Mission
Why does the school exist? What does it seek to accomplish? Does conflict exist between your own personal mission and that of the school? Is the school’s mission in accord with your own deepest convictions about life, parenting, your children, and your faith?

Faith
Is the community secular or faith-based? Are you comfortable in an inter-denominational and Christ-centered setting? Are you looking for a school that encourages students to integrate their faith and reason? Do you believe that “all truth is God’s truth”?

Curriculum
Is the curriculum integrated, cohesive, time-tested, and proven? Is it geared towards “teaching for the test” or equipping students with tools to be lifetime learners? Are students challenged and shaped by great ideas or the latest fads? Do the students love learning?

Faculty
Is the faculty experienced and qualified in their respective fields? What percentage has advanced degrees? What’s the student/teacher ratio? Are teachers both inspirational role models and mentors? Do they have a passion for their disciplines and students?

Scope
Does the school’s program stop at 4th, 6th, or 8th grade? If so, why? Are you prepared to move your child to another school in the future or do you prefer a school with a K-12 program and a proven track record of graduates?

Culture
Do you seek a homogenous environment of people from the same zip codes and neighborhoods? Or, do you value a more mixed community? Are you seeking a school that’s only exclusive or one that is geared towards the family and academically rigorous for the average to exceptional student?

Location
Do you want a school down the street or in downtown? Near the office or centrally located? Is this school in an accessible location from throughout Dallas even if you had to move across town? Does or will the school have a location to maximize its impact in the city?

Size
Do you value a large school or a small town intimate setting? Do you care if your child is one among many in large classroom settings? Or, do you prefer your child to have more individual attention? Will your child know his or her teachers and peers well?

Cost
Is the school affordable? Are you able to pay the price? How does the school respond to financial aid needs? Does the school exhibit a commitment to assisting families who otherwise could not afford it? How do costs compare with other schools? Is tuition cost-based or undervalued?

Vision
Where is the school headed? Does it have a strategic plan to advance its mission? Does it have its own facilities? If not, does it have suitable land and plans to build a new campus? Is the school fiscally sound? Does it have a future that is sustainable and compelling?