Going to high school is an important event in anyone’s life. It is the first step towards a career and a professional life. The number of students who enroll in high schools is much higher than the number of students who are able to graduate from them. This is because students more often than not choose a high school that is not right for them.

The high school you choose has to be the right one for you or else you’ll end up wasting your time. How to choose the right high school is a question which can not be answered in the same manner for anyone.

There can be no prescribed guideline to follow as every person will have different priorities and issues. However, there are some factors that can determine whether a high school is right for you:

The Quality of Education

Choosing a school which is known for the superior quality of education is good because the chances of your success increase. If the students of a school consistently get good grades on their tests and examinations, this is a good indicator of the quality of education and enrolling in such a high school is the right thing to do.

Private vs. Public

Costs are a major determinant of which school you attend. Public high schools don’t charge any fee for the education. On the other hand, the private high schools are considered to be expensive. You have to look at the budget that your family can afford for your high school expenses when choosing between private and public schools.

Interests

For any student interested in sports, it is a good idea to look for a high school renowned for its sporting activities. Though all the public schools engage in sports to different extents, a school known for its sports is the place to be if you love the playground more than the classroom. Colleges offer sports scholarships and if you can excel at sports in high school, then there is a good chance that you might save a lot of money going to college.

Friends

This is a big question mark. You have been with your friends since playgroup and want to be in the same high school as them. However, they may be going to a very inferior school or to an extremely expensive school which your family cannot afford to pay for. Now what to do? It is better to make the decision keeping the other factors in your mind and not choosing a school just because your friends are going there. You can always make new friends and meet your old friends outside school.

Distance

If you are one of those lazy heads who can’t get out of bed in the morning quickly, the distance your high school is from your home will make a big difference. The greater distance you have to commute to your school, the earlier you would have to leave.

Unless you are an early riser, it is better to check out the high schools near your house first. Make a decision regarding the school when you are absolutely sure that you will be able to get to school on time.