Here's something that will definitely make you feel like and adult: trying to choose the best school for your kids. Your search for a school should begin close to home. Look at your child's needs and your own education values. Then investigate the schools in your area to find a good match for your child and your family.

Critical elements are: the principal, the teachers, and the school environment.

Many children know who their principal is, but don't necessarily interact with the principal on a daily basis. But the principal is an important part of the school's culture. He or she provides leadership, sets a good example (for kids, parents and the teachers) and serves as the liaison between the school board and the teachers. Principals set the standard for discipline, the overall mood for the school and offer support and guidance for the kids when they need it. Good principals create good schools. The reverse is rarely true.

Hopefully everyone remembers having at least one fantastic teacher. Which means you should ensure you child has one. It's the key to appreciating education. How can you tell if your son or daughter's teacher is the quality your son or daughter deserves? Schedule a visit. Talk to the teacher. Ask their current students. Ask the office if that teacher is requested often.

Also, ask the teacher and the office what the teacher's special qualifications are. For example, are they good with children who have special needs? Do they have experiential learning stations, where children can actually do activities instead of reading about them?

Finally, take inventory of the school's environment. Ask how the school handles safety issues. Visit the library. Are music, the arts and sports incorporated into the curriculum?

First order of business: schedule a tour. Take your kids. Discuss the principal, the teachers, the school's environment. Ask your child's opinion. Listen. Think of it as your homework.