Navigate the School Search Without the Overwhelming Stress

We’re often asked about the optimal timing to search for schools, and we feel it’s NEVER TOO EARLY to get started. You’ve probably heard that you need to start reaching out to certain schools as soon as your child is born – and there’s some truth to that. But if you didn’t already do so, there’s no time like the present to get started. And this upcoming Spring and Summer may be ideal for gathering all the information you need to get a headstart on the Fall application season. This is most important for children who will reach the age for a typical “entry year” – most often Kindergarten, Sixth grade, or Ninth grade. (Do note that some schools also have additional entry points at First grade and Fifth grade.) 

At Houston School Options, we can help families start to gather information about their public and private school options. We take into account the geographic area around the family home, a family’s tolerance for drive-times to get to and from school, religious preferences (the large majority of private schools are faith-based), any special sports or arts programs that appeal to a child or family, and most importantly, the learning style and needs of each child in the family. Of course, if you’re starting out with a search for a very young child, you may not feel you know a lot about their learning needs, but we know that YOU are the expert in your own child, and we can help you think through what you do know already! 

Some schools make arrangements for tours in the Spring, and if they have a Summer program, it may be possible to do a preliminary tour then, as well. If your list of schools is already very long, getting some tours done ahead of the new school year can help you whittle down the options. But at the very least, you will feel prepared when the time comes to start the process in the Fall.