A PCS presents some unique challenges for your school-aged children. They’ll be starting over somewhere completely different and will have to say goodbye to their teachers and friends. As a parent, you’ll have to juggle buying a new home, packing up your whole life, and navigating a new school district. 

But a move can also be a chance for your child to grow and find new opportunities. They might get access to extracurricular activities or advanced placement courses they didn’t have in their old school. You may also find that your new city has better school districts than where you previously lived. 

So how can you make the most of a PCS and find the right school district for your school-aged children? Here’s where to start. 

What to Consider Before Starting Your School Search

The key to finding the right school district for your child is knowing exactly what you’re looking for. What do you like best about their current school? Is there anything you wish their current school did better? This is your chance to make changes and improvements in your child’s academic journey. 

Here are some of the essential questions to ask yourself before starting your school search: 

Do you want a public or private school? 

Your child has unique needs. Consider whether a public or private school will meet them better. 

Public schools offer several advantages, such as fostering community connections and friendships, accommodating a diverse student population, providing support for learning disabilities, and being tuition-free.

Some of the benefits of private school include smaller class sizes, more personalized instruction, and a wide array of specialized activities. However, the most significant drawback is the cost of tuition, which should be thoroughly researched before making a decision.

Which sports and extracurricular activities are important for your child? 

If your child is on the soccer team at their current school, then it might be important that their next school also has a soccer team. While the availability of certain extracurricular activities might not make or break your decision, it can be valuable in evaluating otherwise similar schools. 

Find out what courses the new school offers outside of the core classes and determine if these align well with your child’s interests. Electives often include subjects such as coding, computer programming, foreign languages, public speaking, business, and drama. You may also want to ask about extracurricular activities offered after school or on the weekends, such as driver’s education.

What are your child’s academic goals? 

When selecting a school, consider your child’s future aspirations. For high school students, in particular, think about whether they plan to attend university or pursue a specific career. Enrolling them in a school that offers specialized trade courses or has a university affiliation could be advantageous, depending on their individual goals.

Additionally, consider your child’s individual strengths and weaknesses. Identifying subjects where they excel and those requiring additional support can help guide their academic path.

Start Researching and Evaluating Schools in Your Area

Once you’ve identified your preferences, you can start exploring the schools available in your new location. It’s best to do this before your PCS so that you can find a home within your desired school district. 

There are many resources and websites available to make your school search easier. Here are just a few of them: 

• GreatSchools.org: A K-12 school search platform that rates school quality using publicly available data, while also providing access to community reviews and resources.
• Niche.com: Uses in-depth, data-driven profiles of K-12 schools, colleges, graduate schools, and neighborhoods to create comparable rankings and grades. 
• SchoolDigger.com: A database of over 136,000 public and private schools in the U.S. with detailed profiles to make comparisons easier. 
• School Liaison Program: A program available for military children to assist with transition support, school selection, and other education-related concerns. 

However, when comparing school rankings, be aware that some details can get lost in the data. School rankings typically account for test scores, class sizes, teacher-to-student ratios, and funding. But they fail to account for non-academic factors. Experienced teachers, a supportive classroom environment, and a thriving arts or sports program can also be good indicators of a great school. 

Ultimately, test scores and rankings can be used as a jumping-off point, but the best way to get a feel for a school is to visit in person. If that’s not possible before your move, try joining a local parent Facebook group or connecting with other military families in your new city. Hearing firsthand from locals can give you greater insight into each school’s culture. 

Pro Tip: If you’re working with a real estate agent, ask them for help on choosing the right school! An experienced agent will be intimately familiar with the area and has likely assisted many families through this process already. 

Next Steps: Helping Children Transition to a New School 

Moving is a challenging experience for everyone, especially for school-aged children. To make the move easier, find something at the new school—like a club or sports team—that your kids will be excited about. 

You can also simplify the move by involving your child in choosing their new school. Bring them along to school visits and encourage them to express their thoughts on the new environments. This can make all the difference in relieving their fears of the unknown. 

Ultimately, this move can be an opportunity for growth, new friendships, and enriched learning experiences for your child. By taking the time to find the right school for your child, you can make an informed decision and ensure a smooth transition for your child.