National School Choice Week (SCW) is all about letting parents be in control of their child’s education. This year, SCW is from January 21st to January 27th. When parents choose the education they feel is the best fit, the child is more likely to succeed. These successes can be seen in their educational careers, as well as all throughout their lives. There are various types of schools available for families to choose from that offer a variety of different learning environments. Choosing the best school for your child is important; use this as a guide to help you weigh your options while you’re making that important decision.
Here are 7 types of schools that participate in SCW:
- Traditional Public Schooling
- Public schools are the most familiar approach that families use for their student’s education. The classrooms in these schools typically consist of children with approximately all the same ages. They are teacher focused learning environments with state-approved curriculums that are required to be covered. Public schools have more structure with education and standards for learning because most of the funding comes from state and local taxes. Public schools are also a great option for children looking to excel in sports as these schools typically take pride in their athletic departments.
- Public Charter Schooling
- Charter schools operate under a contract or charter that governs them and sets details of the schools. These learning environments are similar to the traditional schooling method but are a little more flexible. Because they are not run by the state, there are fewer restraints in teaching, and the students are encouraged to think outside of the box.
- Public Magnet Schooling
- Public Magnet schools are schools operated by a particular district that get their funding from the state and the federal government. These schools, however, function outside of the boundaries of school zoning that typical public schools have. Public Magnet schools also generally have specialized curriculums and courses. This style school is interesting in that it eliminates the normal neighborhood cliques and encourages students to intermingle.
- Montessori Schooling
- Montessori schools have a more student-oriented approach. Activities are typically student-run and hands-on to encourage teamwork and unity. These schools also have classrooms consisting of students with a broader age range. With the extra freedom within these classrooms, Montessori schools might be appealing to extraverted children who prefer a more communal environment.
- Private Schooling
- Private schools set their own criteria for their schooling. They are not funded by federal, state, or local government. In other words, they are not funded by public tax dollars. Most public schools are funded by tuition and have smaller class sizes. Some schools may also have religious or spiritual aspects to them that may be of interest to some students and families. Interdisciplinary arts also tend to be more heavily recognized which allows students to showcase talents in those areas more so than in a public school.
- Homeschooling
- Homeschooling is when a child is taught at home. Most parents have personal reasons for homeschooling their child and the idea has been becoming more and more popular. They are generally funded by the household themselves. Many areas have networking events, sports teams, and conferences for homeschoolers to get to know one another. This type of schooling is beneficial in that the parent is able to work side by side with their child and build strong relationships. Homeschooling also allows parents to address demanding subject matters the way they deem necessary and during a time they see fit.
- Cyber Schooling
- Cyber schooling is schooling done entirely on the computer. Lessons can either be completed using a live video call with a teacher or through an educational platform where the individual can move at their own pace. Cyber School may be appealing for those with a busy schedule or those who travel a lot. Cyber schooling gives you flexibility in addition to quality education at an affordable price.
If you’ve been curious about the different kinds of schools available to you, hopefully, this material can help lead you in the right direction. Choosing the school that best fits your child’s learning needs and also works best for your family is an important decision with significant effects, so it’s important for you to weigh all your options and do plenty of research.
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SOURCES: https://montessori-nw.org/what-is-montessori-education/, http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Organizing-a-school/Charter-schools-Finding-out-the-facts-At-a-glance, https://www.parents.com/kids/education/home-schooling/homeschooling-101-what-is-homeschooling/, https://www.privateschoolreview.com/blog/25-things-you-need-to-know-about-private-schools, https://www.sonlight.com/before-you-start-homeschooling/,https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-to-cyber-school,http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/pros_cons_montessori_education/,https://www.privateschoolreview.com/blog/why-private-school