What do you think are the most important factors in choosing a school for your child?

Five Most important Factors In Choosing a School
1. School culture and teaching philosophies - encourage independent thinking, not learning by rote
2. Enthusiastic, passionate and inspirational teachers
3. High standards with support to reach those standards
4. Previous academic results
5. Extracurricular activities offered

What would be the best Melbourne school taking these factors into consideration?

What do you consider important factors when selecting a school? If youre looking beyond the local public school, think about what will work for your childs characteristics, personality, strengths, needs and interests.

Possible Important Factors
- Location to where you live
- Facilities available at the school
- Parent and family involvement opportunities
- Previous academic results
- Enthusiastic, passionate and inspirational teachers
- High standards with support to reach those standards
- Encourage independent thinking and not learning by rote
- Performance in sport and music
- Number of students enrolled and class sizes
- Religious education offered
- Before and after school care
- Behavioural management
- Affordability
- Single sex or co-educational
- School culture and teaching philosophies
- Going to the same school as friends
- Options for special needs and interests
- Counselling and welfare services
- School camp trips offered
- Acceleration programs
- Compulsory uniform
- Homework policy
- Discipline policy
- Extracurricular activities offered

I would be interested in knowing more about experiences from those that have attended an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. I have been told that students in these programs develop strong strong academic, social and emotional characteristics.

I would love to hear from someone who has actually been through the system.