The second most important decision you will make as a parent — apart from deciding to have a kid in the first place — is deciding which school for them to enroll in. Make the right decision and you could put them on a path toward lifelong learning, a prestigious college education and a successful career. Choosing the right school for your child or teen is important as it can have a big impact on their happiness and well-being as well as how well they do at school. Here are some processes you could work through with your child or teen to help make the right decision.

Make a list of schools near your home and any others you might want to consider. A good place to start is the “Find a School” search tool. When deciding which schools to consider, here are some practical things to think about and discuss with your son or daughter:

• What schools are their friends going to?
• Are there any schools that family or friends have recommended?
• How will your child or teen get to and from school? Is there a safe route to walk or cycle, or is someone available to pick them up? Or will they be catching a school bus?
• Will your child be able to meet up with friends after school? If your child is under 14,will he/she needs to be supervised before and/or after school?
• Does the school have a uniform?
• What are the costs to attend the school?
• Is there a school zone and do you live in it?

List your education priorities

Your priorities may vary depending on your child or teen’s talents and needs. What are you prepared to compromise on, and what are your `must haves’? Here are some examples of priorities that you might see as important:

• A strong emphasis on a particular curriculum area of interest to your child or teen, e.g. music or sport
• Additional support for special needs or talents. For example, your child or teen excels at math or is learning English as a second or additional language
• Particular subjects offered at senior level which supports your child’s career or academic aspirations.

Based on your priorities, you should narrow down your options to one or two schools. Taking the time to choose the right school together will benefit your child or teen in the long-term – both for their education and general well-being.