Start with your child's daily routine
Compare commute time from your home in Bhaktapur's older town versus newer residential areas, along with class size and homework load, before focusing on reputation alone.
Ask how the school supports students transferring from a different curriculum or language of instruction, since this affects how smoothly your child settles in.
Example: A family living in Bhaktapur's older heritage core enrolls their child in a highly rated school on the far side of town, only to find the daily commute through narrow, congested streets takes nearly an hour each way, leaving the child tired before class even begins. A school with a slightly lower reputation but a 15-minute commute might have supported the child's actual daily wellbeing better than the 'best' school further away.
For a child switching from an English-medium school to one following a different curriculum, or vice versa, ask specifically what transition support exists, such as extra language classes or a settling-in period, since a mismatch here can affect a child's confidence in the first few months more than any other single factor.
Compare curriculum and admission process
Ask which curriculum the school follows and what the admission test or interview process involves, since requirements differ meaningfully between schools.
Confirm age-based entry requirements and application deadlines, since these vary and some schools fill seats well before the academic year begins.
Example: A parent assumes admission timelines are similar across schools and starts the application process in the month before the academic year begins, only to find their top-choice school had closed applications for that grade level three months earlier due to high demand. Calling schools to ask about their specific application timeline as much as six months in advance avoids missing a preferred school's window entirely.
For an admission test or interview, ask what the school is actually assessing, since some focus heavily on academic readiness while others weigh social and emotional readiness more, and preparing your child appropriately depends on knowing which approach a given school takes.
Compare total cost, not only tuition
Ask for a full fee sheet covering admission fees, transport, meals, uniforms and activity costs rather than comparing only the advertised monthly tuition.
Confirm scholarship or sibling discount rules in writing if relevant to your family, so expectations are clear before you commit.
Example: A family compares two schools based on advertised monthly tuition, choosing the one that appears ₹2,000 cheaper per month. After enrollment, mandatory transport, activity and exam fees at the 'cheaper' school add up to nearly the same total annual cost as the other option, which had included most of these in its advertised fee. Requesting a complete, itemized annual cost estimate from each school before deciding avoids this kind of misleading comparison.
If you have more than one child who might attend the same school, ask specifically about sibling discount terms and get the percentage and conditions in writing, since verbal assurances during an admission conversation do not always match what is actually applied on the fee invoice later.
Visit before deciding
Observe classroom conditions, safety measures and playground space during an actual visit rather than relying only on a brochure or website.
Speak with current parents where possible about communication, teacher stability and how the school handles concerns.
Example: A school's website shows spacious, well-lit classrooms, but an in-person visit reveals the actual classrooms for the child's specific grade are smaller and more crowded than the marketing photos suggest, which likely show a different, newer wing. A visit specifically to the classroom your child would attend, not just a general campus tour, gives a much more accurate picture.
Speaking with two or three current parents, ideally without school staff present, about how the school actually handles a concern (a bullying incident, a grading dispute, a teacher change mid-year) reveals far more about day-to-day reality than anything in a prospectus.
Ask about transport and safety
Confirm that bus routes cover your area and ask about safety measures during transport, especially through Bhaktapur's older, narrower streets.
Ask about pickup and drop procedures and emergency contact protocols in case plans change on a given day.
Example: A family assumes the school bus covers their specific street since it appeared to serve the general neighborhood, only to learn after enrollment that the narrow lane leading to their home is inaccessible to the bus, requiring a walk to a pickup point ten minutes away each morning. Confirming the exact pickup location on your specific street, not just the general area, avoids this kind of after-the-fact surprise.
Ask specifically what happens if a parent is unexpectedly unable to be home at drop-off time, since school policies vary considerably here — some require advance written notice for any change in pickup person, while others are more informal, and knowing this in advance matters for busy working parents.
Check communication and support systems
Ask how the school communicates about homework, events and concerns, and whether there is a structured parent-teacher meeting schedule.
Ask about support for students who need extra academic help or have specific learning needs, since this varies significantly between schools.
Example: A parent expects regular updates about their child's progress but finds the school only holds parent-teacher meetings twice a year with no interim communication, making it hard to catch a struggling subject early. A school with a messaging app or regular progress notes allows problems to be caught and addressed within weeks rather than months.
For a child who may need extra academic support at some point, ask specifically what resources exist, such as a learning support teacher or after-class help sessions, and whether these come at an additional cost, since not every school offers this despite implying broad support in general marketing materials.
