Written by: Gigamind English Primary School, Principal Kenneth Law

The Primary 1 application process has begun. How can parents choose the right school for their children? How to determine if a school is the right one? While a child's individual traits are certainly important, young children are highly adaptable. Therefore, the parents' expectations for education and whether the school can meet those expectations become more crucial. Parents can learn about a school through the following methods:

1. School websites

Many parents would use the school website to understand the school, but the design direction of different school websites varies, making it difficult to compare them. However, websites generally provide some basic information, which can be considered a convenient way to learn about the school.

2. Primary School Profile

"Primary School Overview" is also a means to obtain basic information about schools. Unlike websites, the layout of "Primary School Overview" has limitations on titles and word count, making it appear easier to compare. However, it is difficult to see the school's features, so "Primary School Overview" can only be considered as an additional convenient approach for parents to get to know the school.

3. Understanding through "Word of Mouth" 

Collecting opinions of different people about the school, commonly known as "word of mouth," can be an important way to understand the school. In fact, it is also a significant factor considered by most parents. However, there are two points that parents need to pay attention to when understanding the school through word of mouth. Firstly, everyone's observations may be incomplete, and schools can change, so parents should listen to different opinions. Secondly, everyone has different expectations for education. What others consider important advantages may not be important to you, and you may even consider them as disadvantages.

4. Visiting the School 

What about visiting the school? Some people doubt whether visiting the school can reveal its true nature, but I believe that personal contact is still important. Every school has information they want the public to know, which represents the elements the school values. This information can be obtained during a visit. Does this school want everyone to know that its students have good discipline or are lively and confident? Does it emphasize high academic standards or a diverse range of activities? Parents can make comparisons based on these aspects.

By having a clear understanding of their own expectations for education and evaluating in their own direction, it is less likely to be influenced by superficial factors. Choosing a school for one's children is not easy, but if parents can be clear about what they want and use various approaches to gather information, they will believe that everything will fall into place.