Selecting the best school for your child is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make as a parent. With hundreds of new schools emerging every year in a growing city like Ratlam, parents are often confused, and some are simply passing along whatever little knowledge they have to their children.
A great school will not only provide the foundation for your child’s future but also help shape your child’s character and provide an environment that allows them to grow. But how do you figure out which school is a truly great school for your child? You can avoid a lot of confusion by asking the right questions before making a choice.
In this blog, there will be a discussion of 5 questions that every parent should consider before selecting a school in Ratlam. These questions will help guide you in making a smart and informed decision.
1. Which curriculum does the school follow, and how does it meet my child’s needs?
Admissions can be a nerve-racking time, especially when most of the time, the most important question most parents are not asking is: What curriculum does the school follow? In Ratlam, schools typically follow one of four curricula: CBSE, ICSE, State Board (MP Board), and/or international curricula.
Each version has a different approach to teaching students and emphasizes different competencies. For example, CBSE is a recognized national curriculum good for students wanting to pursue entrance exams such as NEET or JEE; however, ICSE puts more emphasis on English and gravitates toward a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
The MP Board curriculum can be the least expensive and is most prevalent in local government schools and some local private schools.
Where should parents begin? First, ask yourself what your child needs. Does your child enjoy hands-on learning? What are your aspirations related to competitive exams? What is important to you? Do you want your child to have a strong language base? Understanding which curriculum suits your child’s needs and your desires for what your child needs is important.
Also, as a parent, ask if the school has a regular assessment schedule, project work, or skill-based learning. Some schools even have blended curricula or offer international experiences. Always ask the school about how their curriculum will support your child’s growth, not just academically but as a skilled, competent, and creative person with values.
2. Are the teachers qualified and experienced to manage my child’s learning needs?
Educators are the backbone of any school. Visiting a school? Make sure to ask: Who will be teaching my child? Having a qualified and trained teacher is vital to a child’s success and sense of belonging.
Ask about the teachers’ education, training background, and experience. Are teachers keeping abreast with new teaching techniques through ongoing professional development? Do they know about student learning styles and learning differences? A great teacher is one who does not just teach the subject but teaches with passion and enthusiasm and strives to motivate, guide, help, and support each student.
Also, ask, What is the teacher-to-student ratio at the school? Smaller classrooms provide a more personal experience for your child. In overcrowded classrooms, it is difficult for teachers to give personal attention to students if they need it, especially for shy children and slower learners.
A good school invests in teachers, and great teachers are developed through regular workshops, seminars, and feedback sessions. Friendly, enthusiastic teachers create happy, positive classroom environments. Talk to current parents or at least observe a demo class if possible, so you can see for yourself how teachers engage with students daily.
3. What safety and security measures does the school employ?
Your child’s safety should always come first. Before deciding on a school, ask outright: What are the safety precautions? Ideally, a school will have a full security policy/procedure in place to collect the proper information on each student.
Look for existing CCTV cameras inside classrooms, in hallways, on school buses, and at the entrance. Ask about trained security guards, and if entrances have checks for identification passes (at the very least) and restrictions on entry/exit. Some schools offer mobile applications that allow the parents a means of tracking their student’s location, transportation, attendance, etc.
Further, ask how the school deals with emergencies regarding procedures. What they do for medical emergencies, fire drills, or natural disasters. Will a medical professional be present to assist with first aid?
Lastly, mental/emotional safety is also an issue. Most schools have posted Bullying Prevention Policies, zero tolerance basically, and will examine a Policy on respectful behavior by or between students. Ask the school custodians how they address Discipline Policy issues, and when complaints arise, the school should examine an avenue for improvements without parental influence.
Rest easy. Knowing where your student is and that they are in a secure, safe environment allows the student to concentrate better and focus their mind on learning, rather than worrying about the quality of safety. The best answer you can have is to get a full check before accepting any type of acceptance agreement for admission.
4. Does the school provide extracurricular and co-curricular activities?
Education consists of more than academics. When choosing a school, ask yourself: What non-academic activities does the school offer? A good education includes sports, arts, music, dance, drama, and many other activities to facilitate the development of your child.
Be sure to find out if the school has sports tournaments, annual days, debate competitions, or cultural events. These activities help children build self-confidence, teamwork, creativity, and leadership ability to enable them to become more productive members of society. Students who participate in these types of activities also usually achieve higher grades academically because they are more confident and physically active.
Be sure to ask whether the school has playgrounds, a music room, a dance studio, or an art and crafts room. Ask whether students are expected to join clubs – science club, nature club, drama club, and public speaking club, etc. Occasionally, the school may support community service opportunities and field trips, which provide children with valuable insights into real-world problems and develop their sense of community responsibility.
All of these activities develop life skills and help mould your child into a confident, creative, and socially conscious person. A school that promotes a healthy balance between academics and extra-curricular activities will help to not only develop your child as a student but also as a person.
5. How does the school sustain a positive learning environment and students’ emotional well-being?
Children today experience pressure from all corners (home, their peers, and studies). Which brings us to the point: how does the school look after the emotional and mental well-being of the children it serves?
A good school is, of course, concerned about grades, but just as importantly, it is concerned about kindness, positive mental health, and happiness. Is there a counsellor or someone like a wellness teacher who students can speak to when they are feeling stressed or down? Some schools regularly schedule sessions on mindfulness, meditation, or emotional intelligence.
Take a look at the school’s discipline policy—Is it fair and respectful? Do teachers institute positive behaviour and calmly solve problems, or is there a punishment-based approach? Having a healthy environment, where children feel safe to share their feelings of frustration without fear of adverse judgment and unjust reprimand, is paramount.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio? The lower the number of students per teacher, the better, as teachers will be able to give much more personal attention to each child. In classrooms, low student-to-teacher ratios mean children feel seen, felt, and cared for.
A positive and accepting environment builds self-esteem and self-respect and provides emotional balance. Choosing a school that cares for the mental well-being of your child is one of the best decisions you will ever make.
Why Choose Morning Star School In Ratlam?
Morning Star School, Ratlam, provides a balance between academic achievement and character-building experience. This CBSE school in Ratlam utilises the CBSE curriculum to promote conceptual understanding rather than restraining students with unnecessary text memorisation.
At Morning Star, experienced teachers, modern classrooms and a strong focus on discipline and monitoring lead many parents to trust the school. The strong attention on safety, with CCTV surveillance external and internal, and a safe transport facility, leads parents to be less concerned about safety issues.
This is equally shared through sports, arts and cultural programs provided for a rounded experience. If you are a parent looking for a nurturing family-based education in Ratlam, choose the reliable and trusted experience at Morning Star School Ratlam.
Conclusion
Selecting a school in Ratlam isn’t just about great facilities or an impressive reputation. Consideration needs to be made about identifying a school where your child can develop, learn, and feel safe. In asking the five important questions, you can better understand what the school offers, rather than what it merely appears to show.
The five areas – curriculum, quality of teachers, safety, activities, and emotional care all contribute to your child’s future. So take care, visit schools, engage with teachers and other parents, and a sound decision can emerge. Good schools today lead to a better future for your child.
A brighter future begins here at Morning Star. Book your campus tour now!