Choosing the best school for your child
Featured in the Age’s Independent Schools Special on Saturday 8 February 2025 – Principal, Susan Just contributes to the conversation on the need for families to carefully consider a variety of attributes, values and offerings of schools for their child.
There are countless opportunities for families to figure out whether a school is the best fit for their child, writes Nathan Scolaro.
“Choosing the right school for your child is one of the hardest decisions parents have to make”, says Dr Toni Meath, principal of Melbourne Girls Grammar School.
“The right school is one where a child can explore their interests, grow personally, make life-long friends, develop their independence and confidence, and truly discover the joy of learning.”
When it comes to making this decision, schools provide families with a range of opportunities – including open days, tours and question and answer sessions – to become familiar with the school’s values and approach to curriculum.
Meath says tours are a great way for families to get a feel for the school, and how students experience it. “We always hold our tours during the school day because we want parents to see the relationship between teachers and children,” she says. “We make sure there is the opportunity to see the school in action: the learning and teaching, social interaction between students and staff, and specialist activities.”
At Lauriston Girls’ School in Melbourne, regular Experience Lauriston events are held through the year, with presentations from the principal, staff and students followed by student-led small group tours.
Lauriston principal Susan Just says the Experience Lauriston mornings and school open days are important opportunities for parents to visit the school and hear from both staff and students.
Susan goes on to elaborate, “We also offer small group or individual tours with our admissions staff throughout the year when families are unable to attend our Experience Lauriston mornings.”
Just says there are several factors families take into consideration when
deciding what school is best for their child. These can include everything from whether a family has an affiliation or history with the school to how their child’s interests and attributes align with the school’s programs and values.
Just continues, “when families take a tour and meet the students and staff, they will begin to understand the culture of the school, which is important in deciding whether it will be a good fit for their child.”
Meath adds that many families will choose a school based on its reputation for academic excellence and the cocurricular opportunities they offer.
“For example, many have heard of our Grammarians’ achievements in various fields, from rowing to music, football to debating, and they want their child to have access to those programs,” she says.
“Families with a child interested in performing arts could buy tickets to our senior years’ production before their child starts at MGGS,” she says. “It’s a great way to see this part of the school in action and to nurture the aspirations in their budding young performer. Some families also sign up for our swimming and holiday programs.”
Lauriston’s focus on STEM and strengths in sport, music and visual arts is a similar point of interest for parents, says Just.
“The way in which students currently attending the school speak about their school experiences, and their own confidence and readiness to articulate their thoughts will also form part of the considerations for prospective families,” Just says.
Meath encourages parents to look at the breadth and depth of programs offered, as well as the size of the school and the calibre of its teachers.
She observes that many families narrow their options to a small pool by putting their child’s name down at a number of schools early on, and leaving the opportunity to make the final selection two to three years out from the point of entry.
“This enables them to discover the nature and interests of their child and the type of school that will best enable them to flourish,” Meath says.
She also recommends creating a shortlist of schools that potentially suit your family, and then work on the pros and cons of that list.
“Find a place where you and your child will feel part of a community, where their learning potential will be maximised and where they’ll feel free
to explore their passions and interests.”
Just says Lauriston provides families with a variety of online publications which give useful insights into the school’s culture and student experience. “Gather as much information as possible,” Just says.
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