What factors helped you pick the right school for your kids?

[~Kim~]

I wanted a school that was as similar to my beliefs in learning as I could find. Initially I thought Steiner would suit that the most. But looking at it, it wouldn't have suited dd.
I also wanted a school where she wouldn't be bullied for who her dad was. He's a policeman here and many many of the local population come into contact with him/ his colleagues. So we had her booked into 2 private schools.
But when I visited, their schooling all seemed to involve religion, even the basic English and Maths type lessons. They were also highly competitive in terms of academia. Not how I think small children need to be encouraged into learning.
One also was lacking in an anti bullying policy, and insider knowledge showed me there was a problem with bullying there -not okay.
The teachers at the public school we chose are open, relaxed and friendly. The transition and now year 1 teacher is a huge believer in play based learning. There are anti bullying and buddy policies. It is a very community oriented school without being pushy.

The playground, ability to walk to school and art/music/language program's are an added bonus.

[feeb]

We are picking now!!

Number 1 is closeness to home I want the kids to be able to ride or scoot and walk rather than need to drive every day.
Size of school and classes
Music programs
LOTE programs
Art programs
Bullying managment

They are the things that have been important to us. From what I have been told from friend who are teachers and others in the area is that the NAPLAN results are only as good as the teacher student and parents that year. As it all depends on how they are committed to reaching there best and how much outside help and support they have for there learning.

We have 2 schools I am looking at 1 is 6 min walk, has Chinese program, Instrumental music is avilable, small school 180 kids has art program.
Other is 30 min walk on busy main road, so driving is realisticly going to happen most and hard to get to due to position and traffic at those times, amazing art program, Vietnamese bilingual program and teaches african drumming!

So both have most of what I want but art program at further away school far out shines the other but benefits to other school are swaying decision eg how close!