculty and staff are a reflection of the student body in terms of diversity The school's faculty and staff are not a reflection of the student body in terms of diversity Show more questions on Diversity Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Discuss the school's approach to including diversity in the environment and curriculum. Discuss the "level" of diversity at the school. Is it simply acknowledged and represented in statistics or is diversity fully integrated and part of the school culture? How is diversity addressed in the curriculum and learning? Are diversity experiences represented when it comes to topics studied, book choices, etc.? Please provide examples. Discuss the teachers' preparedness for and experience with teaching and nurturing diversity in the classroom. How does the school incorporate and recognize cultural differences among the students and families? Facilities and Resources The following questions are about the school's facilities. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing your child's school's facilities:* The school is overcrowded The school is not overcrowded The school is safe The school is not safe The school has good accessibility for students with disabilities The school does not have good accessibility for students with disabilities The school has good lighting The school does not have good lighting The school has good air quality The school does not have good air quality The school is easy to access from public transit The school is not easy to access from public transit School access ID's are required School access ID's are not required Show more questions on Facilities and Resources Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Discuss the average class size and teacher – student ratio Discuss the library and it's resources Discuss the gym and physical education space, equipment, and other resources Describe the cafeteria Discuss the space and resources for the nurse and health services Do all grades mix together and share facilities and resources? Please describe and explain Does the school share a location with another school? Describe the access to shared facilities and scheduling. Describe the look and feel of the facilities. Are they rundown, new, renovated, etc.? Please explain in detail Provide specific descriptions of the following: Science labs Fine and Industrial arts Music and dance practice and performance space Theatre and/or auditorium Arts The following questions are about the school's arts. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing your child's school's arts:* The arts are a big part of the school's identity The school takes the arts seriously The school does not take the arts seriously Arts are found mostly as extra-curricular activities outside of the school day Arts are found as extra-curricular activities and as part of the curriculum in the classroom There are plenty of options of arts electives Arts are integrated into the classroom frequently Arts are integrated into the classroom not frequently The school has photography The school has a band/s The school has a choral group/s Student artwork is displayed Student artwork is not displayed Show more questions on Arts Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Describe the music program (classes, bands, choral, etc.) Describe the course offerings for the fine arts (drawing, ceramics, etc.) Are there labs for photography, ceramics, sculpture, etc.? Please describe. Describe how the school values and acknowledges the arts? Discuss any partnerships or collaborations the school has with other institutions (The MET for instance). Are the art and music program/s reliant on that partnership? Does the school's budget assure permanent arts presence? Or, are the art and music program/s the result of corporate relationships and funding? Discuss the stability of the arts when it comes to funding. Are parents required to pay fees for instruments, art supplies, etc.? Please describe. Physical Education and Sports The following questions are about the school's physical education (PE) and sports program. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing your child's physical education (PE) and sports program:* PE is required for all grades PE is required for most grades PE is not required PE is not an option There are several organized sports offered There are very few organized sports offered There are no organized sports Organized sports are encouraged Recess time is more structured than unstructured Recess time is less structured than unstructured I think amount of recess time is appropriate I do not think the amount of recess time is appropriate Show more questions on Physical Education and Sports Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Discuss the amount of time your child spends in recess. What kind of activities does your child do during recess? Describe the playground or outside recess space. Please discuss safety and appropriateness of equipment. What organized sports are available? Describe the focus on sports. Is it a big part of the school culture? Discuss the level of competitiveness in sports at the school. Discuss the level of funding sports receive. Does the school cover the whole or most of the cost? Are there fees? How much? Technology The following questions are about the school's technology. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing the school's technology:* The school's technology is mostly up-to-date The school's technology is mostly outdated The school's technology is non-existent Classrooms are equipped with smart boards Students are provided with computers or tablets There are computers and/or tablets in the classrooms Show more questions on Technology Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Describe how technology is used in the classroom and curriculum. Include how lessons are made to be interactive. Describe how your child is taught how to use and understand technology. What is access to equipment like? Describe the equipment your child uses (ipad, kindle, laptop, etc.). Are families expected to have computers at home? Discuss the presence of new trends being used at the school. Are teachers using the "flipped classroom" technique? Extracurricular Activities The following questions are about the school's extracurricular activities. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing the school's extracurricular activities.* There are fees for all extracurricular options There are many extracurricular options There are few extracurricular options There are no extracurricular options There are fees for most extracurricular activities There are fees for a few extracurricular activities There are no fees for extracurricular activities There are after schools programs There are no after school programs Show more questions on Extracurricular Activities Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Describe your child's opportunities to be physically active before and after school. Describe the extracurricular activities in which your child is involved. Discuss whether or not they are sufficient activities to keep him or her engaged. Describe the fees and other parent obligations to include your child in extracurricular activities. Is transportation offered beyond the regular school day hours? Please describe. Please list the available options (i.e. clubs, school newspaper, student council, etc.) Language The following questions are about the school's language program. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply when discussing the school's language program:* There is a language other than English taught in the curriculum There is not a language other than English taught in the curriculum The school has a dual language program The languages taught are (check all that apply): Spanish French Arabic Mandarin Hebrew Italian Russian Dutch Latin Languages (other than English) are taught: 1-2 times a week 3-4 times a week 4 or more times a week Language instruction (other than English) begins in: K-1 2-3 4-6 7-8 9 Show more questions on Language Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: When, specifically, does the school start teaching language instruction? How is it included in the curriculum? Describe the school's language immersion, or dual language, program. Are the courses taught in a language other than English the whole time or just a few times a week? Please provide as much detail as you can. General The following are general questions about the school that provide quick, useful information. Help us first get some basic information. Please check all the boxes that apply:* There is a tuition fee There is no tuition fee There are scholarships There is financial aid The school culture is competitive The school culture is inclusive The school culture is formal The school culture is informal The school culture is conservative The school culture is liberal The school culture is serious The school culture is laid back The school is sports focused The school is arts focused The school is academic focused The school is focused on college admissions for all students Please answer the following with as much detail as possible: Describe the financial aid offerings and process Describe the available scholarships Tell us one thing this school should never change* Tell us one thing this school should definitely change or address Provide anything more you think parents should know about this school. Your response matters!*
