by: Colin Aschaye

As the quality of public schools is often less that what many would like, parents are looking for private schools for their children. When seeking a good private school, look for quality at a price you can afford. Given below are some guidelines to assist you:

1. Check the telephone directory's yellow pages. Some institutions may be listed under the "private school" section. Or they might be found in the business pages alphabetically if you know the name. You could try directory assistance to see if there is one or more such schools in your area.

2. You can also get a lot of information through the websites of local schools. Search on Google for the websites of local private schools. Websites can provide information such as school's mission, curriculum, schedule, and fees. Based on that information, you can better decide which schools to set visitation appointments with.

3. Ask relatives, friends, and co-workers to recommend a school that might help your kids. You may be able to compile a short list of schools that you would like to visit with or without your child.

4. Make a list of questions to ask before contacting or visiting a school. That way you will be prepared and not forget the important things you need to know. Also ask to see any brochures or school literature that can be mailed or picked up, since these pieces often include helpful details that you might not think to ask.

5. Take an extensive tour of the school. Visit classrooms, do a visual check of the surroundings, ask about extracurricular activities, and count and average the teacher-student ratios in the classrooms you visit. Find out academic and disciplinary standards for the school, too.

Finding a private school is important, so take time to plan your search, visit, and interview with the principal to make sure you cover all the areas that are important to you and your child. After all, you can't go back and re-do your child's education if the school falls short in some key ways. Make a determined effort to locate the most suitable school for your child's learning needs. At or following the initial visit, it may be a good idea to take your son or daughter for a tour to see if they find the school as appropriate a choice as you do.