Choosing a school: red flags

“High staff turnover is a bad sign. You want strong leadership too, so if the principal, headmaster, or board of directors is changing every couple of years, this points to a lack of stability. If my child is in Grade 2, I’d like to know there’s continuity from Grade 2 to 3.

What are the goals of the school? What are their priorities? How do they approach the curriculum? If a school can’t answer those questions, this is not a good sign.”
—Ann and Karen Wolff, Education Consultant, Wolff Educational Services

“Bad schools aren’t transparent: they don’t communicate clearly, or they do so with a spin. You should also avoid schools that give you a high-pressure sales pitch—those that accept your child immediately and push you to sign on the dotted line, often asking for all the money up front. Of course, this differs from a school that says, ‘We need to know in 10 days because we have a waiting list.’”
—Janyce Lastman, Education Consultant, The Tutor Group

“The biggest red flag is a lack of commitment to understanding your child. That might mean not doing initial testing, not reviewing assessments, or not arranging an in-person interview. You want to ensure communication goes both ways. It’s almost like a dating service—you need to vet the school and decide if it’s the right fit for your child.”
—Una Malcolm, Director, Bright Light Learners

“I wouldn’t recommend a school that didn’t have good practices. Leadership, educational philosophy, execution, teachers, parent community, a joyful learning environment, parent participation, a solid admissions process—it’s all about strong, consistent practice. If those elements aren’t present, it can’t be a good fit.”
—Elaine Danson, Education Consultant, Danson and Associates