Your decision
Decisions about where your child goes to school are very personal, and can be difficult. It’s common and normal for parents to feel anxious about getting this decision right.

For some parents, the decision is simple. Their children go to the local near school – the school in the same zone as their house. Other parents might want to look further  other government schools or private schools. 

Things to consider when choosing a school


If you’re looking beyond the local school, think about what will work best for your child’s characteristics, personality, strengths, needs and interests. You might also consider how different schools’ cultures and values sit with your family values and family life.

Other factors you could take into account include:

• the facilities the school has to support your child’s learning – such as playgrounds, library, home language support, music programs, clubs and sporting teams
• the opportunities for parent and family involvement with the school, and how communication between home and the school is managed
• the school’s size and number of children enrolled
• the school’s religious affiliation or otherwise
• your preference in relation to public versus private education
• the location of the school, cost or difficulty of travelling to and from the school, and public transport options
• your preferences or needs – for example, boarding, or the possibility of educating your child at home 
• the connection between the school and the local community
• the schools’ previous academic results or performance in other areas, such as the arts, sport or community engagement
• where your child’s friends are going.

Choosing a primary school 
The following questions might be useful if you’re thinking about primary schools:

• Will you and your child feel welcome at the school?
• Does the school offer a ‘transition into school’ program?
• What options are available for before and after school care? What do other parents you know think about the different schools in your area? What are their experiences?
• What approach does the school take to behaviour management?

Choosing a secondary school 
These questions might help you decide which secondary school is best for your child:

• What are the school’s admission procedures and entrance requirements?
• Are the school fees and other costs affordable?
• What study paths are available to your child at this school – State Board, CBSE, ICSE, International Baccalaureate (IB) and so on?
• How does the culture of the school match your family’s values – for example, uniform policy, attendance, emphasis on academic achievement, compulsory weekend sport and so on?
• What does your child want to do – based on primary school friends, opportunities provided by the school, career aspirations, motivations and so on? 
• Are there any scholarship programs available to your child, and is your child eligible?
• What languages and elective subjects does the school offer? How many subjects are available in the senior years?
• What extracurricular activities – sport, art, music, drama and so on – are available to suit your child’s interests? What are the time and costs associated with these?
• Does the school offer extension or accelerated learning programs for children?