I recently updated my FAQ page. Here is an excerpt on “How do I choose a charter school for my child?”
When you are looking for a charter school for your child, here are some questions you need to ask:
- Does the school serve my child’s grade level?
- Is the school located close enough to our house? Can we walk, or do they offer bus service, or will we need to carpool?
- What is the school’s learning model, and will it be a good fit for my child?
- What is the school culture like?
- Does the school have data to prove student success: test scores, student growth, college readiness?
- What foreign languages are offered?
- What physical education and sports programs are available?
- Does the school offer open houses, information sessions, and tours for prospective parents and students to visit and learn more?
Sometimes, more students apply to a charter school than there are seats available. Then, the school will hold a lottery to choose which students to admit. For the 2014-15 school year, most schools will be accepting applications and holding their lotteries in Spring 2014. After the lottery, most schools maintain a waiting list, adding names on a first-come, first-served basis.
Do you have a question about “How do I choose a charter school for my child?” Please leave a comment below. Also, this earlier post has an excerpt on “What is a charter school?”
I also ask “Does the school have an art program? Is theatre included?”
and
“Are the dates and hours of the school something everyone in my family can embrace?”
Those are great questions, Stephanie!