A Parent's Guide to Choosing a Gymnastics School One of the most challenging tasks facing parents today is making sound decisions regarding their children. The number of alternatives is potentially staggering, the desire to have children involved in many activities is often very great and the pressure to raise well-rounded, healthy children is tremendous. In choosing activities for their children, parents must consider a large number of factors. Is the activity beneficial for my child? Is my child interested in, and enthusiastic about, the activity? Does the activity have value for the parent? Is the cost of the activity reasonable under current circumstances? Parents are continually searching for quality activities where their children are happy and successful. Dr. William Glasser has written extensively on the characteristics of quality schools and their benefits. According to Dr. Glasser, a quality school is a product of warm, caring human relationships and promotes constructive attitudes toward individuals and society. Quality can always be improved upon and a quality organization is one that is alert for ways to improve what it does and how it does it. A quality school is one in which everyone in the organization, working both separately and together, seeks a common goal. Quality always feels good, and the greater the quality, the longer the good feeling lasts. The goal of this article is to give parents information with which to make a more informed choice when choosing a quality gymnastics school for your child. Gymnastics is, without a doubt, one of the most beneficial physical activities children experience. When the gymnastics program is structured and presented correctly, children realize benefits, in the areas of physical fitness, self-esteem and life skills, that serve them for a lifetime. Parental involvement in investigating and finding the right gymnastics school increases the benefits immeasurably. Collecting information, speaking with the administrators and staff of the schools in your area, talking with other parents and observing the school are all beneficial actions when deciding on a gymnastics school.There are many factors to look at when choosing a gymnastics school. Here's a list of important questions to consider when searching for a gymnastics school. (The questions are in no particular order.) 1) Is the program structured and presented correctly?  2) Are the children busy or sitting still?  3) Do the students like the instructors and have fun?  4) Is there appropriate equipment for the age and development level of the students? 5) Are staff members USA Gymnastics Safety Certified?  6) Do the instructors approach the parents after class?  7) What's the reputation of the gymnastics school in the community?  8) How is the overall cleanliness and organization of the school?  9) Is there communication between the school, students and the parents i.e. newsletters calendar of events, web page?  10) Are students evaluated and how often, report cards?  11) Does the school have a statement of purpose and philosophy?  12) Is there an emergency plan for injuries or inclement weather?  13) Is the school's curriculum intended to produce competitive gymnasts?  14) Is there a sense of professionalism about the school?  15) Is the cost of the activity reasonable?  16) Is there a booster club and, if so, what are its demands?  17) How close is the school to your house?  18) How long has the school existed?  19) What feedback do you get friends and family who have experienced the school? 20) How are customers treated?  21) Is there an observation area for parents?  22) How does the gym sound during class, happy or stressful?  23) Is there any plan for regular staff training?  24) Are there clearly stated rules for staff, students and visitors?  25) Are there TV monitors to see all areas of gym? 26) Most of all, is your child enthusiastic about the school?  27) Is the school active in the community i.e. member of Chamber of Commerce 28) Are they a USA Gymnastics Club member, check them out? 29) Safety Issue - Is the Preschool seperate from the Competitive Gym?

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