Finding the Right School for Your Child

Emily Johns, writer for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, had good advice for parents looking to find the right school for their children: Remember that "Every child is different; the best school for one isn't necessarily best for another." 

I couldn't agree more with her.  It is important, as she says, to consider what schools have to offer and which one would be the best fit for your child.  The one problem with what she says in her article Plan ahead to find right school for your child is that the fit seems to be more parent than child directed.  She asks, "Do you want your child to speak a second language? Or be a math and science whiz?"  I understand that a parent might want a child to learn another language, but can we make a child a math "whiz" if math is not that child's strength?  I would prefer asking questions like "Is your child good with language?  Does your child enjoy math?"

If you are looking for the right school or program for your gifted child, you definitely want to make sure it is the best fit for your child.  Take a look at the schools and programs and see if they meet the criteria of a good program for gifted kids.  The kind of programming available is more important than whether the school is a public or private one.