5 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling Your Child in High School

5 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling Your Child in High School

December 18, 2019

For parents, time flies. It seems just yesterday your child was taking their first steps, now the beginning of the end of your child's middle school education is quickly approaching. What you once thought was far in the future is now a decision you will have to make by the end of the year. The next phase of academics will impact your child's future.

Before you enroll your child in high school, it is vital to ask the right questions of administration. In this article, we will help you ask some of the right questions.

Questions to Ask Before Enrolling Your Child in High School

1) Is the Gospel Important Here?

The answer to this question will not be affirmative

unless you consider enrolling your child in a Christ-centered private institution. There are excellent academic institutions wherein the gospel is not central, so this may not be the sole determining factor for you and your family. At Emmanuel Lutheran School, the gospel is central to the academic process for our students from preschool through middle school, helping prepare them to know and follow Christ wherever they go.

2) Does This School Help Students Graduate?

The size of your child’s graduating class will generally be lower than it will be when they begin high school. The question for parents is how that graduation rate compares to other schools in the area. If the graduation rate is lower than in other schools, then parents will want to know why. Conversely, if the rate is significantly higher, parents will want to know the factors that contribute to graduating more students than average.

3) Will This Institution Help My Child Go to and Succeed in College?

Not only will parents want to know how successfully high school graduate students, but they also need to learn whether those students are prepared for college and beyond. Before you enroll your freshman, ask about student success in their future endeavors, whether they go to college or enter the workforce. At Emmanuel Lutheran, we are committed to preparing our students to become Christ-centered, productive members of society before they even enter high school. Make sure the next phase of your child’s education continues building on that foundation.

4) What are the Extracurricular Opportunities at the School?

In addition to helping set college applications apart, extracurricular activities help students in numerous ways, including:

  • Instilling character
  • Teamwork
  • Passion for the arts
  • Compassion for others
  • Work ethic

From music and marching band to sports and academic clubs, high schoolers can grow and excel through extracurricular activities. High school is an opportunity for your child to discover a passion and talent for sports or the arts that could transcend their lives. Find out what kind of extracurricular activities a school offers as well as the clubs and sports at which the school excels.

5) What Makes This School Special?

What sets this high school apart in your community? For what is this school known? Enroll your high school freshman in a school that offers them the best opportunity to succeed beyond this phase of their education. One of our goals at Emmanuel Lutheran School is to prepare students for success beyond middle school by providing a Christ-centered rigorous education. That is why we are a S.T.E.A.M. school, helping children excel in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

If you would like to know more about what to ask a potential high school, contact us. If your child is entering elementary or middle school, ELS offers an education that emphasizes the gospel and academics. Contact us to find out more or schedule a tour.

More in this category: « Middle School Students Study Bovine Eyeballs in Science Lab Four Advantages of STEAM Education for Test Scores »
back to top