Talk with the principal, the school counselor, and some teachers to find out the philosophy of the school and what they are doing there on a daily basis. Although test scores give you information about a school, there is more to what goes on there every day than what the test scores show.
After your visit, write a letter to the principal. Tell him or her about your son and the kind of teacher you would like for him to have. Explain the areas in which he is strong, and request a teacher who will work with him in those areas as well as encourage him in others. Also talk about the kind of person with whom your son works best -- that may be a teacher who is kind and caring, or structured and consistent, or a combination of characteristics. Your son might end up in a wonderful classroom without your letter, but writing a letter will help make sure that that happens.