How to Know Which Catholic School is Right For You

Looking through the Diocese of Orlando’s Polk County Catholic schools website proves that Catholic schools in Florida are nothing short of abundant. Choosing the most appropriate school for your child and your family may require a little effort, though. While the doctrine of the Catholic church lives in each of our schools, every school has a distinct personality. Choosing one over the others may seem like a daunting task; read the information below to help make an informed decision about your child’s education.

• What Are Your Child’s Needs?Do you have a future NBA all-star who cannot live without basketball? A chess player who needs a strong after-school chess club and math mentors? A shy child who needs gentle guidance? A child who needs strong academic support? These can easily be the reason to choose one school in particular. Find a school that supports his interests while building up the areas where he needs help.

• Ask Your FriendsYour parish community will have the greatest number of children in Catholic schools. Ask what they appreciate most about their child’s school and, if they know your child in particular, whether they believe your child would excel in that school. Their honest opinion can be a tremendous asset.

• School ToursCall the Polk County Catholic schools that interest you and tour each campus both with and without your child. Visit the classrooms, lunchroom, gymnasium, library, and as many other areas as possible. Find out the schedule for your child’s grade and take notes since the schools will all begin to blur if you tour several.

• Ask QuestionsAsk about the teacher/student ratio, if tutoring and remediation are available, how often children play outside or have breaks, how often children meet with counselors, what is expected of the parents, tuition fees, and extracurricular activities. Schools are used to answering a lot of questions from parents and may have a FAQ sheet for you.

Before your final decision, sit down with your child and speak openly about the Polk County Catholic schools you like best and ask his or her opinion. His insight can be the tie-breaker you need to choose the best school. Our website lists all the schools in the Diocese of Orlando. Feel free to call us at 407-246-4800 to discuss the best Catholic education for your child. Our blog page contains articles on our schools, our educational philosophy, and many extracurricular activities we offer. We would love to have your child be part of our community!