By Eliza McLaren, head of school
Choosing a high school is one of the most significant decisions a family will make together, shaping your child’s education and future. I understand the weight of this decision and how crucial it is to find a school that aligns with your family’s values and goals. I also encourage you to have your child take an active role in the process - their aspirations, needs, and voice are important in the decision and ensure they are invested in the outcome.
As you explore options, here are seven key questions to ask when evaluating high schools — questions that will help you find a place where your child will thrive academically, socially, and personally:
1. What does the school sound like?
The sounds of a school often reveal its true culture. Take a moment to notice what you hear when you tour the school. Do students greet each other warmly? Do teachers and staff know students by name? These small but vital interactions set the tone for each student’s day. Do you hear laughter and sounds of joy? And do you hear the hum of a classroom engaged in their learning?
I often greet students by name and with a handshake, a simple act that signals to every student that they belong and are seen. Listening to a school’s everyday sounds can offer insight into its values and the sense of connection it fosters.
2. How does the school measure academic excellence?
A truly excellent education goes beyond grades and test scores. It’s worth asking about benchmark data on standardized tests such as SATs and APs, as well as the variety of colleges students go to after graduation. But go beyond that. Ask how each school defines and measures success across the broader student experience and ask not just where students go to college but how they do when they are there and beyond.
At Wellington, we developed the Wellington Initiative Engagement Index, a proprietary tool that tracks and assesses student engagement, well-being, and connections to peers and teachers throughout the year. This index measures how much students love and feel challenged in their classes, providing us with real-time feedback to grow as educators and adapt to each student’s needs proactively. This tool help us prioritize engagement and well-being to foster a supportive and connected school environment. We are proud that it extends Wellington’s reach in over 300 schools nationwide who also use the tool — a testament to its impact and effectiveness.
3. How does the school support and invest in its teachers?
Teachers are the foundation of a quality educational experience, and a school that invests in its faculty is investing in its students. Wellington’s vision is to be the preferred employer for educators in Columbus and to elevate the teaching profession. We understand that outstanding teachers are the cornerstone of exceptional education — when teachers thrive, students excel. To support our faculty, Wellington focuses on competitive salaries and benefits, provides robust opportunities for professional growth and development, ensures access to necessary curricular and classroom resources, and enthusiastically greenlights innovative ideas that advance both the profession and the school. One example is our faculty engagement grants, which empower teachers to pursue creative projects like the Wonderbus — a mobile classroom that redefines what a learning environment can be. These initiatives enable teachers to push the boundaries of traditional education, fostering dynamic, hands-on opportunities that directly benefit students.
Ask how teachers feel about working at the school, what support they receive, and why they choose to teach there. Educators at Wellington often tell me that their connections with students and their ability to innovate are what they value most.
4. How much choice and agency do students have in their learning paths?
High school should be a time for students to take ownership of their education, with opportunities to select courses that align with their goals.
At Wellington, our upper school offers over 150 courses, including a variety of honors and advanced options, and we support students who wish to pursue AP and college credits. We know that when students have choice in their learning, they are more engaged — and student engagement is one of our top measures of academic success. To deepen their knowledge further, students can conduct independent research, gaining invaluable experience that allows them to explore their interests on a more advanced and personalized level.
The research shows again and again that when students have choice in what they are learning and the opportunity to pursue their passions, they learn more. Ask about how much agency students have in planning their schedules, choosing courses, and shaping their learning path. Wellington’s approach fosters independence and responsibility, equipping students with essential skills to move confidently into college and beyond.
5. How do you measure a school’s ability to create a positive atmosphere for students?
When visiting a school as a prospective student, ask your future peers: “On a scale of 1-10, how much did you want to come to school this morning?” Then, ask how they think that compares to friends at other schools. At Wellington, we strive to create as many positive reasons as possible for students to want to come to school each day. A joyful environment filled with personal connection isn’t just a bonus — it’s critical to educational excellence. We believe it matters that students love their school and genuinely want to be here, and we view that enthusiasm as a key measure of our success.
6. What opportunities does the school offer for students to explore their interests?
At Wellington, our intentional student body size ensures the best of both worlds: we’re large enough to offer robust opportunities and small enough for students to participate in many of them at once. Students can step into leadership roles, join athletic teams, act in the school play, work an internship, and play in the pep band — sometimes all in the same season — while keeping up with their academic coursework.
At Wellington, advisors help students strike the right balance for them in their schedule, encouraging them to take advantage of the opportunities available to pursue and broaden their interests while making sure they have the time to do it all well and maintain a sense of well-being.
7. What is the school’s philosophy on college counseling and support?
Selecting a high school often includes looking ahead to college, one of the most important decisions in a student’s life. Wellington’s College Counseling team is dedicated to guiding each student toward a college that aligns with their individual goals, strengths, and aspirations. Our graduates consistently earn admission to a wide range of highly selective colleges and universities, a testament to their preparation and readiness. Through one-on-one support, our counselors help students clarify their goals, explore options, and identify colleges where they’ll thrive academically, socially, and personally. By emphasizing thoughtful decision-making and long-term success, we ensure every student is equipped to make confident choices that set them up for a bright future.
The support Wellington provides throughout the college application process is something we consistently hear parents and students praise as critical. Click here to see a five-year acceptance and matriculation list. We also take a thoughtful approach to AP tests and curriculum — click here to read more about our perspective — and many of our graduates enter college with significant credits already completed. Most importantly, our young alumni frequently share how prepared they felt for college life, often saying that, compared to their Wellington experience, college feels easy — and we think that’s exactly how it should be.
8. How does the school support alumni after they graduate?
Wellington’s support for students doesn’t end at graduation. Our connected alumni network ensures that graduates remain part of the Wellington community, providing opportunities to stay engaged and grow long after their time on campus. Through JagsConnect, our dynamic networking platform, alumni can connect with each other for mentorship, career advice, and collaboration. Whether seeking guidance from experienced professionals, reconnecting with former classmates, or mentoring recent graduates, JagsConnect is designed to help alumni thrive as they shape their futures. At Wellington, we believe that the strength of our alumni network reflects the lifelong impact of a Wellington education.
We hope these questions help you identify the right high school for your child — a place where they will thrive and grow. If you're ready to apply to Wellington, the admissions team is here to help. Visit https://www.wellington.org/upper-school for more information.
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Eliza McLaren |