The reputation of a school tells a lot of truth.

BarcelonaI remember the anxiety of the first time I pre-enrolled my eldest son in school. Like most parents, we wanted to choose the best option, so we considered proximity to home and the facilities, without forgetting the importance of the human and academic factors. We looked at quite a few schools, both public and private. The truth is, I felt more comfortable with the public ones. I've always believed in the need for good public schools, although I would never have sent my children to some of the high schools where I've worked. The environment, the families, and my children's classmates are key elements for me. However, we got a place at the school we wanted—ironically, after a month we had to change because we moved and it was too far away.

I've also had to change schools for one of my children even mid-year, precisely because a school we thought he'd be very happy at turned out to be the complete opposite. Sometimes the school you think will be the best for your children isn't, and as a parent, you feel very guilty. Therefore, since each child is unique, we enrolled them in different secondary schools. Each one required a different academic profile and environment.

As a teacher, I also participate in the open house events every year. Not all teachers are equally involved, but it's the moment when you have to earn the families' trust. I've certainly seen it all. Some schools took it very seriously because they had a bad reputation, while others already had their enrollment met and, therefore, success was guaranteed. There are also those that try to pass themselves off as something they're not. The best places I've worked are also those where word-of-mouth recommendations from families were effective, and there was more demand than supply. If you'd like some advice, from an insider's perspective, as a parent and teacher, a school's reputation says a lot about a school and its community, and therefore, about the involvement of families and teachers. Ask the long-time parents, those who already have older children at the school and know for sure if that school will be a good fit for their kids. All of this is very noticeable in the connection between teachers and students, and in the good final results.

In the case of secondary school, look for challenging vocational training programs or high school diplomas that prepare students for university. The school where you enroll your children should be a combination of good facilities, qualified staff, and a positive attitude, and ideally, families who are involved and intellectually curious. Look for schools that organize extracurricular activities that align with your personality. Oh, and a leadership team capable of calmly navigating the ever-challenging waters of education.