FAQ update: How do I choose a charter school for my child?

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?”