Begin by answering some basic questions

• Why do you want to send your child to private school?
• Where do you want to send your child to private school?
• When do you want to send your child to private school?
• How much school can you afford?
• Who are you sending to private school?
• What kind of school are you looking for?

Why do you want to send your child to private school?

What has brought you to this point? Are you unhappy with your child's academic progress or lack of it?

Do you want more sports and extracurricular activities?

You need to answer these questions honestly because you may discover that she is better off where she is. On the other hand, if you decide that it is time for a new school, then let's go on.

Where do you want to send your child to private school?

Basically you have two options: sending him to day school where you live or sending him off to boarding school. Make this decision before advancing to the next set of questions.

When do you want to send your child to private school?

Most parents decide to send their child to private school at any one or all of three stages in their child's life. Preschool, primary and high school are the three points when most of us think seriously about private school.

How much school can you afford?

Day school is less expensive than boarding school. Religious schools, whether, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Christian Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist or Baptist, generally cost much less than other kinds of day schools.

Always ask about financial aid. Most schools have generous aid programs.

Who are you sending to private school?

This question gets to the heart of the matter. Once you have decided to send your son off to private school, finding the best fit for him is the only thing which matters. Don't obsess about ranks or which school is most competitive. Find the school which fits him best. His happiness trumps all other considerations.

What kind of private school are you looking for?

This question and its answer or answers are tied in with the previous question. Maybe a single sex school is the answer. Or a military school? The choices are many. Have open and honest discussions with your child about the point of a good education and developing a network of friends. These discussions will focus you on the kind of school you need to find.

An educational consultant will be invaluable because she can efficiently guide your school search process. Think seriously about hiring a consultant. It will save you much valuable time.