School selection can have a lasting effect on an individual's future, and students and their parents would do well to consider both the academic and non-academic aspects of a school.

Here are several factors to appraise while determining which institution is right for your child.

1) Environment- Consider whether the area around the school is conducive to academic pursuits, safety, and social/cultural adjustment.

2) Curriculum- Different schools cover different material. When dealing with education in different parts of the world, it is especially important to figure out whether a school will cover the material you expect. This can be critical for high school students who plan to go on to American colleges.

3) Teachers- No matter what classes students take, or what textbooks they read, the guidance they receive makes all the difference. It is extremely important to know what the teachers are like when choosing a school: their credentials, their areas of specialization and, most importantly, their personalities and approaches to teaching.

4) Opportunities- School, especially boarding school, entails much more than classes and textbooks. It is important to consider what kinds of extracurricular activities are offered as social outlets or career developing experiences. For instance, if athletics are important to your child, make sure a school offers the sports he or she wants to play.

5) Scheduling- Most boarding schools have application deadlines, and cannot accept students after those deadlines. Be sure to look at each school's academic calendar.