Families across the Triangle region face an abundance of educational choices, making the process of choosing private school options both exciting and overwhelming. With dozens of schools serving communities from Cary and Apex to Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina, how do you identify which environment will truly serve your child's needs and align with your family's values?
Since 2002, Resurrection Lutheran School has served families seeking Christ-centered, academically rigorous education for students in junior kindergarten through eighth grade. Our experience working with families throughout this decision-making process has revealed that successful school selection depends on asking the right questions and understanding what private school evaluation criteria matter most for your unique situation.
Understanding Your Family's Educational Priorities
Before visiting schools or reviewing marketing materials, take time to clarify what matters most to your family. Without this foundation, you'll struggle to distinguish between schools or may find yourself swayed by impressive but ultimately irrelevant features.
Gather your family and discuss your educational values honestly. What do you hope education accomplishes beyond basic academic skills? How important is faith integration? What role should character development play? How do you balance academic rigor with childhood joy?
Consider your child's specific needs and personality. Does your child thrive with structure or need flexibility? Do they learn best through hands-on experiences or traditional instruction? Are they naturally social or more reserved? How do they respond to challenges?
Essential priority areas to clarify:
- Academic philosophy and rigor level
- Role of faith and spiritual formation
- Class size and student-teacher ratios
- Community atmosphere and values
- Extracurricular offerings
- Discipline approach
- Communication systems
- Location and logistics
Write down your top five non-negotiable criteria and your preferred but flexible expectations. This list becomes your compass throughout the evaluation process, helping you assess each school objectively rather than emotionally.
Evaluating Academic Programs and Philosophy
Academic quality forms the foundation of any school evaluation, but "quality" means different things to different families. Some prioritize test scores and college preparation, while others emphasize creativity, critical thinking, or well-rounded development.
When evaluating the academic program at any school, look beyond curriculum lists to understand the educational philosophy. How do teachers approach instruction? What learning theories inform their practice? How do they balance content coverage with deep understanding?
At Resurrection Lutheran School, our educational program follows North Carolina State Standards as a baseline while integrating national standards and extension activities. This ensures students master required content while being challenged beyond minimum expectations. Our dual accreditation through National Lutheran Schools and Cognia demonstrates our commitment to rigorous external evaluation of educational quality. These values are woven into daily interactions, curriculum decisions, and school policies.
Investigate the writing emphasis across subjects. Strong writing skills predict success in high school, college, and professional life more reliably than most other academic measures. Schools that prioritize writing throughout the curriculum—not just in English class—develop students who can think clearly and communicate effectively.
Assessing Class Size and Student-Teacher Relationships
Class size significantly impacts educational quality, though specific numbers matter less than what those numbers enable. Small classes allow teachers to know students individually, adapt instruction to different needs, and build relationships that support learning.
When schools advertise small class sizes, ask what they mean specifically. A "small" elementary class might range from 12 to 20 students depending on the school. Understand not just the maximum but the typical class size and whether certain grades have larger enrollments than others.
More important than raw numbers is how small classes translate into instructional practice. During school visits, observe whether teachers seem to know students individually. Do they call on students by name? Do they provide individualized feedback? Can they describe each student's strengths and growth areas?
At Resurrection Lutheran School, our class sizes allow teachers to develop deep knowledge of each student's learning patterns, social dynamics, and individual needs. This personalized attention means students receive targeted support rather than generic interventions.
Understanding the Faith Formation Approach
For families seeking Christian education, understanding how faith integrates into school life is essential. Schools vary dramatically in their approach—from those where religion is a separate subject to those where biblical principles inform all learning.
Ask specific questions about faith formation. How much time is devoted to explicit religious instruction? What does chapel look like? How are biblical principles integrated into other subjects? What theological tradition guides the school's approach?
At Resurrection Lutheran School, our Christ-centered approach means faith isn't compartmentalized but woven throughout the educational experience. Students don't just learn about Christianity; they learn to view all subjects through a biblical worldview, understanding how faith informs their approach to science, literature, history, and relationships.
Examining Community and Culture
School culture—the intangible atmosphere that defines daily experience—matters tremendously but remains difficult to evaluate from marketing materials. You must experience a school firsthand to sense whether the community feels welcoming, whether students seem happy, and whether the environment aligns with your family's values.
