What made you choose, (or not choose) this school ?

The other day I was reading a review of a restaurant that said, "Do not go to this place! They do weird things like put strawberries in the spinach salad!" I'm sure that review deterred a lot of people. But not me. No review ever made me want to try a restaurant more. I tell you this because it is important to listen to why someone feels a certain way about a school. Over the years I have heard people express very different wants and expectations for their child's education. Some people want a rigorous academic curriculum. Some want fun, play and fantasy. Others want a strong balance of the arts and academic subjects.  I have even met people who never wanted their child to ever have to do something that they didn't want to do.

Obviously then, just because someone likes, or dislikes, a school, doesn't mean that you will too.  In fact the converse might very well be true. So before you do with your child's education what your friend or co-worker did with their child's education, ask them why they fell the way they do. Find out what things are important to them, and exactly what they want for their child.  They compare that with your own opinions and the school's philosophy.