By Andrew Campanella
Great learning environments elude easy definitions. They come in all different shapes — traditional public schools, public magnet schools, public charter schools, private schools, online academies and homeschooling programs. Perhaps the best definition is this: A great school is one in which students are academically challenged, equipped to be a good citizens and persons, and inspired to greatness.
Because children are different, you can best find a great school for your child when you have diverse options to consider. That could mean open enrollment in a public school outside of your “zone” so your child stays connected with an important peer group. It could mean a charter school focusing on classical education or a magnet school that lets students shadow medical professionals. Maybe it’s learning at an accelerated pace at home or through online coursework, or in a private school that shares your values.
It’s parents who really decide whether a school is good or even great, based on their children’s needs and interests. What might be an excellent learning environment for one child might not be a good fit for another.
That’s one reason National School Choice Week, Jan. 26 through Feb. 1, is important. It raises awareness among parents of their K-12 education options. It’s celebrated by teachers, school leaders, parents, students and community leaders at 50,000 events and activities.
This National School Choice Week, I encourage all families to explore their education options. You can start, and discover the choices available to you, at www.schoolchoiceweek.com/mystate/.
Andrew Campanella is president of National School Choice Week and the author of “The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Finding the Right School for Your Child.”
— NAPS
