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| | 1.3) How to determine the quality of a school
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| | | Based on the criteria that you find important, how do you actually go about finding a good school? Because you are entrusting your child to someone else, it is important to thoroughly research and shop around for a good school. |
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| | | a) Research and shop around
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| | | | Find out about the school, their history, their philosophy, their teachers and credentials, the classes they have to offer, their location and basic costs. You can use the above criteria as a guideline for what to ask schools.
You can search through our school profiles, collect pamphlets from schools, or call the schools directly. Most schools with websites will have schedules and some general information about their school. |
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| | | b) Ask around
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| | | | Ask friends, teachers and other parents if they recommend a particular school and why. Remember, not every child thrives in the same environment, so, just because one child likes a particular school or teacher doesn’t necessarily mean that your child will also like the same. If your child’s friends are also taking dance classes, find out what school they attend; your child may enjoy the experience more if he/she is surrounded by familiar faces. |
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| | | c) Visit the school and classes
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| | | | One of the best ways to learn about a school is to visit the school yourself. Take a tour of the studios. Is the staff friendly, accommodating and eager to answer your questions?
Even more importantly, watch a dance class. See if the teacher is paying attention to the students and encouraging them in a positive manner. How well does the teacher interact with the students? Are the children enjoying the class and having fun? |
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| | | d) Meet with the teacher
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| | | | When visiting a school, see if you can arrange to meet with the teachers that would be teaching your child. Find out the teacher’s credentials, performance/professional background, years of experience teaching and years of experience with children, particularly your child’s age group. Make sure to ask questions that are specific to your child’s needs. If the class has more than one teacher or has assistants, you may want to meet with them also. |
