Deciding on a place of study for your beloved first-grader is not an easy task. But it’s quite solvable if you find out in advance the list of your requirements. The purpose of this article is to tell parents how to choose a school for their child. Ideal school - what is it? Each parent in the concept of "good school" sees his own: for some it is an ordinary school near the house, which they themselves have finished, and someone wants to give their child to a prestigious educational institution with in-depth study of subjects, a swimming pool and good technical equipment. Someone thinks that the best school is where it is psychologically comfortable and there is an individual approach to each student, while others prefer strict discipline and a standard presentation of the material. In order for your child and you to be calm and comfortable for the next ten-plus years, you need to pay attention to the following points when choosing a school. 1. Reviews You can refer to the formal criteria and see the school’s rating according to UPE, to find out how technically equipped the school is. Of course, this does not at all indicate a high level of education of all students, just as the achievements of a teacher cannot be an indicator of his human qualities. Therefore, parents and students themselves who study in the walls of the educational institution you are interested in can tell more reliably about the school and teachers. 2. Location For younger students, the most favorable option is when the school is not far from home. If this is not the case, and you do not have a personal car, then find out how convenient it is to get to school by public transport, and carefully examine all the way to school for safety. Living next to classmates is more convenient - the way to and from school will be more fun, you can go to mugs together, do homework and walk. 3. The curriculum It is necessary to ask how the educational process is organized. How many lessons per day, whether there are shifts, whether homework is given to first-graders, whether there are additional classes and electives - these and other questions are very important for a small student who has just arrived at school. Indeed, often schools that position themselves as “promising” give a very large load, and it can be unbearable for children, especially those who are weakened or with chronic diseases. School programs can be different. Today, school education is being reformed, schools have the opportunity to independently form educational programs and choose teaching methods. Schools may have specialization - artistic and aesthetic, sports, languages, mathematics, humanities, etc. 4. Extended day group For working parents, “extension” is a way out, where a student can have lunch, learn lessons, attend school electives, study groups and sections. 5. The number of students in the class This will be especially important for domestic children and children requiring special attention for health reasons. 6. Financial side Schools with paid tuition usually have a website where the cost of tuition is prescribed. You can also find out from the school administration. But public schools, although considered free, sometimes in fact require no less financial costs. These are the so-called parental charitable contributions, the amount of which, as well as other details, can be found out from the parents whose children attend the school you are interested in. 7. School grounds Pay attention to the cleanliness and autonomy of the school grounds. The presence of a stadium, sports equipment, a large area for events will be an advantage. 8. “School spirit” The atmosphere prevailing in school is an important criterion for choosing an educational institution for a first-grader. Try to observe what is happening at the school break, how the students behave and how they communicate with each other, what the teachers are doing at the same time, find out the location of the elementary grades - whether they are separated from the high school, how they are decorated and equipped. 9. Meals Having a school cafeteria with hot meals will be a big advantage compared to a buffet where you can buy only a dry snack. Ask the administration and schoolchildren for a diet and, if possible, take a look at the school canteen to have an idea of ​​the quality of the food offered. 10. Security Today’s schools almost all have a security guard, but the security issue is worth exploring. Find out what are the functions of the guard and the system of admission of strangers and the exit of students from the school building. 11. Teaching staff Many will agree with the opinion that the main thing for a first-grader is not so much the school as the first teacher. The mood of your student will depend on how well the teacher can get along with the children. A friendly atmosphere with discipline in the lesson and adequate presentation of material are the moments that will make the learning process productive and enjoyable. If your child is emotionally stable, makes friends easily and adapts to a new environment, he will quickly get used to any school. But kind