Choosing the Right Elementary School for Your Child

Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision, and understanding the various options available can help make the process manageable. Here’s a guide to help you find the best fit.

Step 1: Understand Your Options

For elementary school, we offer a choice between neighborhood schools and magnet schools. 

Neighborhood Schools: Centennial and Sheridan Hills

• While each school has its own unique personality, both share a focus on the whole child to build confidence and achieve strong academic growth. Both Centennial and Sheridan Hills Elementary Schools deliver a high-quality curriculum and innovative teaching methods to develop creative and critical thinkers who are prepared for successful middle and high school experiences. 

Magnet Schools: Richfield Dual Language and Richfield STEM

• Richfield Dual Language School provides a Spanish dual-language program that allows students to become bilingual and bicultural while mastering both Spanish and English.
• Richfield STEM Elementary educates students through a science, technology, engineering and math lens. This focus is paired with district-approved curriculum to ensure students receive a strong foundation in all content areas while preparing them for future opportunities in STEM. 
• Both magnet programs continue to offer courses through middle school and high school. The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program continues by offering key courses taught entirely in Spanish. STEM courses are offered as electives and open to all students. At middle school, this is a STEAM class that integrates arts into STEM. 

Step 2: Consider Your Child’s Needs and Your Family’s Priorities

Once you know your options, it’s time to consider factors specific to your child and family.

Location and Logistics

Proximity to the school and transportation options are key factors for many families.

• Walk Zones: If you live within the Walk Zone for your school choice, school bus transportation is not an option. You can find Walk Zones on our Transportation web page. We have a Safe Routes to School program that actively works to ensure students can walk or bike to school safely. You are also welcome to drive your child to school.
• Neighborhood School Bussing: Transportation to Sheridan Hills and Centennial is determined by your home address. Families living west of Nicollet Avenue are eligible for busing to Sheridan Hills and those living east of Nicollet Avenue are eligible for busing to Centennial. If you choose to enroll your child in the neighborhood school that is outside your attendance area, you must provide your own transportation.
• Magnet School Bussing: If you enroll your child in Richfield Dual Language School or Richfield STEM Elementary, they are eligible for busing no matter where you live in the District unless you are within the walk zone.
• Open Enrolled Students: If you enroll your child in Richfield Public Schools but do not live in our District, you are responsible for providing transportation for your child.

Special Programs and Support

• If your child has specific needs, this is something else to ask about as you research schools. In Richfield, we offer special education options, a talent development program, and additional support such as counseling and academic interventions to meet the various needs of our students.

Curriculum, Instruction and Class Size

• Consider what’s important to you regarding your child’s education. Do you want them to learn a second language or focus on a specific subject area like STEM? Make sure to look at the specific curricular focus each school offers, their teaching staff, and average class size. It’s a good idea to find out how experienced the teachers are in each school you consider. In general, it’s a good sign to see that a school has many teachers who have been teaching for a long time. However, a school with no newer teachers may also be slow to adapt to changes in the instructional landscape. 

* Based on the 2023-24 school year.

Step 3: Do Your Research

While researching schools, try to attend open houses, school tours, and new family events to get a feel for the school culture. Talk to current parents, teachers, and staff to gain insight into the school’s strengths. In addition, explore each school’s website and social media pages.

In Richfield, we start our enrollment season each year with the Kindergarten Kickoff and Preschool Preview, which is usually held in early December. At this event, you can meet principals, teachers and parents from all of our elementary schools in one place. It’s a great way to explore all your options. In January, each school hosts an open house for new families where you can visit classrooms and get a real sense of what your child’s experience would be like at each school. 

Avoid These Pitfalls

• Don’t wait until the last minute: Ensure your enrollment paperwork is complete early so you don’t miss out on important announcements or opportunities for the upcoming school year. This is especially important if you are open enrolling from outside the District, as open enrollment lists can sometimes fill up.

• Don’t put too much weight into school ratings: Several websites rate schools based on their own criteria. These websites can be a helpful tool for comparison, but the information should be taken with a grain of salt. Many use standardized test scores as part of their rating system, which is an inequitable source of data and an incomplete picture of a school’s academic performance. Also, any reviews submitted to these websites are likely to give a skewed perspective, as disgruntled parents or students are more likely to leave a review than those who are pleased with their school experience. 

• Be patient: If the school you choose doesn’t meet all your expectations right away, work with the staff to address any issues. Frequent transfers can disrupt your child’s learning experience.

By taking the time to thoroughly explore your options and keeping your child’s unique needs in mind, you can confidently make the best choice for their education.

To learn more about enrolling your child in Richfield Public Schools, we invite you to visit our Enrollment page, where you’ll find detailed information about our schools, the enrollment process and any upcoming events like open houses or tours. Whether you’re a current Richfield resident or considering open enrollment, our team is here to help guide you through every step. Explore your options and discover what makes RPS an excellent choice for your child’s education.