Five Things to Consider When Choosing the Right School for Your Child - McDonogh School
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Five Things to Consider When Choosing the Right School for Your Child

Every family wants the very best for their child, and now is the perfect moment to consider all your options. Here are five things you should consider when deciding what you can do to help your child thrive.

1. Does Your Child's School Prioritize the Whole Person?

Education isn't just about academics. Your child's development also includes emotions, creativity, social skills, and character. The best schools recognize this and actively cultivate all these dimensions. Look for schools that emphasize collaboration, emotional intelligence, leadership, and integrity alongside rigorous academics. A truly excellent education shapes who your child becomes, not just what they know.

2. Are There Real-World Learning Opportunities?

Children learn best by doing. Schools that offer hands-on experiences—whether in science labs, outdoor classrooms, community projects, or collaborative problem-solving—create deeper, more meaningful learning. When students can apply what they're learning to real situations, their knowledge retention is greater, and they develop critical thinking skills that will serve them for life. Ask yourself: Does your child's school connect learning to the world beyond the classroom?

3. Does Your Child Have Access to Individualized Attention?

Every child learns differently and has unique strengths. While standardized approaches work for some students, others thrive when teachers understand their individual learning styles and can tailor instruction accordingly. Smaller class sizes and a genuine commitment to knowing each student as an individual make a tremendous difference. Your child deserves educators who see them and support their specific path to success.

4. Is Your Child Part of a Diverse, Collaborative Community?

The real world requires people to work together across differences. A school community that welcomes students from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences prepares children for authentic success. Look for schools where collaboration isn't just a buzzword but embedded in how students learn and interact every day. This kind of environment builds the social and emotional skills your child will need throughout life.

5. Does Your School Inspire Confidence and a Love of Learning?

Perhaps most importantly, does your child feel excited about school? Are they curious? Do they feel safe taking risks and making mistakes? A school that truly develops confident, engaged learners results in students who are resilient, adaptable, and ready for whatever comes next. When children feel supported and inspired, they develop a lifelong love of learning that no standardized test can measure.

Explore What's Possible

McDonogh School has spent more than 150 years building an education grounded in these very principles. Across our 800-acre campus, students in kindergarten through twelfth grade develop fully through authentic collaboration, hands-on learning, and genuine community.

Ready to see what McDonogh can offer your child?

Experience firsthand how we're preparing students to thrive in the world.

Schedule a Campus Visit Today!