Questions to Ask at School Interview
Essential questions to ask at a school interview that help you evaluate the school, understand the role, and assess the opportunity while demonstrating your interest and knowledge of education.
1What are the school's mission and values, and how do they guide the educational approach and student experience?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's mission and values, and how do they guide the educational approach and student experience?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Critical for understanding the school's educational philosophy and ensuring you understand their mission and how it shapes the learning environment.
2What is the school's approach to curriculum and instruction, and how do you ensure academic excellence and student success?
Click to see why this works
What is the school's approach to curriculum and instruction, and how do you ensure academic excellence and student success?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Important for understanding their educational approach and ensuring you understand how they deliver curriculum and support student learning.
3What are the school's policies on student support and development, and how do you address different learning needs?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on student support and development, and how do you address different learning needs?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their student support approach and helps you understand how they support students with different learning needs and challenges.
4What are the school's key performance metrics and success factors, and how do you measure educational outcomes?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's key performance metrics and success factors, and how do you measure educational outcomes?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Critical for understanding their performance standards and ensuring you understand how they measure success and what metrics are most important.
5What are the school's growth plans and development strategy, and how do you see the school evolving?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's growth plans and development strategy, and how do you see the school evolving?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Important for understanding the school's future direction and helps you learn about their development plans and how they see the school growing.
6What are the school's values and culture, and how do you maintain a positive learning environment?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's values and culture, and how do you maintain a positive learning environment?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals the school's culture and helps you understand their values and how they create a positive learning environment for students and staff.
7What are the school's policies on professional development and career advancement, and how do you support staff growth?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on professional development and career advancement, and how do you support staff growth?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows you care about career development and gives them a chance to share their approach to professional development and staff advancement.
8What are the school's policies on work-life balance and team dynamics, and how do you maintain a healthy work environment?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on work-life balance and team dynamics, and how do you maintain a healthy work environment?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Critical for understanding their work environment and helps you learn about their approach to work-life balance and team dynamics.
9What are the school's policies on diversity and inclusion, and how do you promote a diverse and inclusive environment?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on diversity and inclusion, and how do you promote a diverse and inclusive environment?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Important for understanding their commitment to diversity and helps you learn about their approach to creating an inclusive learning environment.
10What are the school's policies on parent and community engagement, and how do you build strong relationships?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on parent and community engagement, and how do you build strong relationships?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their community engagement approach and helps you understand how they build and maintain relationships with parents and the community.
11What are the school's policies on technology and innovation, and how do you integrate technology into education?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on technology and innovation, and how do you integrate technology into education?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Critical for understanding their technology approach and helps you learn about how they use technology and innovation in education.
12What are the school's policies on assessment and evaluation, and how do you measure student progress and achievement?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on assessment and evaluation, and how do you measure student progress and achievement?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Important for understanding their assessment approach and helps you learn about how they measure student progress and achievement.
13What are the school's policies on discipline and behavior management, and how do you maintain a positive school climate?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on discipline and behavior management, and how do you maintain a positive school climate?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their behavior management approach and helps you understand how they maintain discipline and create a positive school climate.
14What are the school's policies on special education and support services, and how do you serve students with special needs?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on special education and support services, and how do you serve students with special needs?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Critical for understanding their special education approach and helps you learn about how they serve students with special needs and disabilities.
15What are the school's policies on extracurricular activities and student life, and how do you support student engagement?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on extracurricular activities and student life, and how do you support student engagement?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Important for understanding their student life approach and helps you learn about how they support student engagement and extracurricular activities.
16What are the school's policies on safety and security, and how do you ensure a safe learning environment?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on safety and security, and how do you ensure a safe learning environment?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their safety approach and helps you understand how they ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students and staff.
17What are the school's policies on teacher collaboration and professional learning, and how do you support teacher development?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on teacher collaboration and professional learning, and how do you support teacher development?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Critical for understanding their teacher support approach and helps you learn about how they support teacher collaboration and professional development.
18What are the school's policies on student achievement and success, and how do you ensure all students reach their potential?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on student achievement and success, and how do you ensure all students reach their potential?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Important for understanding their student success approach and helps you learn about how they ensure all students reach their potential.
19What are the school's policies on innovation and continuous improvement, and how do you stay current with educational best practices?
Click to see why this works
What are the school's policies on innovation and continuous improvement, and how do you stay current with educational best practices?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their improvement approach and helps you understand how they stay current with educational best practices and continuously improve.
20What are the most important things to know about working in education, and what should candidates consider?
Click to see why this works
What are the most important things to know about working in education, and what should candidates consider?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Essential for understanding their guidance and helps you learn about their advice for working in education and what factors to consider.
How to Ace School Interviews: Essential Questions and Strategies
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Research the School
Research the school's mission, values, and educational approach. Understand their curriculum and teaching philosophy.
Understand the Role
Learn about the specific role and responsibilities. Understand what the position entails and how it fits into the school's structure.
Prepare Education Knowledge
Stay current with educational trends and best practices. Understand the education landscape and key issues.
Demonstrate Passion
Show genuine passion for education and student success. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your commitment to education.
Question Sequences
The Mission Sequence
The Culture Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Generic Questions
Avoid asking generic questions that could apply to any school. Ask specific questions that show you've researched the school and understand their unique approach.
Avoid Focusing Only on Benefits
Don't focus solely on compensation and benefits. Show interest in the role, the school, and the opportunity to make a difference in education.
Don't Ignore Student Focus
Avoid ignoring the student focus. Ask about student success, support, and how the school serves students' needs.
Avoid Being Unprepared
Don't come unprepared. Research the school, understand the role, and prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest and knowledge.