How I Chose an Elementary School for My Son: A Parent and Educator's Perspective
By Kristen Powers
Choosing an elementary school can feel overwhelming, even for educators. As both a parent and learning professional, I recently found myself navigating many of the same questions families face: Which school philosophy is the right fit? How much recess is enough? What role should technology play in the classroom?
This process became especially real for our family as we prepared for a cross-country move. As this school year comes to a close, my family and I are moving from the West Coast to the East Coast. While we are excited about this new chapter, I have two children, and the big question for me is where to send them to school. My older son is entering second grade, and my younger son will attend preschool. Read more about that here.
As an educator and learning professional, this is my wheelhouse. I should know exactly what I am looking for, right? But throughout this process, I have acknowledged that the educational environment I choose for each of my children is not about finding a perfect fit, but about making compromises in different areas to find schools that work holistically for both my child and our household.
Why Choosing an Elementary School Isn't About Finding the "Perfect" School
Before we toured schools, my partner and I spent time identifying what mattered most for our son specifically. Rather than focusing on rankings or reputation, we started by thinking about how he learns best, what supports his success, and what experiences we wanted him to have during his elementary years.
We are moving back to the same neighborhood where we lived when Timmy was in preschool and before Jake was born. While we have the privilege of familiarity with the area, what I am looking for in a school has shifted now that I know Timmy more deeply as a student and understand what he needs to succeed and thrive as a learner.
What I Prioritized When Evaluating Elementary Schools
Multiple Recesses and Daily Movement
Timmy thrives when his body is moving. He is an athlete who enjoys playing sports, and he is his "best self" when he is physically active. Outside playtime is what he needs for sustained focus in the classroom and for social thriving, which means twice-daily recess breaks are essential for him.
My partner and I kept recess at the forefront of our search. As an educator with extensive experience in elementary classrooms, I feel confident supporting and supplementing his academic needs at home, but daily movement opportunities are not something I can easily replicate. Because of this, twice-daily recess and a robust P.E. program are important to us.
Music and Art Programs
Music and art specialist classes were two non-negotiables. At his current school, Timmy does not have access to an art program, and this has been disappointing. I'm not naturally artistic myself, so this is an area where I do not feel especially comfortable supporting him at home. A strong art program with at least weekly art classes felt vital in our decision-making process.
Music is currently not Timmy's favorite class, but as an educator who studies brain development and learning, I know how important music education is to development across content areas, particularly in math. A quality music education feels like a crucial piece of his overall learning experience.
Walkability and Family Logistics
Because we are moving into an urban environment, walkability is another must-have for our family. The neighborhood does not offer buses, so parents are responsible for getting students to and from school. We will likely be a one-car household, making walkability crucial to maintaining the daily rhythm of our family life.
While I am sure we will drive on busy mornings, knowing that we will walk home together each afternoon is something we are all eager to begin. I'm already imagining sunny afternoons stopping by the playground or library on our way home from school, with our dog in tow.
Factors That Were Important, But Not Essential
Smaller Class Sizes
According to Timmy's teacher, he is a compliant and quiet student in the classroom. He has not demonstrated significant academic or behavioral needs thus far, and because of this, he can sometimes become a student who is unintentionally overlooked.
As a teacher, I understand that running a classroom of 25 unique students is an enormous role and responsibility, and I can acknowledge that in my own classroom, I had students who I overlooked due to students with high needs who received most of my attention and time. All this to say, a smaller class size of 20 students or fewer became an important part of our search.
Reduced Screen Time
Timmy loves screen time (like many children do), but he struggles with transitions away from screens. Classrooms built around Chromebooks, 1:1 iPads, and other electronic devices are not environments where he functions best. A lower-technology setting with more paper-and-pencil learning was another strong preference for our family.
Exploring a Classical Education Model
In my own teaching and educational experience, I previously knew very little about the Classical educational approach and its pedagogical framework. During our search, we found a school rooted in the Classical model and decided that, with more understanding and research, this learning environment could be a strong fit for Timmy as a student.
He loves reading longer stories and books, and he enjoys memorization, learning through songs, poems, and play. This approach is different from any school environment he has experienced before, but it felt like a compelling opportunity to explore.
Educational Decisions Are Family Decisions
If you are partnered and/or co-parenting, it is important to recognize that educational decisions often involve compromise. Your vision may not fully align with your partner's or co-parent's, and if your child is older (particularly in high school), their goals, interests, and preferences may also differ from yours. Education is often not a unilateral decision, but a family decision.
Personally, we gave Timmy some say in his new school by attending virtual tours together and allowing him to "meet" prospective classroom teachers over Zoom. This has helped him feel more comfortable and included in the process. Since we are choosing a school sight unseen, Zoom has helped Timmy envision his future school and identify what matters most to him, which is seeing the playground and library.
Final Thoughts on Choosing an Elementary School
Ultimately, this process has reminded me that choosing an elementary school is not about perfection, but about balancing logistics with what your child needs as a learner.
As parents, we are balancing academics, logistics, emotional well-being, family rhythms, finances, personalities, and values when choosing the best educational environment. Even as an educator, I've found myself sitting with uncertainty, weighing trade-offs, and hoping we are making the best decisions we can with the information we have.
While there are still uncertainties about how Timmy will adjust to his new school, I know that children thrive when they feel known, supported, connected, and excited to learn. Schools matter deeply, but so do home life, relationships, routines, and a child's sense of belonging.
Our hope is not to find a "perfect" school, but a community where Timmy can continue growing into himself with confidence, curiosity, and joy.
Need Help Navigating School Choices?
Every child learns differently, and finding the right educational environment can feel overwhelming. Teach Play Learn's education consultants help families evaluate school options, understand educational philosophies, and create personalized educational roadmaps based on each child's unique needs.
