Choosing which school to send your child to can be an anxiety-inducing experience, but it doesn't have to be if you know the right questions to ask.
Every parent wants the best for their child, and nowhere is this more true than when choosing their secondary school.
It's there that children turn into young adults, and their time at high school plays a big role in shaping who they will become.
So, how do you know you're picking the right school for your child? Experts agree you need to approach your search with the right questions, but what those questions are will differ from family to family, and even from child to child.
Richard Lisle, principal and CEO of Eltham College in Melbourne's outer northern suburbs, said it's important to look beyond the raw numbers.
"Most families naturally begin with practical questions - fees, location, transport, uniform and enrolment timelines - and all of these matter," he said.
"But once those essentials are understood, the more important question becomes: Is this a community where my child will truly thrive?
"Parents should take the time to see a school in action. Walk through the grounds on a normal day, observe how teachers and students interact, and notice whether students seem at ease, purposeful and genuinely connected. These small observations often reveal far more than a polished prospectus."
Mr Lisle said considerations relating to a particular child's strengths, interests, and extracurriculars are not just important - they should be central to your search.
"However, families should look beyond the list of programs a school offers and consider whether those opportunities are genuinely accessible," he said.
"A school may advertise a wide range of activities, but in very large year levels only a small proportion of students may actually be able to participate."
He said parents should look for a school where opportunities are realistic and available, not just simply listed.
"If a child has strong interests or emerging talents, it's worth considering whether the school has teachers who know students well enough to guide them, flexibility to personalise pathways as a child grows, and a culture that celebrates a wide range of strengths not only academic or sporting success."
For Emily Fogg, former teacher, assistant principal, and the founder of Wise Owl Education, a school's suitability for all your children needs to be factored in.
"Consider whether the school works for all of your children, or if it's really only suited to one of them," she said.
"For example, a school might have a fantastic cricket program, but if your daughter loves performing arts and the school doesn't offer an arts program, it may not be the best fit for her."
Ms Fogg said it may be worth considering sending your children to different schools if different environments suit each child better. But as always, it is hard to ignore the cost factor.
"Think carefully about your budget," Ms Fogg said.
"Are you considering public or private education? If private, how much are you realistically willing to spend? What happens if school fees increase significantly? Would you still be able to afford them if you unexpectedly faced unemployment, illness, or disability?"
"School fees are only part of the picture. Consider the extra costs such as uniforms, camps, excursions, birthday parties, dress-up days, and fundraising."
Parents' perspective
Kellie Moody is an early childhood specialist with 32 years of experience, and the author of Ready or Not? A Parent's Guide to Confidently Preparing Your Child for School. She's also mum to two boys.
She said there are a number of questions to ask, whose answers may not be found in school brochures.
"What was the initial feeling you got as you walk around the school for the very first time, or looked at the school website," she said.
"What are other parents saying about the school? What is in the media about the school?"
Then there are the practicalities of daily school life. "Ask yourself, 'is the school close to home?" said Ms Moody.
"Can my kids walk, ride, or run to school? Close proximity to where you live is important for smaller children when having playdates."
She also added the importance of considering factors such as homework policies and whether or not the school's values align with your own.