During school visits, observe interactions between students. Do they treat each other kindly? Do different groups interact or remain segregated? How do older students relate to younger ones? The student body's social dynamics reveal much about school culture.
Signs of positive school culture:
- Students appear engaged and appropriately challenged
- Adults know students by name and show genuine interest
- Families describe feeling welcomed and valued
- Communication flows regularly and transparently
- Problems are addressed directly and constructively
- Diversity is embraced while shared values unite the community
Ask current families about their experience. Most schools can provide contact information for parents willing to share perspectives. Ask about communication quality, how the school handles concerns, and whether the community lives up to its marketing promises.
Evaluating Extracurricular Opportunities
While academics form the core of education, extracurricular activities provide essential opportunities for students to discover interests, develop talents, and learn skills that classroom instruction alone cannot teach.
Review the breadth of offerings across different domains. Does the school provide opportunities in athletics, fine arts, academic clubs, and service learning? While no school can offer everything, strong programs provide diverse options that allow different students to find their passion.
At Resurrection Lutheran School, students can participate in athletics including volleyball, cross country, basketball, and cheerleading across different seasons. Our fine arts program includes music, visual art, and drama, while leadership opportunities exist through National Junior Honor Society for eligible middle school students.
Assessing Practical Considerations
Even if a school excels academically and philosophically, practical logistics significantly impact your family's daily life and overall satisfaction. Honest evaluation of practical factors prevents future frustrations.
Key practical factors to evaluate:
- Location and commute: Consider drive time during actual school hours
- School hours: Ensure the schedule aligns with work and family commitments
- Before and After School Care: Evaluate availability, hours, and costs if needed
- Calendar alignment: Review school year dates, breaks, and holiday schedules
- Tuition and fees: Understand complete costs including hidden expenses
- Financial aid availability: Explore what assistance exists for qualifying families
- Communication systems: Assess how schools keep families informed
- Safety and facility quality: Evaluate building condition and security measures
At Resurrection Lutheran School, our school day runs from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, with Before Care available from 7:15 am to 8:15 am Monday through Friday and After Care from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday. This schedule accommodates working families while maintaining a traditional school day structure. If financial considerations create hesitation, we encourage you to explore the information on our Affording Resurrection page and discuss options with our financial administrator.
Making the Final Decision
After visiting schools, gathering information, and reflecting on your priorities, the time comes to make a decision. This choice need not feel overwhelming if you've approached the evaluation process systematically.
Review your original priority list alongside the information you've gathered about each school. Which schools meet your non-negotiables? How do they compare on your preferred but flexible criteria? Where do you see the best overall alignment?
Trust your instincts about community fit. If a school checks all boxes on paper but something feels off during visits, pay attention to that intuition. Conversely, if a school feels immediately right and meets your essential criteria, that positive response likely indicates genuine compatibility.
Questions to finalize your decision:
- Can we see our child thriving in this environment?
- Does this school's philosophy align with our educational values?
- Will our child be appropriately challenged and supported?
- Does the faith formation approach complement our family's beliefs?
- Can we manage the practical logistics and financial commitment?
- Do we feel welcomed and valued by this community?
Understanding Accreditation and Quality Indicators
Accreditation provides external validation of educational quality, though not all accreditation carries equal weight. Understanding what different accreditations mean helps you evaluate schools more accurately.
Regional and national accrediting bodies conduct comprehensive evaluations of schools, examining curriculum, instruction, assessment, facilities, governance, and financial stability. Schools pursuing accreditation undergo extensive self-study followed by external review teams who verify quality standards.
Resurrection Lutheran School holds dual accreditation through National Lutheran Schools Association and Cognia. These rigorous processes ensure we meet high standards for both faith-based education and academic excellence. This dual accreditation demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement and external accountability.
Taking the Next Step
Evaluating schools thoroughly requires time and energy, but this investment pays dividends in your child's educational experience and your family's satisfaction. The framework provided here helps you approach the decision systematically rather than feeling overwhelmed by choices.
If Resurrection Lutheran School interests you as you evaluate the best christian schools in your area, we invite you to experience our community firsthand. Schedule a tour to observe classes, meet teachers, and see students engaged in learning. During your visit, ask questions specific to your family's needs and notice whether our environment feels like a place where your child would thrive.
For more information about our programs, admissions process, or to schedule your tour, please contact us. We look forward to meeting your family and answering your questions as you navigate this important decision.
