Greenberg Motzen was living in Philadelphia at the time and the closest school that more closely matched her family’s philosophies was located 18 miles away, with no bus service. Eventually, she elected to send her son to the more remote school, despite the distance.
“The first year he went to the Abrams Hebrew Academy in Yardley, Penn., I drove every day, sharing the driving with another parent. Eventually, more parents took their kids out and we were able to arrange bus service. In the end, we were very glad we made the switch. We were proud to have been the trailblazers for other Modern Orthodox families in northeast Philadelphia who had found themselves in the same dilemma.”
Perhaps one of the best ways to see if a school will be a good match for your child and family is to take advantage of any pre-admission opportunities to view the institution.
“Parents should visit the schools, they should read all the reading materials available, talk to the students and a get a feel for the place,” counseled Nancy Lerea, associate principal and director of admissions at SAR High School. “When families go to an open house and follow up with interviews and half day visits, they get a sense of whether their kids could imagine themselves here. I often hear from students that it is the half day visit that made them choose our school.”
It is also important to consider your own needs when choosing a school for your child.
“You don’t just choose a school, you choose a community,” said Erik Kessler, director of admissions, communications and human resources at The Moriah School. “How you see yourself and your family fitting in? If this is your first child and the average family has three or four children, you are talking about being in a school for 15 years or more.”
Kessler also stressed the importance of after-school programs – a tremendous benefit for families where both parents work full time – as well as special programs.
“Make sure a school has enrichment and resources programs,” advised Kessler. “Even if your oldest child doesn’t need it, one of your other kids might.”
What works best for one child doesn’t always work best for his or her siblings, said Yossi Prager, executive director for North America of the Avi Chai Foundation, who suggested that oftentimes different schools may be the best choice for siblings. Prager also counseled parents to look at more than just the curriculum when choosing a school.
“Look for a school that focuses on social and emotional needs as well as the academics. Beyond that, a lot depends on what families are looking for. Are they looking for better, more rigorous academics? To instill kids with curiosity? Competitive math and science? A sense of responsibility for the state of Israel? There are lots of things that are family specific.”
With so many considerations to bear in mind, the choices can be overwhelming, but according to Prager, there are two main factors in selecting a school.
“You want a school whose values match the family values and a school that wants a partnership with parents,” said Prager. “Those are the most important things.”
“A school that wants a partnership with parents,” said Prager.
Parents also have to keep certain practical matters in mind once they finally settle on what they believe is the best choice for their son or daughter. Remember that making that all important decision doesn’t necessarily ensure that your child will be accepted by the school of your choice, so be prepared with a backup plan. Finally, be sure to fill out all applications completely, accurately and on time, attaching all the required deposits and documentation. You don’t want your child to lose that coveted spot in the school of your/their dreams because of a preventable clerical error.