Top Ten Signs of a Great Fit Between Your Child and School

1. Your child is eager to go to school and energized and happy at the end of most school days
2. Your child regularly has to work hard to learn and perform in school work
3. Your child regularly experiences success learning and performing in school work
4. You see big progress in your child’s overall development — academic, social, emotional and physical
5. Your child is learning and performing academically at the level of which you think (s)he is capable
6. Your child’s teachers really understand and appreciate your child’s strengths
7. Your child talks about school positively, using words like “fun,” “interesting,” or “cool”
8. You and your child feel positive about your child’s health, behavior and personal well-being at school
9. Your child has friends and acquaintances who like, accept and treat your child kindly at school
10. School work and friends are important, but not all-consuming, parts of your child’s life

Adapted from Picky Parent Guide: Choose Your Child’s School with Confidence, The Elementary Years (K-6). © 2004 by Armchair Press, LLC. All rights reserved.