Finding the right school for your child in the Bay Area
Whether you are relocating from another city or moving within the nine counties, finding the right Bay Area school can been a challenge. Finding the right school can dictate what neighborhood you move into, but in some Bay Area school districts you can apply to schools outside of your neighborhood. This can be a positive alternative for a family who wants to move into one neighborhood, but is attracted to a school in another, or it could just add to the confusion of choosing the right school for your family and child. Navigating the Bay Area public schools, private schools, and charter schools can be a challenge, and California schools no longer have the stellar reputation they once had a couple of decades ago.
When choosing a school you need to keep in mind the schools' scores and rankings, but where one person's child succeeds does not insure your child's success. It is widely believed that tests, scores, and rankings are socioeconomicly bias and therefore do not accurately depict a school's ability.
The Bay Area has a myriad of resources for parents looking for the right school for their child. GreatSchools.net provides parents with the information they need to choose schools, support their children's education and improve schools in their communities. Choosing a Public School gives details on teachers, student-teacher ratios, location, and rankings for grade schools, middle schools, and high schools in San Francisco, and The San Francisco Bay Area School Ratings Guidebook. According to Mark Mastracci, the book's author "This guidebook makes it easy for parents to compare schools across the entire San Francisco bay area, not just in one city or county… this book will help you make the best decision for your child."
In addition to these resources, you will want to think about if your child will be comfortable in the school, your child's needs (i.e. if your child is inspired by painting, make sure the school has an art program), the age of the textbooks and material, the student-teacher ratio, the after school programs, the neighborhood's safety, and transportation for your child to and from school, among many other things that are personal to your decision. Another resource that can help you to learn more about the schools you are considering is SchoolMatch, Inc. SchoolMatch, Inc is a “is a research and database service company that collects, audits, integrates, processes and manages information about public and private elementary and secondary schools.” However, the statistical information provided should not be used instead of, but in addition to your own research, school visit, and teacher interviews because as stated before statistics can be deceiving.
Moving can be an exciting adventure and a scary challenge for children and their families. If your neighborhood school does not fit your needs the Bay Area has private schools, public school transfers, year round schools, charter schools, and, if you choose, home schooling options for your child. Though the school system is seemingly difficult to navigate there are rich resources for parents and guardians looking for the right Bay Area. Once you've narrowed down your list of potential schools nothing beats a personal visit and meeting with the child's potential teacher and principal.
