Articles in local newspapers and magazines can offer leads, and your state's education department Web site is also worth a look. You can often find Web sites that include data ranging from proficiency test scores to per-pupil expenditures for public school districts and private schools. Check with your state's education department to find out if there is a Web site for your area. Looking Around On an initial visit, the parent will probably meet with the director of admissions at a private school, or a principal or guidance counselor at a public school. Most of the latter aren't accustomed to the concept of school shopping, and parents may need to push harder to get the information they want.
Private schools are more likely to roll out the red carpet because of a little thing called tuition.
Most private schools are nonprofit organizations that have a chief executive who reports to a board of trustees. You should be sure to ask who is on that board. Public schools often have an elected board that hires a superintendent, who in turn oversees the principals of each building. It pays to ask about that school's leadership stability, too. It could be a bad sign if the superintendent's office has a revolving door.