Few decisions are as important as choosing an elementary, middle, or high school for your children. Realtors tell me that people buy homes depending on the school district serving those homes. Yet when I ask folks why they chose a certain school, they often have very little idea other than what they hear from friends or from their realtors.

“We just chose the best school,” they say.

Oh.

Choosing a school is like choosing a car, only without anyone saying, “What do I have to do to get you in a fourth grade class?” What’s right for one family is entirely wrong for another. You can choose the “best” car, say a $200,000 hand-finished Bentley, and despite its elegance and finesse, it’s probably going to be impractical, worthless for your needs. Looks good to the neighbors, but not much use to your kids. Same with schools. You can choose the most expensive private school in your city, and despite its proud history and achievements, it may be the wrong fit for your child.

Plus, there are so many choices! Public, private, parochial, charter, independent, even online and home school consortiums (many parents pitching in, each sharing particular talents) are available. Come to think of it, it can be even more perplexing than choosing a car!

So, what to do?

Later this week, I’ll cover the key principles to consider before choosing a school…