Essential Tips for Finding the Right School for Your Child (as an expat in the US)

Finding the right school for Sophie when we moved from Singapore to the Bay Area was probably one of the most stressful parts of our relocation. In Singapore, the education system is structured and well-understood — you generally know what you're getting. Here in the US? I felt like I was navigating a maze with no map :P

If you're an expat parent going through this, I want to share what I wish someone had told me. None of this is meant to be definitive — every family is different — but from my experience, these are the things worth paying attention to.

Research the school's academic programs and curriculum

This sounds obvious, but I think expat parents sometimes take it for granted that schools will cover similar things. They don't always. Check the school website or the district website to understand what's actually being taught. Some schools have specific focuses (STEM, arts, etc.) that might or might not align with your child's interests.

Visit the school in person

This was huge for us. Walking through the school, seeing the classrooms, and talking to teachers gave me a completely different feel compared to what I'd read online. You pick up on things — the energy of the place, how the staff interact with kids — that you can't get from a website.

Think about location and logistics

Who's driving your kid to school? What's the bell schedule? Can they walk or bike? When Sophie started school, the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up routine basically restructured my entire day. If both parents work (which is most expat families I know), this logistics piece is really important to think through early.

Take safety seriously

I have to be honest — this was a culture shock for me. In Singapore, school safety wasn't something I thought about much. Here, it's a real concern, from school shootings to bullying. I know school shootings get disproportionate media attention, but statistically, bullying happens far more frequently and is something I personally care more about. Ask the school directly about their policies and track record on this.

Ask about extracurricular activities

Find out what's available and whether there are extra fees. (Spoiler: there often are.) Extracurriculars are a big part of the US school experience and can really help your kid settle in and make friends — which, when you've just moved across the world, is pretty much everything.

Look into financial aid options

If you are considering private schools, it is worth knowing that many have need-based financial aid programs, and some of the top-tier ones practice need-blind admissions — meaning they evaluate your child's application without considering your ability to pay. This can be relevant for international families whose financial situation looks different on paper than it does in practice (for example, if your assets are mostly overseas). Ask the admissions office directly about how they handle international income and assets in their aid calculations.

Pay attention to diversity

This was particularly important for us in those first couple of years after relocating. Sophie was experiencing a completely new environment and needed to make new friends. A school with a diverse student body made that transition much smoother. Your kid is more likely to find other children from similar backgrounds, and the school culture tends to be more welcoming to newcomers.

Talk to other parents

I know this isn't easy — especially when you're new and don't know anyone yet. But if you can connect with other parents (maybe through a Facebook group or local community), their firsthand perspective is invaluable. No website will tell you what the actual parent experience is like.

Check academic rankings (but don't stop there)

Rankings are a useful starting filter, not a verdict. I used them to narrow down our shortlist, but some of the highest-ranked schools in our area turned out to be a poor fit for Sophie's personality and learning style. A top-ranked school that is a terrible fit for your kid is still a terrible fit.

Two sites I found genuinely helpful: GreatSchools.org gives you ratings broken down by test scores, equity, and student progress — so you can see how a school performs, not just whether it ranks high. Niche.com adds parent reviews and demographic data, which gave me a much better feel for the actual school culture than any ranking number could.

One thing I want to emphasize: there really is no one-size-fits-all answer here. Every child is different, and what works for Sophie might not work for yours. The most expensive or prestigious school isn't automatically the best choice. I think the parents who do well are the ones who invest time in understanding their specific child's needs and then find the environment that matches.

You can also check out "Education and child care in the US" from the US government, and you can search for public schools by zip code here.

What's been your experience finding schools as an expat? I'd love to hear what worked (or didn't work) for your family.

Cheers,

Chandler

P.S. I created a group on Facebook called Asian Expats in the US so that we can share and discuss more tips directly. Feel free to join.