“The true purpose of education is to prepare individuals to face life's challenges confidently and independently, while also fostering a spirit of generosity and courage”

Learning is a lifetime process and school education provides the base for an individual's ongoing learning. Just like a strong foundation is essential for a house to be sturdy and stable, a good school is crucial for a child's future.  Schools are considered as the 2nd home for the kids. At school, children learn basic skills such as reading, writing etc. They make friends, they learn to work in teams, share, and be considerate of others. School is a place where children can discover what they are good at and it instils confidence when they do well in the field. So, in a way**, a good school sets the stage for a child’s future.**

Parenting is hard?

As parents, it's important for us to provide our children with a good life and education, setting solid examples and building strong foundations for a successful future. Choosing the right school for your child can be a daunting task, especially considering the list of schools available in Bengaluru. With so many schools offering different environments, teaching styles and philosophies, the experience can feel overwhelming. But with the right help and careful research, one can find Bengaluru schools that fit perfectly with their children's academic, social, and emotional needs.

Understanding what your child needs

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

Abraham Lincoln quoted this, from which a parent can take reference while choosing the school for their child. What people tend to do nowadays is go online and directly search for terms like “school near me”, "best school in Bangalore”, “top 10 schools in Bangalore”, “Bengaluru schools”, etc. Before diving into the search for the best schools nearby, you should start by assessing your child's needs, strengths, and overall character. The first step in choosing the right school for your kid is to understand what type of student your child is. What type of environment will suit your child e.g. if a child excels in athletics, it would be prudent to enrol them in a school that offers robust athletics infrastructure and coaching.

Imagine a situation where a parent decides to move their child in Grade 2 from a state board school to an international school in Bangalore. Even if the chosen school is among the best schools in Bangalore, there's a possibility that the child may not match up in reading and writing skills compared to their classmates. In this case, while the parent believes they have selected the top school, the child could end up feeling overwhelmed and lacking confidence in the classroom.

Occasionally, parents may wish to enrol their child in the same school they attended. However, it's important to remember that just because a school is suitable for the parents, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the best fit for their child. It's crucial to take into account the unique needs of the child. Keep these considerations at the forefront, as you, more than anyone else, understand your son or daughter best.

Making a list of schools

Once you have a better understanding of what your child needs, you can decide and short list schools based on what you as a parent want keeping the needs of your child in mind e.g some parents might want a small classroom size, some might prefer co-ed classes, some might prefer a school with green campus and open area. Parents can also often weigh factors such as the child’s hobbies and skills, along with the range of extracurricular activities that cater to these interests. They may consider the school’s values, whether religious or otherwise, and how these align with their family’s principles. Additionally, the type of educational resources, like classroom technology, utilised by the school can also be key consideration. Other factors parents may tend to consider include CBSE vs ICSE school, teacher-student ratio, safety measures, academic performance and affordability.

Taking into account your own needs during this process isn't selfish. This includes considering factors such as the distance you're prepared to travel daily to take your child to school. E.g. Someone living in Nelamangala, Bangalore will try to find ‘school near me’ or the best CBSE schools in Nelamangala.

Evaluating & shortlisting schools

After creating a list of potential schools, the next phase is a thorough evaluation of each institution. This may include attending education expos and fairs to gain a general understanding of the schools. Additionally, speaking with other parents in your neighbourhood or residential complex to gather their opinions can be helpful. However, these reviews alone shouldn’t be the sole basis for your decision, as what works for one child may not work for yours.

People often research online and read online (Google) reviews to assess schools. While this provides some insight into the school, it’s important to ask what other information is known beyond just the ratings. To get a more comprehensive understanding, visiting the school's website is advisable, as the best schools in Bangalore  now offer detailed information about their facilities and programs.

Visiting prospective schools

In a typical school visit, parents fill the admission form of school while engaging in a preliminary discussion with an admission counsellor. The admission form of schools are more than just a paper formality. The kind of questions asked will give the parent an insight into the broader thought process of the school. For example, good schools in Bangalore may ask a few questions about the child to understand them better.

This is followed by a detailed school tour. This gives parents a chance to establish what expectations they have and what the school’s expectations are. You can ask questions about the qualifications of teachers, and how consistent the leadership and administration are. Ask as many questions as possible and try to understand the policy and philosophy of the school as your child is going to spend a significant part of the day there. While at the school, you can observe the classrooms to assess student engagement, how students and teachers interact with each other, and what sort of discipline the school follows. Also, try to interact with some of the parents and try to understand the school from their perspective and determine how well it aligns with your expectations.

At the heart of it, it finally comes down to happiness. If the child is happy, they are more likely to succeed, regardless of the curriculum. The final choice should be a joint decision between parents and the child. Ultimately, parents should pay attention to their children's opinions and trust their own instincts. Ask yourself:

Can you see your child being successful in this school? Does it feel like the right fit? If the answer is yes, go for it.