Questions to Ask Schools

Here are some questions to consider asking to learn more about your student’s school, how they are doing, and how to get more involved or more information about the school culture:

Asking questions can be a good way to:

  • Build relationships with a school’s principal, teachers, and other school team members.
  • Better understand the experiences of students.
  • Learn about resources available to support student learning. These questions help guide conversations with schools.
  • Click here to download or print a copy of our Questions to Ask Schools resource. You can also use the document to take notes or write your own questions.

Questions About Student Learning

  • How is your school performing with students that are like mine?
  • How can I keep track of my student’s progress between progress reports and report cards?
  • How do you measure student success? What does student success look like to the school?
  • How do you use this information for planning and other purposes?
  • What is your homework policy?
  • How much time on average do students spend on homework outside of the classroom each day?
  • How do you grade homework? What is the consequence if homework is incomplete?
  • How does your school support students who are not performing well?
  • What percentage of students in my student’s grade level are performing on grade level in English? In math? In science?
  • How do you support each student’s strengths, challenges, and unique needs?
  • Does your school have programs for students with learning challenges?
  • What can I do to support my student’s learning at home?
  • Is my student on track to graduate high school and apply to college? Is my student on track for the next grade level?

Questions About Other Learning Experiences

  • What programs can students take part in outside of the classroom? At what grade can they take part?
  • Do you offer sports, music, choir, clubs, field trips, etc.?
  • Are there advanced classes?
  • Do any classes prepare students for college or careers? How can I get more information?
  • What opportunities do students have to practice leadership skills?
  • Is there student government, sports, or other extracurriculars?

Questions About Curriculum and Testing

  • What curriculum do you use and why?
  • How do you teach subjects that are sensitive?
  • How do you incorporate diverse perspectives and experiences into your curriculum?
  • What is standardized testing like?
  • How many tests do students take in the school year
  • How does the curriculum help students prepare for college and/or a career?

Questions About Teacher and School Engagement

  • What is communication like between parents/guardians/caregivers and teachers?
  • How often should I expect to hear updates about how my student is doing?
  • How will updates about my student and school get communicated to me?
  • How can I schedule time to check in with you about my student?

Questions About School Culture

  • What programs can students take part in outside of the classroom? Do you offer sports, music, choir, clubs, field trips, etc.? At what grade can they take part?
  • What is your school’s mission and values? How do you encourage and incorporate those values in a school day?
  • Are there specific learning methods your school uses? (For example, small group learning, project-based learning, activity-based, inquiry-based, etc.)
  • What does your school offer that makes it different from other schools?
  • How does your school help students develop a sense of purpose?
  • How does your school inspire students to explore their individual passions and interests?
  • What does a typical school day look like? How long is the school day?
  • Are meals and snacks provided? Is there a dress code?
  • What types of facilities are on your school campus? Cafeteria? Gym? Playground? Library?
  • What technology is my student expected to use?
  • Is technology provided by the school? How is the technology balanced with other learning?
  • What is the diversity of your student population?
  • How does your school commit to Diversity and Inclusion to serve every student?
  • What is the average classroom size? What is the teacher-to-student ratio?
  • What do you see as the school’s strengths and weaknesses? Why? How would you like to see the school improve?
  • What is the process for applying to the school?
  • Does your school work with any local organizations? How do they help to support students with learning, projects, and other needs?

Questions About the School Team

  • Tell me about your school’s leadership team.
  • What is the retention rate of staff in your school? The turnover rate?
  • How long has my student’s teacher been teaching in the classroom?
  • What is the diversity of your school’s leadership team and staff?
  • How often do teachers and instructional leaders engage in professional development?

Questions About Transportation

  • Is bus service available?
  • What route does the bus take to school? What route does the bus take back home?
  • What time does the bus arrive to school? What time does the bus leave school? What time will the bus drop my student off after school?
  • Where will my student be dropped off when the bus arrives to school?
  • Who will be on the bus with my student?
  • Are there other transportation options?
  • What is the protocol if there is a bus emergency? How will I be contacted?
  • Who can I contact for more information?

Questions About Getting Involved

  • How do parents get involved in the school?
  • Are there volunteer opportunities for parents?
  • How can I get involved in my student’s class?
  • What’s the most important thing I can do to help my student be academically successful this year?

Questions About Supporting Multilingual Learners

  • How do you teach students who are learning English?
  • What programs do you offer to support language learning and studying?
  • How do you determine an educational plan unique to each multilingual learner?
  • What materials do you offer in Spanish or other languages?
  • What percentage of students at your school are multilingual learners?

Questions About Supporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs

  • How does your school support students with special needs?
  • How can I connect with other parents whose students have special needs similar to mine?

Questions About Social & Emotional Well-Being

  • What is your approach to discipline, safety, and bullying?
  • If my student experiences a disciplinary, safety, or bullying incident, when and how would I be notified and involved in the process?
  • How do you honor and reward your students?
  • Does the school have on-campus security/police? How many?
  • Where can I find information about your school’s discipline data?
  • How do you celebrate/embrace the culture of every student outside of national holidays?
  • What traditions does the school have that create a sense of community/belonging for every student?

Questions About Physical & Mental Well-Being

  • Does your school have a nurse on campus?
  • Does your school have a counselor on campus?
  • Does your school offer any type of physical education?

Questions About Fees for School Programs

  • What paid school programs should I anticipate for the school year? (Ex: School pictures, yearbook, field trips, musical instruments, graduation supplies, uniforms, technology, etc.?)