As a parent, finding the right opportunities for your kids can be a challenge. Whether it’s school, sports, extracurricular drama programs or neighborhood guitar lessons, there are so many aspects to consider before jumping all in. At the top of your list of important things to figure out for your family is where they should go to school. But how do you choose which charter school is right?
Look at Local Options First
Charter schools have been popping up at an increasingly fast rate all over the country. In fact, as of January 2018, over 6700 charter schools were open and ready for students. Those kinds of numbers can be staggering, so don’t let the idea of finding the right charter school completely overwhelm you until you have a chance to look at what kinds of options are closest to home.
Depending on your location, you may be surprised to see just how many charter school options are available. With so much information available online, it’s easy to find reviews from real people. When doing your initial survey of your options, ask the following questions:
- How far away from home is this school located?
- Is there a bus system available, or will I need to drive my student every day?
- Do other children in the neighborhood attend this school?
- If not, does the school help coordinate carpools?
Consider the School’s Focus
Each charter school is founded with particular principles and ideas that shape the entire educational experience, right down to the way the school contractor Sacramento CA was asked to plan out the building. With your child’s needs, desires, interests and strengths in mind, look into the focus of each charter school. Do they emphasize outdoor learning? Are the classes heavily focused on the arts? Is STEM-based education the main theme? These types of questions will guide your search in an important way.
Take a Tour of Your Top Three
Finding the right charter school for your kid seems scary and difficult, especially if it’s your first time doing so. However, after asking yourself some of these important questions, you’ll soon be able to narrow your list down to a handful of good candidates. The last step is to take a tour of the school, and do whatever else you feel is necessary to get a good feel for the building, teachers, and student experience. These steps will lead you to making the right decision.