The first thing to consider is which city. How much of a commute is acceptable for both school and work? Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of a larger city like Tacoma or the quiet of suburbs or the countryside you might find in outlying areas of Tumwater or Olympia? It really comes down to your personality and the needs of your family. Once you’ve decided where you want to live, find out how many school districts are within this location.
Each school district may offer special programs, so that is a good place to start. Do your children have any particular needs in a school such as speech therapy or a gifted program that is necessary? If so, start with the school district that offers the needed program. Other things to consider: is art or music important in your household, do you require a specific sports program such as soccer or football, will your children need to ride a bus?
Check the school district's website to find test scores or rankings. This will give you a clue as to how well the school is doing teaching children the basics such as reading, writing, and math. Every state has its own standardized testing and scoring system. It's a good idea to get familiar with the test names and scoring systems. You can usually find this information on the district or even state websites.
There are pros and cons to having a big vs. a small school. A smaller school usually gives more individualized attention to each student. On the other hand, there are going to be less programs and activities for the students at smaller schools. You will need to assess your children's personalities to determine which size would be a better fit.
Check other websites such as www.greatschool.net. You will find information such as the number of students and the ratio of students per teacher. These websites also show demographics, give the school a rating, and even show some reviews from parents of current students.
Make sure the school you pick stays within your assigned school boundary. The district website is a good place to find district newsletters. Look to see if there are any plans for re-drawing the school boundaries. If you are still unsure, a quick phone call can save you a lot of disappointment later on.
Once you have narrowed down the schools to a couple of favorites, call the school and ask for a meeting with the principal or vice principal. Talk to them regarding your children's specific needs and ask if a school tour is possible. A little bit of research and pre-planning goes a long way in helping make the moving transition easier for you and your children.
Links to local districts you may be purchasing a home in:
Tacoma - www.tacoma.k12.wa.us
Olympia – www.osd.wednet.edu
Tumwater - www.tumwater.k12.wa.us
Lacey (North Thurston School district) - www.nthurston.k12.wa.us
