Choosing the Right School for Your Child in 2027: Why the Best Fit Starts With Understanding Your Child

By Lisa Padilla | Arizona Health & Living

Choosing the right school for a child involves more than comparing rankings, reading reviews or selecting the institution with the strongest reputation. The most important consideration may be understanding the child who will walk through those school doors every day.

As families begin thinking about the 2027 school year, Michelle Smith, founder and chief education strategist of Independent Education Group, encourages parents to take a closer look at their children’s individual needs before beginning the school search.

In an interview with Arizona Health & Living, Michelle Smith, founder and chief education strategist of Independent Education Group, discusses how parents can evaluate school options, recognize their children’s individual learning and social needs, and identify educational environments where they can feel supported, challenged and connected.

“Before looking at schools, I encourage parents to ask: ‘When does my child feel capable, curious, and connected?’ The answer often tells us more than a report card,” Smith says.

With more than 20 years of experience in education as a dean of students, principal, head of school and educational leader, Smith works with families nationwide to help them navigate educational decisions and identify environments where children can thrive.

Her advice begins with a simple principle: The right school is not necessarily the most popular one. It is the environment that best supports the individual child.

Start With the Child, Not the School Rankings

Before researching schools, parents should consider how their child learns, responds to challenges and interacts with others.

Does the child enjoy lively classroom discussions, or prefer time to think before participating? Do they need additional structure, or do they thrive with independence? Are they challenged academically, or are they earning good grades without feeling engaged?

Smith encourages parents to observe these patterns rather than rely on fixed labels about learning styles.

Personality and social development are equally important. Some children enjoy a large school community with a wide range of opportunities, while others feel more comfortable in smaller environments where relationships develop consistently.

A child may perform well academically but still need support with organization, confidence or friendships.

“At IEG, our starting point is that every child deserves to be deeply known,” Smith says. “Understanding the child gives parents a meaningful foundation for evaluating a school’s promises.”

Recognizing When a School May No Longer Be the Right Fit

Sometimes the signs that a child is struggling at school are not reflected in grades.

Smith encourages parents to pay attention to changes in how children talk about themselves. For example, saying an assignment is difficult is different from saying, “I’m just not smart.”

Other signs worth noticing include persistent reluctance to attend school, withdrawing from activities, losing curiosity or appearing unusually exhausted from simply getting through the day.

These observations do not automatically mean a child needs to change schools. Parents should first look for patterns and consider whether the concern involves a particular class, friendship or the broader school experience.

Conversations with teachers and administrators can help families understand what is happening and whether appropriate support is available.

Smith recommends asking school personnel to identify the concern, suggest specific support and agree on a time to review progress. A temporary challenge may improve when addressed thoughtfully. A continuing mismatch becomes more concerning when a child’s needs remain unmet despite appropriate support.

Concerns about a child’s safety, she emphasizes, require immediate attention.

Understanding the Educational Options

Traditional public school is not the only option families can consider. Charter, magnet, private and online schools may offer different environments and educational approaches.

However, Smith cautions parents against assuming that a particular school category guarantees a good fit.

“Begin with what your child needs to experience each day, then investigate which schools can provide it,” she says.

Parents should look beyond a school’s description or promotional materials and ask what the actual classroom experience looks like.

Questions to consider include:

• How is instruction delivered?
• How do teachers respond when students need additional explanation or more challenging work?
• What academic and personal support is available?
• Who provides that support, and how does a student access it?

For specialized programs, families should consider whether the broader school environment also meets their child’s needs.

Online education deserves additional consideration. Smith recommends looking at opportunities for live interaction with teachers, feedback, daily structure, social relationships and the amount of adult support expected at home.

Practical matters also influence whether a school choice is sustainable. Transportation, tuition and other expenses, schedules and family responsibilities should be part of the evaluation.

Belonging Matters Beyond Academics

A child’s school experience is about more than classroom performance. Feeling comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, seeking help and participating in school life can influence how connected a student feels.

During a school visit, Smith encourages parents to observe everyday interactions.

