hot topic: SCHOOLS THE GO-TO GUIDE
How to Choose a School WHEN YOU HAVE A CHOICE
BY HEATHER WEEKLEY AND JANE HAWES
Gone are the days when “choosing a school” meant you were opting out of the publicschool system. Nowadays, within the public and private school systems, there are a variety of choices. To help Columbus parents navigate this process, we have compiled some useful information with help from School Choice Ohio (a non-profit organization that provides resources and support to families), the Ohio Department of Education, and local educators and administrators.
KEY TERMS • PUBLIC SCHOOLS: traditional publicly-funded schools, operated by a local school district and board of education • MAGNET/LOTTERY SCHOOLS: public schools offering specialized curricula; they may have competitive entry procedures • CHARTER SCHOOLS: public schools operated on different state guidelines and also called “community” schools; they sometimes focus on particular teaching philosophies or subject areas, but are not based on religious faith. • PRIVATE SCHOOLS: charge tuition and are largely independent from the public-school system • PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS: charge tuition and include religious instruction as part of their mission and daily curricula • HOMESCHOOL: when parents educate their children on their own • ROLLING ADMISSIONS: Students can apply and be admitted at any point in the school year. In a non-rolling admissions system, applications generally are made by early February with acceptance notification coming on March 1.
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DEFINING WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU If you’re looking beyond a traditional public school, any school you’re considering is likely to occupy its own niche: “We really do have our own flavors,” said John Wuorinen, Columbus Academy’s Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. “Each school has its own ethos and character.” So learn what those flavors are, and then find the one that best satisfies your child’s appetite for learning. Here are some of the issues that many parents use to narrow down their choices: • CLASS SIZE: All the educators we spoke to said this is probably the most popular issue when parents are considering a school that charges tuition. • SAFETY: “This one has really stood out in the last 5 to 10 years,” said Scott Burton, Marburn Academy’s associate head of school. “Usually we think physical safety, but it’s also about emotional, particularly with things like cyberbullying now.” • RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
DOING THE RESEARCH • Start early, at least eight months prior to the start of a new school year, say school administrators, and be mindful of the various deadlines (whether applying for admission or financial aid). • Visit a school during open houses and during a normal school day
• YOUR CHILD’S AGE: In the middle-school and high-school age groups, educators say that the child should be very involved in making the decision about where to go to school.
• Talk to other parents and students at the school: “The grapevine is a fantastic resource,” said Wuorinen.
• ”AFFINITY-BASED PROGRAMS”: This is the new term for extracurricular activities. These, said Burton, are “just as important (as core classes) for many kids, and colleges are taking a closer look at these now.”
• Check out these websites: scohio.org; education.ohio.gov; greatschools.org/ohio; ilrc.ode.state.oh.us; and pickyparent.com (also offers a companion workbook to aid in decision making)
| Central Ohio Schools Directory 2012 | columbusparent.com