It's an important, time-consuming decision. After all, options have never been this plentiful. And that’s why we built a step-by-step guide—to clear the air around any misconceptions, and help you find what you’re looking for in a school.

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What’s changed?

The better question would be…what hasn’t! 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted in-person gatherings and changed the way educational institutions had to approach learning, schooling models were primarily in-person, brick-and-mortar formats that offered little to no flexibility—and required daily commute. 

In other words: this is schooling as we have all known it for decades. 

But over the past five years, hybrid and online schooling have skyrocketed in popularity. They’ve proven efficient in the wake of social distancing, and showed that it solved a lot more issues that weren’t being addressed in physical school settings. 

In fact, this new approach to learning in online and hybrid settings has now become the norm, and has proven just as effective–if not more, in some cases—than in-person institutions. Teneo’s Smart School System™ included! 

Choosing the right school 

Let’s dive into a couple key steps to help you narrow down your search, and get on track to choosing the right school to suit your child’s needs as they navigate their education journey. First of all:

1. Identify your key objectives in a school 

What’s most important to you in a school? Remember, you can’t have it all. But you can get pretty close if you get specific enough about what’s important to you. And if you don’t know yet—that’s what we’re here for! 

Some key elements to consider when looking for an educational institution that every child needs to truly thrive in a school setting: 

1. Accredited curriculums & academic integrity that meet the standards of examination boards (e.g. IEB, SACAI).

2. Qualified teachers that are SACE-registered.

3. Inclusive approaches and personalised, flexible environments for learners of all abilities.

4. One-on-one support with direct access to teachers, and early intervention resources.

5. Proven results that show their schooling model works, and data that demonstrates learner success across all ability levels.

2. Understand your options

As it stands, you have three main options to choose from: 

1. Traditional, in-person schools

2. Online schools

3. Hybrid smart schools 

Each model has their own differences and similarities, along with pros and cons. Our guide dives into depth about the common myths and misconceptions, as well as the benefits and downfalls of each of these different schooling models.

3. Know the warning signs

Parental intuition is real—and this shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to choosing the right school! After all, it’s the place that could determine the quality of your child’s learning outcomes. 

Ensure that the school that you select at least has the basic criteria outlined below, and you feel comfortable and well-educated on the space and environment of the school before enrolling your child: 

Everything a school should offer to make sure it’s up to par with quality educational standards: 

1. Strong academic leadership

2. Low staff and learner turnover rates

3. Positive testimonials and reviews

4. Clear intervention tools and parent involvement

5. A genuine interest in your child’s specific needs 

If you’re ready to dive deeper and truly identify which schooling option is right for your family, click here[LINK] to read our full, free comprehensive guide. 

We dive deep into: 

• Pros and cons of each schooling model 

• A more detailed list of criterias you should have before signing off on a school

• Green flags and red flags to keep in mind as you navigate your search 

…and so much more! We want to help you help your child into the best school possible for them. 

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The Smart School System™: Teneo School 

Teneo School is South Africa’s No. 1 online school, powered by our unique Smart School System™. We offer three school formats in English and Afrikaans designed to support every child’s learning needs. Teneo learners are taught by 170+ passionate, SACE-registered teachers, who are supported by smart technology that track progress in real time and enable personalised, targeted support.

The result? A school that’s human-led, tech-enabled, and proven to deliver measurable improvement. We combine the best of human teaching with effective motivation and actionable insights in one connected platform, creating a smarter, more inclusive school to help every child, of any ability, achieve provably better results.

We hope this guide will support you in making the most educated decision for your child’s future. To learn more about Teneo School and find out if it’s the right fit for your child, speak to an enrolment advisor today.