Have you ever experienced an “aha!” moment? Oprah explains it as a kind of “lightbulb, ding ding ding” moment, in which “the little hairs on your arms stand up.” This feeling is officially defined as “a moment of sudden inspiration, insight, recognition or comprehension.” So imagine how powerful it can be for your child to experience this in school! It can happen due to a teacher that understands their needs and says “good job” at the right moment, a peer that just with a glance or comment shows that they empathize, or a new friend that helps with an assignment without judgment.
An ideal learning environment is a safe place for relationship building, talent development, academic encouragement, and personal growth. So to find the right school will have a powerful impact on any student’s future and turn around their educational journeys for the better. This is what happened to Nyshema Louree’s sons after changing schools.
“He has turned around drastically in school. He is receiving much more attention and help with classes, so better grades are coming in.” – Nyshema (Parent)
Nyshema Louree is a New York City mom of two that recently had to find new schools for her boys after moving to a different neighborhood. Each student has unique needs, faces individual challenges, and engages differently in the classroom. If we also add that many schools currently have limited access due to covid safety protocols, finding the perfect schools for families with multiple students is not child’s play. But how can parents know if their children are in the right school for them? Here are four signs that helped Nyshema understand how her children are adjusting to their new learning environment and will definitely help you comprehend a bit better your family’s unique academic journey.
They are excited to attend school.
“When I go to school in person, it’s way better than going online. Online takes very little time, it’s very short, and I barely learn anything. When I go in person, I am learning way more, and I have to go to class.” – Kyren (Student)
Who doesn’t like to feel excited about new experiences? Of course, it is normal to feel a little nervous at first, but when your child starts sharing exciting details about their day-to-day at school, it usually is an excellent indicator of a healthy adjustment in the right school. Don’t limit yourself to asking, “how was school today?“; make more specific questions to encourage them to expand and provide details about their overall experience. The more you know, the better you can help find the right school for them.
They talk about their teachers and friends.
“What I like most about my new school are my friends. I’ve made a lot more friends than I did when I was online and in my old school.“ – Kyren (Student)
When children feel part of a community, it gives them the confidence to thrive. Encouraging teachers can help spark their interest in new things and boost their morale. Hearing your child talk about other students they’ve connected with is a good indicator that they’re adjusting to the new school environment. They don’t need to have a large group of friends immediately but creating meaningful connections with some of their peers is part of a successful learning experience in the right school.
They are developing new interests and hobbies.
“What I like about my school is that every Friday they have something special. Some Fridays they have ice cream socials!” – Nasheem (Student)
Noticing if your child has new interests that you didn’t introduce is a great way to tell how they adjust to the new school. It means they are now getting more inspiration to work in new ways and develop their own passions. Being motivated to pursue new challenges is beneficial for their overall academic experience and lives.
They are making progress.
“He is more outgoing and social because the interaction from his peers and his teachers are just amazing.“ – Nyshema (Parent)
Fully adjusting to a new school can take time because all students are different. Transitioning from schools will always bring some challenges but being equipped to handle them is crucial. Receiving the proper support at home and school will help them make positive academic and personal progress. Even if their adjustment takes a little bit longer than you would have hoped, making steady progress is the key indicator of good student placement.
Having access to the right online tools to help you learn more and find the right schools in your area can be a groundbreaking experience when it comes to transitioning from one school to another. It will give you easy access to crucial information when choosing the best school for your family. If, just like Nyshema, you are a parent of multiple-grade students looking to change schools, visit Schola.com. Schola helps families seamlessly discover, connect, and enroll their children in the ideal educational setting in just a few steps.
Good education is not just about grades; it’s also about individual growth. Feeling like you are in the right place can change your entire outlook on life. Take the time to listen, guide, and be your child’s best ally every step of the way.