GreatSchools

How to Find Good Schools for Your Children
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has partnered with GreatSchools, a national non-profit educational resource for parents. The website, www.GreatSchools.org, offers a database of public, private, charter and magnet schools across the U.S.
The user-friendly website includes information on how parents can choose the best school for their children. It features articles and videos that provide information on how parents can help their children be successful in school with free materials such as homework help tips, subject-based worksheets, parent-teacher conference information, college preparation support, and answers to parenting questions.
Screen Shot of the GreatSchools Website
To find a school, simply type in a city, zip code, or mailing address and your child’s grade level. From there, a listing of local schools will appear with a GreatSchools Rating, including school performance information, school description, and parents’ comments, and other relevant information, such as school address and contact information. School data on the website comes from a variety of sources, such as the National Center for Education Statistics.
GreatSchools Top 10 Tips for Parents
Here are 10 practical ways you can get involved:
  1. Meet the principal and teachers at the beginning of the school year. Tell them you expect your child to do well in school. (Research shows this simple conversation actually helps kids do better in school!)
  2. Find out the best way to reach your child’s teacher and tell him or her the best way to reach you (e.g. cell phone/texting, email, phone call).
  3. Go to back-to-school night and events at your child’s school. Kids who see their parents at school get better grades.
  4. Regularly check your child’s backpack for notes, and keep track of homework.
  5. Create a study space with good lighting and set a regular time for homework.
  6. Help your child with his homework if needed, and always check it when he's done.
  7. Read, read, read. Have your child read every day. Read to her, read with her -- and make sure your child sees you reading, as well.
  8. Provide healthy food for every meal. Skip the sweets and soda -- these foods don’t help kids learn.
  9. Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Kids ages 1 to 3 need 12 to 14 hours of sleep a night. Kids 3 to 5 need 11 to 13 hours. Kids 5 to 12 require 10 to 11 hours. Teens need at least 8.5 hours of sleep every night.
  10. Go online to www.GreatSchools.org and get other ideas for helping you help your child be the best that they can be.