How to choose a school when you move to a small town

If you have school-age children, schools may be the biggest single factor in choosing a town. The good news, in Frank and Dave's experience, is that small-town schools can be excellent. The key is to look closely before you commit.

Public or private

Every town is served by public schools, and many small towns also have one or more private schools. Some of those private schools only go through eighth grade, so ask where students usually go after that, and tour that high school too.

The book suggests private school can be the easiest adjustment for city kids, with smaller classes and teachers who can be more accommodating. Public schools in small towns can be excellent too. In Frank and Dave's experience, the adults in town take education seriously and stay closely involved.

Church-based private schools

In many small towns, the private school is run by a church, often as a Catholic school. In the authors' experience, children of all faiths are usually welcome.

Small-town private schools also aren't turning families away the way some city schools do, so they want your business. The book says tuition is often about 75% less than at a similar private school in a big city. That's Frank and Dave's experience, so ask each school for its current tuition and what it includes.

Tour every school

Visit each school and picture your child there. Questions worth asking on the tour:

• How big are the classes in my child's grade?
• What advanced, career or vocational courses does the high school offer?
• Which sports, arts programs and clubs could my child join?
• How do you help students who transfer in partway through the year?
• What help is available if my child needs extra support?
• If we live out in the country, is there a school bus?

If a school isn't right, look at another town. As the book warns, "It's unlikely the school system will change much if you are unhappy with it."

Go to a game

If school is in session, go to a football or basketball game, a concert or a play. You'll see the parents, meet a few people and get a feel for how families in town get along. It's one of the easiest ways to see what your child's world would look like.

While you're there, ask a few parents what they like about the school and what they would change. Their answers can tell you more than any brochure.

Compare test scores

You can compare test results for the schools you're considering with your child's current school. Frank was amazed at what he found. The scores in his small town were higher than at the expensive private school his daughter had attended in the city.

Here's where to look:

• Your state's school report cards. Each state's department of education publishes report cards with test results for its schools and districts. Search for the state's name and "school report card."
• The National Center for Education Statistics. Its public school search and private school search list the schools in a town with basic facts, such as the grades each one serves and how many students it has.

Each state uses its own tests, so be careful comparing scores across state lines. Compare schools within the same state, or look at how each school ranks within its own state.

Test scores are only part of the picture. Weigh them alongside what you saw on the tour and what other parents told you.

Think ahead to college

When you're choosing a state, look at its colleges too. Some states have many public colleges with big discounts for in-state students. Others have few choices, or tuition that isn't much of a bargain. A strong, affordable college in your own state can save your family a great deal down the road.

To compare, try College Navigator from the National Center for Education Statistics, where you can look up tuition and other costs for each college. Once you've settled on a town, the high school counselor can tell you about scholarships for in-state students.

Timing matters too

When you move can make the school change easier or harder. Frank has a clear preference, and making the move explains why he favors a Christmas move for families with kids.

And if schools are steering you toward a particular kind of town, the choosing a town guide can help you weigh the other trade-offs.

There's more on schools, including Frank's own experience, in the free book.