Your child's education can take place in a government-run school, an independent (private) school, or a religious school. Choosing where to send the child isn't that easy of a decision, and which school will be the best for your child relies on several issues and not just the educational reputation of the school.
Following the Australian Curriculum
All independent schools are supposed to use the Australian Curriculum, which is a standardized educational plan, and they're supposed to have their students participate in national testing. The schools can certainly provide more education and have higher standards. When you look for an independent school for your child, make sure that the schools you advance to the next round in your decision-making are ones that follow at least that national curriculum and testing requirement. That should serve as the basis for education for any school. Yes, you'll find independent and non-government schools that offer all sorts of educational opportunities, but at the core, the school should advance the national curriculum.
Uniforms or Free Dress
Some independent schools have uniforms, and others don't. This might not be your main concern, but it definitely affects your child in different ways. It's something to pay attention to. Uniforms take away the problems of wondering what to wear each day, and when kept within school regulations, you don't have to worry about your child being shamed for a dress code violation. However, uniforms cost money, they aren't always flattering (remember that on school picture day), and kids can create class signifiers out of anything. Uniforms might eliminate pressure to have designer clothing, but the "cool kids" can simply deem particular variations of the uniform as being cooler than others. You and your child have to decide which option will be easier to handle.
Assumptions About the Students
Some independent and non-government schools cater to specific populations, such as Catholic schools enrolling people who are Catholic. It's a safe bet to assume that most, if not all, of the students at a Catholic school are Catholic, for example. The questions you need to ask are what does the school expect of students who do not fit the assumed/majority population, and what resources or procedures does the school have for those students? Using the Catholic school example, sometimes a non-Catholic student might attend the school because of the school's reputation for excellent academics. How will the school follow its own guidelines while still respecting the non-Catholic student's own religion?
Write up a list of questions, and keep adding questions to it over the space of a couple of weeks. Then start calling schools, including private co-educational schools, and asking for tours and times to speak with an admissions representative. When you know what your child would encounter at the school, you'll be able to make a better decision.
Share17 January 2022
If you want to give your child the best start in life, you will want to make sure they receive a quality education. This website provides information and advice relating to K-12 educational opportunities. K-12 covers kids from the age of 5 to 18. While our contributors may not be professionals, they do have a lot of knowledge relating to subjects such as K-12 funding, different educational routes children can take, and the steps a parent can take to support their child as they transition from one school year to the next. Read on to discover everything you need to know!