How Do You Know What Type of School Is Right for Your Child?

My children - a high school senior who is off to college in the fall and a high school sophomore - have always attended public school for many reasons. The first and most important is the quality of the teachers. Public school teachers MUST be certified by the State. Most if not all of the teachers have Master's degrees in Education or their particular subject - be it Math or Reading or Science or History... Public school teachers MUST continue their education and take a number of classes each year.
The second reason my children have attended public school is that I pay taxes and through my taxes, I pay for the school system.
I have worked in private schools while my children attended public, and I can honestly tell you that the public schools offer SO much more. The music, arts, and athletics at the public school are more varied and of a MUCH higher quality.
If your child has a special need or is on an Individualized Educational Plan for any reason, the services offered and the teaching staff that offers those services are FAR better at the public school.
This is not to say that everything in the public system comes easy. You often have to make some noise and fight for what is best for your child. You'd have to do that in any school - public or private.
If you aren't sure what you want to do - go visit and do some research.
LBC

what's available in your area, your own family's philosophies, and trial and error.
:) khairete
S.

Hi, My:

Google each area of interest: Charter schools, private schools, and home schooling.

Ask for the rules and regulations of each when you google.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
D.

Nothing beats visiting the schools you are considering! There are good and bad schools in all categories. As Jill indicated, there are many factors to consider when choosing a school, and what will work best in each factor for your child. In my experience, a motivated child with involved parents who are not really struggling (like not enough food for your children) will do well regardless of the program (there are glaring exceptions to this, but if you care enough to ask this question, then you are not likely to put your kid in a school that is THAT bad).