One of the biggest challenges of long-distance moving is getting everything set up for your new location. Finding the right school for your child will be one of the top priorities. You may be moving to where you have no friends or family to assist you locally. If you’re able to visit, you’ve got too many things you’re trying to get done--renting or buying a house, and the logistics with the new job. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your relocation and may narrow down the neighborhoods you consider in your search for a house or apartment.  

Moving Anxiety

Moving creates anxiety and stress for the whole family. Your child will be especially vulnerable after the relocation. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine published a study that concluded people who move during their childhood had a higher risk of mental illness and substance abuse. The highest rate was among children who moved at the ages of 12 to 15.

Getting them into the right school environment can help stabilize their world, which has been shaken up. It’s unfortunate that not every child has access to good schools, but that’s the reality we live in.

How to Choose

Finding a school with a positive learning environment that focuses on academic excellence and after-school programs and activities will help your child adjust and maybe even thrive. There are probably good reasons why you’re moving. If it’s a better job that will provide more income, or if the community has a lot to offer, then it’s possible your child, while a little anxious, is excited about the move as you are.

There are several factors to look at when choosing a school, and you must determine what is most important. Public, private, magnet, and charter schools offer different curriculums and experiences.

Pursue Their Interests

When researching each type, determine if the school has the academic programs or extracurricular activities that you’re looking for. Do the area schools have the same activities your child was previously enrolled in? Do they offer foreign languages or have the sports facilities that your child is interested in? Moving is very difficult for children. If they are able to participate in the same activities at their new school as their old one, the transition will be easier for them.

Investigate From Afar

Visiting each school that interests you in person is ideal, but may not always be possible. A realtor that lives in the area can be a great source for local information on schools. They may be able to give you information about local schools beyond just numbers and statistics. Keep in mind, however, that they may also have biases and there’s incentive for them to get you into a more expensive neighborhood.

Here are some great online resources when it comes to researching schools:

• Neighborhood Scout is a valuable tool that ranks neighborhoods and high performing school districts. It also shows you if the school is located in a high crime area, and gives statistics on the types of crimes in the area.
• Use The National Center for Education Statistics to research information for individual school districts in the area you are moving.
• SchoolDigger.com allows you to compare multiple schools in your area.
• Great Schools provides a wealth of information on individual schools from teacher reviews, test scores, ratings, and program information.

You can also seek out Facebook groups or online forums like NextDoor, where the locals can give you the straight dope. 

There is so much to consider when it comes time to move, from choosing a new home to hiring a reliable professional for packing and transporting your belongings. Relying on consumer feedback is a good way to find someone reliable, so consider Angie's Moving Services. You can read reviews and connect with someone with a solid reputation that way, and might even score local deals through the site. 

Getting your kids into a good school in the new community will help them emotionally and academically. There are a lot of tools at your disposal to help you research, compare, and select the right school for your child. Finding the school that offers the curriculums, programs, and extracurricular activities that are important to your child will help them adjust and give them something to look forward to with the new move.

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