I encourage you to personally tour the school and meet the educators and students, form your own opinion and leave a comment here.
Best of luck with your search for the perfect school!
Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out what to ask and what to look for during a school tour.
To help you navigate this process, we’ve compiled insights from experienced parents in the Melbourne Schools Discussion Group. The questions in this guide, generously shared by parents in the Group, represent years of collective wisdom and experience. They’re designed to help you look beyond the polished presentations and understand what daily life at the school is really like.
While these questions mainly apply to primary school tours, many are also relevant when touring secondary schools. The fundamentals of good teaching, student wellbeing, and school culture matter at every level of education.
While facilities and grounds matter, what happens inside the classroom makes the real difference. This comprehensive guide will help you ask the right questions to understand not just what a school looks like, but how it operates and whether it’s the right fit for your child.
Teaching and Learning Approach
Educational Pedagogy
- What is the school’s educational approach—inquiry-based or explicit instruction?
- Does the school use evidence-based approaches to education?
- How are lessons structured to support struggling and advanced learners?
Reading, Writing, and Spelling
- How does the school teach reading, writing, and spelling?
- Do you use balanced literacy or structured literacy in the junior school?
- What systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) and decodable readers do you use?
- How is phonics instruction sequenced and delivered?
- Do you use decodable readers in the early years?
- What programs or materials are used for teaching reading and phonics (e.g., Sounds-Write, UFLI)?
Literacy Assessment
- How do teachers assess progress in reading?
- Do you conduct regular phonics screenings, such as the Year 1 phonics check?
- What assessment tools do you use (e.g., DIBELS)?
Mathematics Instruction
- How does the school teach mathematics?
- Does math instruction begin with concrete experiences and progress to abstract concepts?
- What emphasis is placed on building fluency, problem-solving skills, and deep conceptual understanding?
Class Structure and Environment
Class Size and Ratios
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
- What are the class sizes, especially in Prep to Year 2?
- Do you have composite classes?
- How many prep classes do you expect to have?
Classroom Setup
- How are the classrooms set up?
- Do you have open-plan learning, and what year levels have this?
- Is there a reading corner in each classroom?
Support for Diverse Learners
Struggling Students
- What programs are in place for struggling students?
- How do you help children who are behind?
- What support is available for struggling learners (tier 2 and tier 3 interventions)?
Advanced Students
- How do you support children who are ahead?
- What opportunities are provided for gifted students through enrichment activities?
Special Learning Needs
- How does the school support students with special learning needs?
- Does the school provide Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with targeted interventions?
- What accommodations are available, such as extra time or assistive technology?
English as a Second Language
- What ESL program (English as a Second Language) do you offer?
Student Wellbeing and Culture
School Culture
- What is the school culture like?
- How do kids treat each other?
- Watch how teachers and staff talk to the kids—do they know their names and talk kindly to them?
Behaviour Management
- What is the school’s approach to behaviour management?
- What’s your approach to discipline?
- What are the school’s policies on bullying?
- How do you deal with bullying?
Social-Emotional Learning
- How does the school support social-emotional learning?
- What mental health, wellbeing, and first aid programs look like?
- What is the school’s wellbeing/pastoral program?
Practical Considerations
School Hours and Care
- What are the school’s hours and drop-off/pick-up process?
- Does the school offer before- or after-school care?
- Do you have a canteen or delivered ‘canteen-style’ food?
Food and Allergies
- What policies do they have around eating/lunch boxes/allergies?
- What break and food times do they get?
Technology
- What is the school’s approach to technology in the classroom?
- How is technology incorporated into the school curriculum?
Parent Involvement and Communication
Communication
- What kind of communication can I expect from the school?
- Some schools upload newsletters on school websites—it’s worth having a look before going on the school tour
Parent Association
- How active is their parent association?
- What community events are organised by the Parents’ association?
Parent Involvement in Learning
- What involvement do parents have with learning?
- Do they give out homework? What age does this start?
Extracurricular and Enrichment
Activities and Programs
- What extracurricular activities are available?
- What co-curricular activities do you offer?
- What lunchtime clubs are available for kids to explore their interests?
- Do you have whole school productions?
Leadership Opportunities
- What leadership opportunities are available throughout the school, not just SRC?
Excursions and Camps
- How many camps, in-school visits, and excursions do you do in a year?
Transition and Community
Prep Transition
- How do you help Preps transition from kinder?
- Do you have a Prep-only playground for the first term?
- What support structures are in place to help them settle during term 1?
Community Connections
- Which kinders and daycares do you typically get children from?
- What interaction happens between children across year levels?
Student Retention
- What percentage of kids leave in Grade 5 to go off to private schools? (This is particularly relevant in higher socio-economic areas)
- If you have a January/April child, what percentage of children do you have that are younger/older?
School-Specific Considerations
For Religious Schools
- What is your approach to teaching religion and how is it incorporated into the day/week?
Staff Stability
- How long have teachers been employed for?
Library and Resources
- What varieties and numbers of library books do you have?
- Look into the cleanliness of students’ toilets
What to Observe
Beyond asking questions, take time to observe:
- How teachers and staff interact with students
- Whether staff know students’ names
- The tone and manner of communication
- How children treat each other
- The general atmosphere and energy of the school
- The cleanliness and maintenance of facilities
Remember, a solid foundation in literacy and numeracy in primary school means your child will be able to access the secondary curriculum effectively. Don’t be afraid to drill down into the details of how these essential skills are taught.
Conclusion
Choosing a school is about more than impressive facilities or high academic results. It’s about finding a place where your child will thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
As you visit different schools, you’ll likely discover that each one has a unique culture and approach. Some questions will be more relevant to your family than others, and that’s perfectly okay. Use this guide as a starting point, but also trust your instincts. Pay attention to how you feel when you walk through the doors, how staff and students interact, and whether you can picture your child being happy there.
Remember, there’s no such thing as a perfect school—but there is a right school for your child. Taking the time to ask thoughtful questions and make careful observations will help you find it.
Best of luck on your school selection journey! We hope this guide helps you feel more confident and prepared as you explore your options.
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