How to Choose the Right School
One of the most important decisions that every parent makes is choosing the best school for their children. This can be a very complicated decision. Here are some ideas to help you evaluate schools and make an informed choice.
Do Your Research: Scholastic Considerations:
What is the curriculum?
What are the SAT scores?
What grade does computer education start at?
What is the total student population?
What is the average class size?
What is the student-teacher ration for your child's grade level?
You can check out the Washington State Report Card provided by the Superintendent of Public Instruction here: http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/
The Renton School District borders the Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Tahoma, Kent, Highline and Tukwila school districts. A boundary map can be found here: http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/boundaries.htm. Even if your home has a Renton or Newcastle address, it might not be in the Renton School District. Don't rely on the maps alone. To be sure, you must call the Renton School District at 425-204-2300.
The Renton School District Website is: http://www.renton.wednet.edu/default.htm
Elementary Schools:
Benson Hill http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/bh.htm
Bryn Mawr http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/bm.htm
Campbell Hill http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/ch.htm
Cascade http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/casc.htm
Hazelwood http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/hzl.htm
Highlands http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/high.htm
Kennydale http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/kdl.htm
Lakeridge http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/lkr.htm
Maplewood Heights http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/mplw.htm
Renton Park http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/rp.htm
Sierra Heights http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/sh.htm
Talbot Hill http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/th.htm
Tiffany Park http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/tp.htm
Middle Schools:
Dimmitt http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/dms.htm
McKnight http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/mms.htm
Nelsen http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/nms.htm
High Schools:
Hazen http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/hhs.htm
Lindbergh http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/lhs.htm
Renton http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/rhs.htm
Additional Renton Education Sites:
Hillcrest Early Childhood Center http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/hill.htm
H.O.M.E Program http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/home.htm
Renton Academy http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/ras.htm
Black River High School http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/brhs.htm
Sartori Education Center http://www.renton.wednet.edu/schools/sec.htm
This list does not include private educational institutions. To learn more about private institutions near a home you are considering, ask your REALTOR.
Make Contact: Connect with Key People and Organizations:
Contact the Director of Computer Education at 425- 204-2403 to find out the student-computer ratio and if the district's teachers have participated in a computer training program.
Contact the Parent Teacher Organization for a particular school by following this link http://www.renton.wednet.edu/resources/rsd_parent_org.htm to find out how active it is. Studies have shown that children's academic success increases when parents are actively involved in their education.
At the School: Will Your Child be Happy There?
Make an appointment with the Principal for you and your children to visit the school when school is in session so you can observe a normal school day. This is your chance to learn the personality of the school.
Check classrooms for interested and smiling faces.
Look at the projects and student artwork on the walls.
Do the students dress like your kids and do they look friendly?
Find out the style of dress for the first day of school so you can help your kids fit in.
Most importantly, be sure to talk to your kids during and after the tour. They will probably have noticed things that you didn't.
There are many concrete factors that indicator how good a school is. But after you've done your research, visited the school and conferred with your kids, the best indicator you have is your intuition and good common sense.
David Edwards
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
425-890-8045
E-Mail: david@davidjedwards.com
Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com
Blogsite: http://www.davidjedwards.com/renton-info-blog.asp
David J Edwards is a full time REALTOR® with Keller Williams specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers in Renton and Newcastle.
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