“student-centered, arts enriched program” that focuses
on community and environmental care on a 17-acre
farm setting.

Some families might consider religious schools as a
good fit, while others might be drawn to independent or
secular settings.

“It is a big investment,” notes McGrisken. “Find where
your family fits. It’s not only about the child, it’s also
about the family – this will become their community too.”
GROUP: STANDRET / ADOBE STOCK;
PLANTS: -VICTOR- / DIGITALVISION VECTORS
Other Important Considerations
Value-matching is essential, but so is meeting individ-
ual family needs. “So, for instance…[if] a student has a
learning difference, making sure that [schools] have the
resources to support that” is important, notes McGrisken.

Other key factors for caregivers to explore as they com-
pare schools include “experience of faculty, diversity,
equity and community…are we doing the work? What are
our efforts? Are we honest about where we can go?” she
says. Honesty is essential to fostering a successful school
match. “And, at the end of the day, it’s a feel. If all those
things are in place, would my kid be comfortable here?
Seeing the kids in the hallway – do they look happy? Are
they engaged?” asks McGrisken.

Sports and extracurricular offerings could impact deci-
sions as well, whether athletic enthusiasts are drawn to
Tatnall School’s 37 interscholastic sports teams or cre-
atives can see themselves in Park School’s 44,000 square
foot Wyman Arts Center (both schools, of course, offer
options for students of various interests).

Your Child’s Opinion Matters
“It is a very interesting time,” observes McGrisken. “I
would say more and more, the student is actually picking
the school – particularly at the upper school level.”
It may go without saying that your child is, after all,
the one who will be spending crucial developmental
hours at their school. Taking your child’s opinion into
consideration is, however, an important part of the deci-
sion-making process. McGrisken recalls an instance in
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN
CHOOSING A
PRIVATE SCHOOL
Positive recommendations
Ask Around & Utilize
Online Resources
Do their methodology and
core focuses match yours?
Does the school meet your
individual family needs?
Resources to support your
child’s learning differences.

What sports and
extracurricular offerings
do they have?
Have you taken your child’s
opinion into consideration?
Is financial aid in the form
of scholarship opportunities
and financial assistance
available? WashingtonFAMILY.com 13