Teen schoolgirl with bag and headphones – Image Courtesy of Pexels
Your teen’s school is vitally important for their mental, academic, and social development. Therefore, you must choose a school that makes every effort to help them be their best self.
The Right Fit for Them
Many kids worry about not fitting in or making friends. And even though they might make friends, the establishment itself can be a discouraging environment that doesn’t meet their needs. For example, a school might not offer the subjects they are interested in or the academia they require. Feeling that they won’t learn anything new is a common issue on the Alpine Academy Utah complaints list that many students have to deal with before attending. Of course, they won’t know until they get stuck in. But remember, not all schools are made equal.
Adequate Facilities for Growth
The 21st century and the past few years, in particular, have highlighted the positive changes being made in society. For instance, just 10 years ago, it might have been unthinkable to come out as gay in school, let alone transgender. In response to a growing acceptance of minority citizens, schools are making strides towards positive change and reducing harmful discrimination. Yet not all educational establishments offer adequate facilities for personal growth, such as counseling, youth groups, and gender studies, So always inquire about these.
Your Teen’s School Must Enforce Policies
School is supposed to be the best time of your life as you discover yourself and prepare for college life. Yet, for millions of people all over the world, it can be a living nightmare. In the US alone, 20% of students report being bullied. Your chosen school must enforce policies, such as:
- A zero-tolerance approach to physical and sexual violence.
- Educators dedicated to rooting out bullying.
- Making it clear that social media abuse extends to home and school.
The effects of any of these issues can be devastating to a student, to the point of withdrawal, social isolation, self-harm, and suicide. Teachers need to be on top of all matters regarding bullying. Yet also aware that social media plays a harmful role in and out of the classroom.
Aging Transitional Guidance
Going through high school is essentially preparing you for life as a young adult and into work or college. Yet many kids have no idea what they want to do as they approach graduation. Which can come with increased anxiety and stress. So your teen’s school should have in place systems for guiding them in their formative years. Counseling is a great start. Counselors can help with mental health, school performance, and working towards college admissions. But your kids also need after-school clubs and activities for an increased chance of college acceptance.
An Effective Approach to Neurodiversity
There is a growing acceptance and public awareness of neurodiversity issues such as autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. Some countries do better than others, while some are sorely behind. In the UK, for example, one survey found that 70% of parents feel British schools aren’t equipped for neurodiverse support. Therefore, should your teen fall under the neurodiverse umbrella, you must take the time to find a suitable school. However, this shouldn’t be too challenging since schools with good neurodiverse programs are often all too happy to promote the facts.
Summary
Choosing your teen’s school depends on more than location. It must be the right fit for them, offer acceptable policies toward bullying, and provide sufficient support to the neurodiverse.
