One of the most complex processes for parents is choosing the right school for their children. It is a fact that those responsible want the best. But how to choose the best among so many possibilities? What are the differences that will actually have an impact on this child’s life so that he or she develops not only intellectually, but also emotionally?
There are several doubts that permeate people’s minds when it comes to education. The idea of this article is precise to help you have more property when choosing between private schools in São Paulo.
Check out below some essential factors to be analyzed to ensure the right choice and also the impact it will have on the individual’s life.
Choosing an educational institution: essential care
Since the creation of humanity, the construction of knowledge has been essential to continue the evolution of human beings. Over time, the process was improved, which made educational institutions start to have an impact on the economic, political, social, and cultural transformation in the modern world.
They are responsible for forming intellectually active citizens, and they also have the role of developing capacities that will be fundamental in the exercise of autonomy and critical awareness of individuals.
In view of this very important role, when placing the child in the right institution, it is necessary to be careful and correctly determine the aspects that make up the school. From the methodology to the infrastructure and training of the faculty must be studied.
The impact of all this on the lives of children and, later, adolescents, young people, and adults are enormous. Good institutions offer essential support in training, which is a major concern when choosing learning that is most aligned with your needs.
Private schools in São Paulo: the main factors to consider when choosing
Do you agree that some factors weigh heavily when choosing the best school for your child? The set of beliefs and values of each family added to their social and economic conditions will undoubtedly determine the preference of a school over others. However, in addition, some aspects of the school deserve to be carefully considered when choosing, such as the ones we will show below:
1. Teaching approaches
There are a number of pedagogical guidelines and it is important to know them in order to fit your child into the one that is most aligned with their demands as an individual or even what you believe in. Check out the main types below.
2. Traditional
Teachers are responsible for transmitting content to students in a systematic way. Academic training is valued more than social and cultural aspects, and students are evaluated in a standardized way.
The methodology is applied through verbal exposition made by the teacher in order to prepare the student so that he is able to solve exercises, as well as memorize formulas and concepts on a series of subjects. In this way, the teacher prepares the student so that after studies he can pass tests that evaluate his memorization of contents.
3. Constructivist
The student is led to build his own knowledge, so the activities involve practical and interactive experiences. Constructivism prioritizes the relationship between the teacher and the student and sees the teacher as a mediator of learning while the student experiences situations that help him/her in the construction of knowledge. Social and cultural aspects are valued, and the student is seen as a unique being.
The proposal of this approach has rooms with fewer students, different assessment methods, and the teacher proposing activities that lead the student to discover for himself. In other words, the student acts as the protagonist of his/her own learning, he/she builds it little by little and seeks not only to memorize but also to understand what he/she learns.
4. Montessori
In this approach, learning takes place from experience and observation. One of the pillars of this approach, created by the Italian educator Maria Montessori, is autonomy and self-education, that is, the child has all the necessary elements to build their knowledge and be more active and critical. In addition, there is greater freedom and movement, as well as participation and responsibility in the construction of knowledge, which it is up to parents to support in the child’s day-to-day even outside the school environment.
5. Waldorf
Waldorf is an approach that sees the child in its entirety, composed of body, soul, and spirit. The curricular proposals value expressive languages, such as music, arts, and languages. Classes such as pottery, crafts, and dance can be part of the activities.
Therefore, one of the strengths of the methodology is interdisciplinarity, which integrates practical, artistic, and conceptual elements. Experts point out that this approach values imagination, opening space for the development of critical and analytical thinking.
6. International Baccalaureate (IB)
International Baccalaureate (IB) is a philosophy of international education that seeks to encourage personal and academic development, forming a critical student who thinks deeply about complex problems and learns to see diverse points of view. Students also learn in at least two languages and, upon graduation, have their degree recognized in over 100 countries.
The IB is divided into three phases for students aged 3 to 18. To offer these programs the school must be authorized as an IB World School.
7. Schools that use technology and integration in teaching
Information and communication technologies have revolutionized the way we learn and teach today. Students will increasingly need digital literacies that allow them to make efficient and conscious use of the resources that technologies propose.
Schools have created spaces such as the “maker space” to challenge students to use technology creatively to solve problems that integrate knowledge from different areas of teaching. “Design thinking” is a way of analyzing, proposing, and solving day-to-day situations using knowledge of mathematics, language, arts, and so on.
8. Innovative and challenging education
What are the differentials of an educational institution that really impact the daily life of a child and bring him a more complete formation? The answer lies in innovative and challenging education. It means teaching that motivates the student to be the protagonist of his/her learning and is always challenging him/her to give his/her best.
Institutions that stand out are committed to acting in a progressive way, engaged in offering not only quality education, but also focused on current and future demands. The main points to be considered by parents are:
- Institutional reception and the incentive is given to experimentation;
- The quality of the academic curriculum and attention to the student’s personal, social, cultural, and academic development;
- The quality of the teaching staff, which must have professionals specialized in different areas and up-to-date with regard to 21st-century teaching;
- Active methodologies, which encourage collaboration among students;
- The use of technology in the construction of learning;
- The certification offered and its relevance to the students’ future projects.
Finally, it is essential to understand that some schools have a strong base and seek constant improvement of students through innovative and integrative learning models. Although each institution adopts an approach, some essential issues are common to all.
Given this framework of choice of private schools in São Paulo, it is worth noting those that are more advanced and committed to the changes we have seen in the world. Thus, more effective responses can be given to the challenge of educating children in such a complex world.
St. Nicholas School is an international school founded in 1980 and has been working in the training of several generations and is attuned to the main demands of contemporary society. We are an IB World School, with a curriculum developed from the International Baccalaureate (IB) and we are open to receiving students of all ages, from Kindergarten to High School.