Do teachers and other adults greet students by name? Are students comfortable speaking with their teachers? Are quieter students invited into conversations? If possible, parents should observe a typical school day and speak with current students.

She also recommends asking administrators practical questions, such as:

• How do you recognize when a student is becoming disconnected?
• Who would notice if my child were eating lunch alone?
• How do you help a new student find a place in the school community?

Extracurricular opportunities deserve a closer look, too. A school may offer impressive athletics, arts and other programs, but parents should consider whether students at different experience levels can participate.

The opportunity to join, contribute and develop an interest can be just as important as the opportunity to excel.

Include Children in the Decision

Children should have a meaningful voice in choosing their educational environment, with the level of involvement depending on their age and maturity.

Parents remain responsible for practical boundaries, including affordability, transportation and essential support. Within those boundaries, children can help identify what matters to them.

For younger children, parents can ask simple questions about what they enjoyed during a school visit or whether they felt comfortable talking with someone.

Older students can research programs, prepare questions and reflect on visits or shadow days.

Smith suggests allowing family members to discuss their impressions separately before comparing notes. This gives children room to express their honest reactions without immediately adopting a parent’s enthusiasm or concerns.

If a student strongly prefers a particular school, parents should explore the reason. An interest in science, a sport or a more independent learning environment may reveal something important. A preference based primarily on following friends deserves a thoughtful conversation as well.

The goal is not simply to let children make the decision, but to help them participate meaningfully in it.

Start Planning for Fall 2027 Now

For families considering a school change for fall 2027, Smith recommends using the current fall season to clarify priorities, research a manageable number of schools and schedule visits.

Parents can begin by discussing what is working in their child’s current environment and what they hope a different school might provide.

She also recommends creating a separate calendar for each school and tracking application and financial-aid deadlines, interviews, assessments, recommendations, transcripts and any portfolio or audition requirements.

Many private schools have winter application deadlines, although dates vary. Charter and magnet schools may have separate application windows, eligibility requirements and lotteries. Families should confirm current requirements and deadlines directly with each school or district.

Other practical considerations include entry grades, available spaces, transportation, total costs and enrollment commitments.

Starting early gives families more time to explore their options without feeling pressured to make a decision. Researching another school does not mean a family must leave its current one.

When Siblings Need Different Schools

Parents sometimes assume siblings should attend the same school, but children within one family can have very different educational needs.

One child may flourish in a large, independent environment, while another benefits from more structure and closer relationships with adults. Even siblings with similar academic abilities may thrive in different settings.

Smith encourages parents to approach those differences without creating comparisons or making one child’s school seem better than another’s.

“Fairness does not always mean providing an identical experience. It means taking each child’s needs seriously,” she says.

Families should also consider the practical demands of different school arrangements, including transportation, expenses and scheduling. The goal is to make thoughtful choices that support each child while remaining manageable for the family.

Three Lessons for Parents Choosing a School

When asked what she most wants families to remember, Smith offers three guiding lessons.

First, know your child before evaluating schools. Reputation may attract attention, but a child’s individual needs should guide the decision. Parents should consider what an ordinary school day will feel like for their child.

Second, look for both challenge and connection. Children need opportunities to grow academically while knowing that adults will recognize when they need help. Parents should ask who will know their child well and how that relationship will be maintained.

Third, revisit school fit as children grow. A school that works beautifully at one stage may need to be reassessed later. An annual educational checkup can help families consider whether their child is learning, participating, developing confidence and becoming more independent.

Ultimately, choosing a school is about finding the environment in which a child can be understood, appropriately challenged and supported as they grow.

As Smith explains, “The most useful question is: ‘Where can this child be understood, appropriately challenged, and supported as they grow?’”

For parents beginning the search for the 2027 school year, that may be the best place to start.

Learn More: Families interested in educational guidance can visit Independent Education Group.

This article is based on an interview with Michelle Smith. Her views are presented as those of the interviewee. The article is intended for general educational purposes and does not constitute individualized educational advice.

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Image courtesy of Independent Education Group