{"id":141249,"date":"2026-07-15T22:40:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T21:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.edenred.pt\/uncategorized\/what-do-parents-look-for-when-choosing-a-school\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T22:58:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T21:58:42","slug":"what-do-parents-look-for-when-choosing-a-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edenred.pt\/en\/news\/education-and-training\/what-do-parents-look-for-when-choosing-a-school\/","title":{"rendered":"What do parents look for when choosing a school?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Parents\u2019 criteria for choosing an educational institution\u2014whether it\u2019s a high school, a language school, a training center, or an after-school program\u2014have evolved. With easier access to information online, many compare options before scheduling visits, and the aspects they value can vary significantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding parents\u2019 motivations during the selection process is one of the most valuable pieces of information for school administrators. In this article, we\u2019ll reveal some of the factors that most influence their decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six Factors to Consider When Choosing a School<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1 – Stability and continuity of the faculty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Educational continuity tends to be a criterion that parents value. The possibility that their child will have the same teachers over several years, that there is a coherent educational program, and that the teaching staff knows each student well are aspects that many families seek. Communicating the stability of the teaching staff can be important for a school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 – Smaller classes and individualized attention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The expectation of individualized attention and close monitoring by teachers can be a deciding factor for some families. Schools with small class sizes that emphasize this aspect by providing concrete figures and examples from everyday life can benefit from this competitive advantage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 – Distinctive Educational Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Families looking for a school tend to value programs that are aligned with their children\u2019s needs. Alternative approaches such as Montessori, Waldorf, or bilingual education appeal to some families, but schools following the national curriculum can also set themselves apart through their educational philosophy, extracurricular activities, or approach to engaging with families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 – School Environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The atmosphere you sense during the visit tends to influence your decision. Well-maintained spaces, supervised play areas, a welcoming reception area, and the way staff interact with students all convey a message before a single word is spoken.

Schools that prioritize the visitor experience and naturally showcase students\u2019 daily lives can make a positive impression. Parents may also appreciate the administration\u2019s availability during the visit, the way the school communicates with families, and how readily it addresses questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 – Flexible schedules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For many families, flexible schedules can be a deciding factor. Offering after-school programs, extended hours, academic support, and integrated extracurricular activities makes daily life easier for families and can set a school apart from others with more limited schedules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 – Payment Methods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Financial considerations play a role in virtually every decision regarding the choice of an educational institution. Tuition, educational materials, and extracurricular activities represent a significant investment for families, and the way an institution facilitates these payments can be a deciding factor.

Many employees have access to education expense benefits provided by their employers. Accepting Edenred Estudante<\/a> or Edenred Flex\u00edvel<\/a> ensures that you meet the expectations of these families and helps increase your institution\u2019s visibility among users of the Edenred network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What this means for your business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Given that private education accounts for 20.8% of all students enrolled in Portugal<\/a>, understanding what parents are looking for is becoming increasingly important.

A school that invests in staff stability, clearly communicates its educational mission, fosters a positive school environment, and offers flexible payment options is meeting families\u2019 priorities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Parents\u2019 criteria for choosing an educational institution\u2014whether it\u2019s a high school, a language school, a training center, or an after-school program\u2014have evolved. With easier access to information online, many compare options before scheduling visits, and the aspects they value can vary significantly. Understanding parents\u2019 motivations during the selection process is one of the most valuable…","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":141247,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[229],"tags":[],"target":[15],"class_list":["post-141249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education-and-training","target-estabelecimento"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFamily Support in the Workplace<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Classes, teaching methods, communication, and payment options: Find out what parents value most when choosing an educational institution.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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