Many parents for various reasons decide to consider changing schools. They do this for good reasons and bad reasons (see earlier posts). When parents have reached the point where they are considering this change, there is one common question I hear: “Is it too late?” Parents ask this during the elementary years sometimes, but they almost always ask it during the Middle School and High School years.

My interaction with people during this difficult time of decision is colored by my experiences at Veritas Academy, but I think that the answers to the question are applicable for all families making this difficult decision. Usually at Veritas, they look at our website, get to know our school, and want their child to come to Veritas, but they are concerned that their child will be able to do what kids at Veritas are doing. (Little do they know that with the growth at our school many of the children who are doing the things that amaze them had parents asking those very questions during the last couple years!)

Here are three questions to consider when you are thinking through that those critical issues surrounding your decision to transfer. Here are the top three issues:

Issue 1: Know the Age of Your Child!

This sounds sort of weird, but it is the area where I see parents making some of the biggest mistakes. Children 5^th grade and under need parents to make decisions for them. I think that talking to your child about the move that you feel that you need to make is ok. Giving much weight to their opinion is more than they should have to bear. They are not (because of their lack of experience) capable of seeing and understanding the issues that might make a change necessary. On the other hand, you must (MUST) take an older students’ opinion into account. Younger students need to follow your lead. Older ones need to as well, but if they are set against the move, they can wreck the change. You need to talk with the leadership of the school where you are going and you should either take your older (especially high school) student’s questions to the meeting or, better yet, you can take the student to the meeting. Middle School student are, surprise, somewhere in the middle and parents need to make prudent judgments about how much to listen to them or how much to ask them to follow your lead.

Issue 2: Will Your Child be a Number or a Name?

Besides knowing your child, you need to know the school’s approach to transfer students: will your child be a number or a name? Sometimes I am reviewing the academic records of students. I see some who have been in a number of different schools. Sometimes I see class choices that just don’t make sense. When I ask the parents, they typically say: “That was just what all 6^th graders had to do at that school.” That is not a good enough answer—particularly if it is being required in a number of different areas. Schools need to be flexible enough to deal wisely with your child. They must be a name… not a number.

Issue 3: Does the School Have a Process and a Plan?

The school needs to have a process and a plan. Transfer students will need help adjusting to a new academic environment. Does the school have learning support? Is that support pointed toward helping students thrive or is it focused on getting students to meet minimum standards?

Also, does the school have a plan? Are they looking at your child and trying to find the best way to help them thrive.

Look for schools that have high standards and a good process and plan to help your child reach those standards…while joyfully thriving.