Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you have to make as a parent. Because there are so many options available for types of board: CBSE, ICSE, IB, State Board, international schools, and even alternative schools it is very natural to get confused. To clear all these doubts we have listed down all the confusions parents usually have while selecting the right school for theihr child.
1. Focusing Only on Brand Name and Reputation
It is natural to want the “best” school for your child, but the most famous school in your town always does not mean the best fit for your child.
Some parents assume that a well known school guarantees quality education and best future for the child, but it is important to know much more. Consider these factors:
✅ Teaching methods
✅ Class size and student-teacher ratio
✅ Extracurricular activities
✅ Your child’s learning style and needs
A school might be highly ranked, but if it does not align with your child’s personality or interests, it may not be the right choice for you.
🧐 What do parents look for when choosing a school?
Parents should focus on a holistic learning environment, not just rankings. Instead of searching for the "No.1 school", look for the “right school” that aligns with your child’s growth and learning needs.
💡 Tip: Instead of looking for the “No.1” school, focus on the “Right” school for your child! In this “Right” signifies the child own interest and needs which shall help in his own growth and better results.
2. Not Checking Curriculum and Teaching Approach
Many parents enroll their child in a school without understanding the curriculum for the child, how much hard or easy it is for a child to handle. The choice between CBSE, ICSE, IB, Cambridge, or State Board matters because each curriculum has a different way of teaching style, exam pattern, and approach towards learning.
Comparison of Major Curriculums
📌 CBSE – These schools focuses on conceptual learning and national-level competitive exams.
📌 ICSE – ICSE board schools emphasizes in-depth knowledge and application-based learning.
📌 IB & Cambridge – International board schools focus on global exposure, creativity, and practical learning.
📌 State Boards – Schools affiliated with state board follow regional language preference and government-approved syllabus.
🧐 How do parents choose a school for their child? OR “CBSE vs ICSE vs IB vs State – Which board is best for my child?
💡 Tip: The choice of curriculum should depend on your child’s interests, strengths, and future academic goals. All the boards are good in their own way. But For Better understanding of every curriculum checkout our blog - CBSE vs. ICSE vs. International vs. State Boards vs IGCSE : (A Complete Guide)
3. Overlooking Distance and Commute Time
A school might be excellent in academics, curriculum, facilities and all other aspects, but if it takes your child 2 hours to Reach there daily, will they have the energy for homework, play, or child hobbies?
Problems with Long Commutes
🚗 Increased stress and fatigue
⏳ Reduced study, play, and family time
🏫 Less energy for extracurricular activities
🧐 How far should my child’s school be from home?
💡 Tip: It is always advisable to choose schools which are around 7-8kms from your home to avoid extra commute.
You can sort schools based on specific localities on our platform and also you will get the detailed information about nearby localities, landmarks and gated communities for each school in Schools Universe.
4. Ignoring Extracurricular Activities and Other Facilities
Academics are the most important, but extracurricular activities shape a child’s overall development. A school with good sports, arts, and hobby clubs can help students with the following:
🏆 Build confidence and teamwork
💡 Improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills
🎭 Discover and nurture their hidden talents
🧐 Which schools focus on both academics and sports?
💡 Tip: Visit the school and check facilities like playgrounds, labs, libraries, and activity rooms and check if the schools provide a well-balanced curriculum with equal focus on extracurricular activities and studies.Parents sometimes focus only on marks and rankings, but a well mix of extracurricular activities and studies is the best way to provide holistic education for a child.
5. Not Checking Parents Reviews of Schools
Would you buy a car without reading reviews? Then why will you enroll your child in a school without speaking to current parents and students?
Many parents rely only on brochures or websites and advise of Teacher, but talking to the stakeholders and asking them suitable questions can give helpful insights.
Key Questions to Ask
✔️ Are the teachers approachable?
✔️ How does the school handle discipline and bullying?
✔️ What do students and parents think about the school’s overall environment?
🧐 How do I check a school’s real reviews?
✅ Visit parent forums
✅ Check Google reviews and school listing websites
✅ Talk to neighbors or local parents
💡 Tip: Our portal has listed parent reviews for each school in details.You can visit Schools Universe for detailed and honest parent reviews of each school.
6. Focusing Only on Fee Structure – Either Too High or Too Low
Some parents believe that expensive schools might be always better, while others opt for the cheapest option to save money. Both approaches can be misleading and wrong.
A school with high fee structure does not always mean better education, and a low-cost school may not have the necessary facilities. Instead of focusing on fees alone, check if these following things are up to the mark in a school:
Key factors to check:
🏫 Qualifications of teachers
🏢 Quality of infrastructure and safety
📚 Teaching methodology
📊 Board results and parent reviews
🧐 Are expensive schools worth the fees?
A high fee doesn’t always mean better education. Do your research and compare facilities, faculty, and overall learning environment before deciding.
💡 Tip: Do your research based on the facts available in the school websites, review portals and also verify them physically by visiting the school.
7. Ignoring Future Growth and Higher Classes
Many parents select a school based on pre-primary or primary grades without even checking its higher classes. You should check for these factors before choosing the school:
✔️ Does the school offer education up to Class 12?
✔️ If not, where do students shift for higher studies?
✔️ What are the school’s past academic results?
✔️ How do students perform in board exams and college admissions?
🧐 Which schools have the best Class 10 and 12 results?
💡 Tip: Talk to the school principal and know about board results and alumni sucess stories to get a clear understanding of the school.
8. Not Considering Your Child’s Personality and Interests
Every child is unique. Some students do well in structured environments, while others need flexibility in their learning approach as well as creative spaces.
Key things to consider while juding your child's personality:
🎯 Does your child prefer competition or a flexible approach?
👩🏫 Do they need special attention or smaller classrooms?
🎶 Are they interested in sports, music, or technology?
🧐 How do I know which school suits my child’s personality?
💡 Tip: Parents are the best person to judge their child’s capabilities and interests. Attend school orientations and talk to teachers and principal to get better clarity of the curriculum, teaching methods, and extracurricular offerings of the school.
💡 Key Takeaways
✔️ Visit schools and check their facilities personally.
✔️ Compare curriculums and teaching methodologies.
✔️ Consider distance, commute, and extracurricular options.
✔️ Speak to existing parents and students for real insights.
✔️ Choose a school that matches your child’s learning style and aspirations.
🌟 Explore and Compare schools in Schools Universe to find detailed school listings and compare them based on fee structures, parent reviews, and more! 🎓
