How to Choose the Right School for Your Child

Choosing a school is one of the most meaningful decisions a parent can make. Beyond academics, the right school helps children grow confidence, kindness, and curiosity—the real foundations for lifelong success.

1. Look Beyond the Brochure

Every school says it offers academic excellence and personal growth. But what really matters is how those ideals come to life in daily school culture. Talk to current students, visit classrooms, and observe how teachers interact with children. You’ll learn more from the energy on campus than from any marketing copy.

2. Observe How Students Treat Each Other

If you can, have your child visit for a “shadow day.” Watch how students play and work together. Do they welcome new faces? Do they treat each other with respect? Social and

emotional growth are just as important as intellectual development. A strong community sets the tone for lifelong emotional intelligence and empathy.

3. Ask About Teacher Training and Support

Teachers shape the heart of a school. Ask how teachers are trained, mentored, and supported. Are they encouraged to grow professionally and personally? Schools that invest in their teachers create stable, inspired classrooms where students thrive.

4. Look for a Balanced Curriculum

The best schools connect subjects in meaningful ways—science, art, history, and literature aren’t taught in isolation but as parts of a greater whole. This kind of integrated learning helps students see patterns, make connections, and find joy in discovery. Look for evidence of interdisciplinary projects, thematic units, and real-world application.

5. Ask About the School’s Approach to Assessment

High test scores don’t always tell the full story. True excellence includes creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and self-awareness—qualities that standardized tests can’t measure. Ask how the school evaluates growth and how students are encouraged to learn from mistakes. The goal is not perfection but progress.

6. Talk to Graduates and Parents

Conversations with parents and alumni reveal the school’s lasting impact. Ask: Do graduates feel prepared for life? Are they confident, kind, and adaptable? Do parents feel their child was known and valued as an individual?

7. Prioritize Joy in Learning

A happy child learns better. Neuroscience backs it, and fifty years of Education for Life schools have proven it. Look for a school culture that values enthusiasm, curiosity, and a love of learning—not just achievement. The right environment will help your child grow both academically and inwardly strong.

Living Wisdom School has been pioneering this balanced approach in Palo Alto for over 30 years—integrating academics with life skills, creativity, and emotional growth. Because education isn’t just about getting ahead—it’s about growing up whole.