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Private school has been a longstanding resource for parents whose children aren’t getting what they need from the public school system. Whether it’s advanced academic preparation, spiritual guidance, or special attention, parents can choose private schools that cater to their family’s specific needs, and private schools are offering more than ever before. But taking the private school plunge can be daunting; the schools are numerous and the programs diverse. So where do parents begin? If you’re considering enrolling your child in a private school for the first time, here are some tips to help make the process both more manageable and fruitful.

Start early. Consider shopping for schools a year or two before you plan to enroll your child. Many schools have a lengthy enrollment process as well wait lists, so don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application.

Inventory your needs. Begin by making a list of the main reasons you’re choosing to enroll your child in private school. This should give you a solid sense of what features will be of the greatest importance to you.

For example, if your high school student is bound for the Ivy League, you’ll want to refine your search by high academic rank and college preparatory success. If your child requires additional assistance in the classroom, class size may play a significant role in your decisions. If he or she is devoted to writing or drama, there are schools in Orange County dedicated to the arts.

Whether you’re looking into faith-based schools or secular ones, be sure the school’s policies and instructional approach meets the needs and expectations of all family members involved. I once had a student who was expelled from a private school for highlighting her hair, a practice one parent supported and the other condemned. Being clear about everyone’s expectations in the beginning can ward off grief later.

Investigate: let your fingers do the walking. While it’s become quite the 21st century cliché, we live in the age of technology. Most private schools offer abundant information on their websites, which is a great way to access essential information about the school’s philosophy (usually included in their “mission statement” or “about us” sections). If you’re trying to decide among faith-based schools, for example, their mission statements should give you some insight into how they approach the spiritual aspect of their curriculum.

Review the school’s discipline policy to ensure it’s in line with your family’s values.

While you’re perusing a school’s site, you may also want to review their test scores to see how the results compare to state and national scores. In addition, take a look at the current faculty’s accomplishments or the requirements for someone to become a faculty member. Many private schools don’t require teachers to carry the credentials required by public schools and, while holding a credential isn’t intrinsically linked to teaching ability, it may be a valuable tool in helping to assess the teaching institution as a whole. In addition, it may be useful to inquire about faculty turnover to get a sense of how established and stable the campus community is.

In addition to researching the more intangible aspects of the campus culture, look for the more concrete details that could have a significant impact on your decision like yearly tuition, which varies and can become quite costly. Investigate and request financial aid information early in the process.

Check to see if the school you’re interested in is accredited by a reputable organization. The accreditation process is a thorough analysis of the school by an independent group, and you can check a school’s accreditation status at www.accreditedschools.org/school-search, a site put together by The International Registry of Accredited Schools.

Make it a family affair. Be sure to involve your son or daughter in the process of selecting and visiting schools. If left out of the loop, he or she may end up hating the school even if it’s the perfect fit.

Get up close and personal. Nothing beats a firsthand experience. Once you’ve narrowed your choices to a handful of schools, call and make appointments for your family to visit the campus and meet school officials who will interact with your child and/or oversee his or her educational development (the dean, teachers, and even coaches).

Some schools offer programs that allow prospective students to attend class for an entire day to get to know the campus, teachers, and other students. Ask to observe a class and pay attention to the way the teacher interacts with students. How challenging and innovative is the curriculum and the way it’s presented? Are students encouraged to participate or simply “listen and learn?” As a general rule, the more student-centered the environment the better it is for student learning.

Take the plunge. After completing your research, you should be left with three to five schools. If the programs you’ve selected are competitive, be sure to apply to multiple schools to ensure your child’s admittance to at least one program that pleases everyone.

While you certainly pay a price for a private education, many parents believe that educators within private schools are less burdened than their public school counterparts and therefore more likely to have the time to recognize and nurture a child’s individual strengths, a commodity that, for many, is more than worth the price.