Although school-aged children tend to make new friends relatively easily when moving to a new community, loving parents may not leave their future to chance. Relocating to a new school district generally involves a different curriculum and expectations. Beyond the standard items that parents can review before deciding where to purchase a home, there are wide-reaching qualitative items at play as well. If you plan to move your family to a new school district, these are things to consider carefully before making a life-changing commitment.
1: Gather Information From Local People
It’s not unusual to have some contact people when moving to a new area. This may include friends, family members, or professionals such as your real estate agent. Regardless of whom you know there, it’s generally worthwhile to gather thoughts about the schools. These acquaintances may have children in the system or graduates. Take views with a grain of salt and weigh them against quantitative information.
2: Make A Checklist of Your Child’s Needs
Finding the right fit for your child entails connecting the dots between their social, extracurricular, and unique learning needs. Some students flourish in relatively small classrooms in which teachers can provide increased one-on-one instruction. In some cases, kids require additional help with math, reading, or other skills. Sometimes that personal interaction proves inspirational as well as educational. When considering a school system, answering the following questions may prove insightful.
- Does the school offer a suitable interagency plan for your child?
- Does the school have competitive sports teams?
- Does the school district offer arts-related extracurricular activities?
- Does the school system offer vocational as well as college-track learning pathways?
- Does the school district support clubs and organizations for the students?
By identifying what things the district emphasizes, the potential for educational and social success may appear more transparent. Parents cannot necessarily plan every step in their child’s growth, but you can ensure a robust foundation.
3: Identify Essential After-School Infrastructure
Planning a family move means that the friends and neighbors who supported each other’s childcare gaps won’t necessarily be in place. Parents will likely take time to meet new community members and build a level of trust around watching youngsters. That’s why moving families would be well-served to identify professional resources if you have to work late or simply have car trouble.
Many communities work with non-profit organizations that offer after-school programs at their facility. Signing up offers families an opportunity to have children take a shuttle bus and participate in programs. These can prove increasingly valuable as some school districts have reduced the hours children can remain on site.
4: Pick Your Moving Date Wisely
The timing of your move is essential. The vast majority of parents with school-aged children aim for summer break. This strategy typically allows youths to finish testing without disruption and complete a semester. Summer moves also enable families to connect with new community members and build social connections before classes restart. Other prime moving dates typically involve long weekends and winter break, among others.
New Home — No Problem!
Because families prefer moving during extended school closures, moving companies can become booked months in advance for those dates. So, contact professional movers as soon as you secure a closing date on a home or sign a lease. If you expect to be moving to a new school district, contact us for a budget-friendly quote and secure a date.