Questions Parents Should Ask Before Enrolling a Child in a School

The short answer: ask every school the same questions, write down the answers, and ask for anything about money in writing. That makes it easy to compare schools fairly afterwards.

Before you go

Print or save this list. Use the same questions at each school so the answers can be compared side by side. Bring your child's latest report if you have it — some schools will want to see it.

About grades and curriculum

• Which grades do you offer, and how many classes (streams) are there in my child's grade?
• Which curriculum do you follow? If more than one, which one would my child be in?
• How many children are in a class, and how many teachers or assistants?
• How do you support a child who is behind, or one who is ahead?
• How often do you report progress to parents, and in what form?

About fees

• What is the full fee for my child's grade for each term of the year?
• Which charges are compulsory and which are optional?
• Are there one-time charges, such as admission, interview or development fees? Are any of them refundable?
• How much are uniform, books and other items, and must they be bought from the school?
• When are fees due, and do you allow instalments?
• How much have fees risen in the last few years?

Ask for the fee structure in writing. Our guide on comparing school fees explains how to read it.

About safety and wellbeing

• Who can collect my child, and how do you check?
• What happens if my child is sick or injured during the day?
• How do you handle bullying? Can you give an example of what you did?
• How are visitors to the school controlled?
• For boarding: who supervises children at night and at weekends?

About discipline and communication

• What is your approach to discipline?
• How do teachers contact parents, and how quickly do they reply?
• Is there a parents' association, and how often does it meet?

About transport, meals and activities

• Does your transport cover my area? What time is pick-up and drop-off?
• What do children eat, and can you manage allergies or special diets?
• Which activities are included in the fee and which cost extra?

See how to evaluate transport, meals and facilities for what to look for.

About admission

• When does admission open, and what are the steps?
• Is there an assessment or interview? What does it involve?
• Which documents do you need?
• How soon will we know the outcome?

Our admissions checklist helps you prepare the documents.

After the visit

Write down your impressions the same day, while you remember them. Note anything the school could not answer, and follow up by phone or email. A school that answers clearly and openly is usually a good sign.

When you are ready, use Find a School to send an enquiry to the schools on your list.