A guide for parents
How to choose a school for your child
Choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions you make about your child's coming years. It isn't a choice made on rankings, price or proximity to home alone. The first and most important step is to stop and ask yourself the right questions.
Start with a question, not a checklist
Most parents start with a checklist: how far, how much, what rankings, what languages. That's understandable, but these are questions about the school as an institution, not about what your child will actually experience there.
The deeper question is different: what kind of person do you want your child to grow into? Curious or obedient? Self-assured, or someone who waits for instructions? Do you want a school that prepares for the next exam — or for the real life that starts after school?
5 questions to ask every school
Take these with you to every open day or introductory meeting. The answers will tell you more than any brochure.
- 1How does the school measure progress — only with grades, or also by showing real work and the mastery gained?
- 2How much does the child choose for themselves what and how to learn?
- 3Does the child learn at their own pace, or does everyone move at the same rhythm?
- 4What is the adult's role — a lecturer who talks at the front, or a guide who asks questions?
- 5Does the school prepare children for exams or for real life?
Traditional or alternative school?
The biggest choice parents face is between a traditional school (grades, a shared pace, a teacher at the front) and an alternative approach (learner-driven learning, individual pace, a guide). Different families may suit different schools, and it's worth knowing how they differ.
To be clear about where Acton Academy Riga stands on this spectrum:
Acton Academy Riga says NO to: grades, tests, homework, boredom in learning, rote memorisation, shaming.
Acton Academy Riga says YES to: their own goals, freedom and responsibility, learning exhibitions, meaningful projects, experience-based learning with real consequences.
Not sure which side you're on? Try our test: traditional or alternative education.
Get the free school choice guide
We've gathered everything worth knowing when choosing a school for your child into one practical guide: character traits that predict success in life, a self-assessment for parents, and a school comparison table.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a school
When should you start looking for a school for your child?
The earlier, the calmer. Getting to know a school — open days, conversations and a feel for the place — takes time.
How do you know if a school is right for your child?
Watch how the child feels in the environment, not just the academic results. Are they curious or subdued? Are they allowed to ask questions and make mistakes? The best test is to visit the school together with your child and observe.
How does an alternative school differ from a traditional one?
A traditional school is usually built on grades, a shared pace and a teacher who teaches from the front. An alternative approach (such as learner-driven learning, Montessori, Waldorf school or Acton Academy) puts more trust in a child's inner motivation, individual pace and learning through doing. Not sure whether an alternative school suits your family? Try our test: traditional or alternative school.
If you're wondering which alternative school to choose, here is a comparison of Montessori, Waldorf school and Acton Academy.
Is this the right school for your family?
Fifteen minutes, no commitment — you ask, we answer. In English, whenever it suits you.