A Primer for Finding the Perfect Private School
Bookwork + Legwork Adds Up to the Right Choice for your Child
As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else… his or her special qualities, needs, strengths, and weaknesses. When it comes to getting a good education, will public or private school be best? And if private, which one? The latter can be a tough call when faced with a bewildering array of options, not to mention financial considerations. You may have a child with special needs that a public school can’t meet, you may have attended a private school and want a similar experience for your child, or you may feel that a religion-based atmosphere will provide the right foundation for his/her education. Finding the right fit can be a daunting task, but a little homework and investigative legwork will eventually lead you to the right choice.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are over 2,000 private schools in Florida, with an enrollment of more than 250,000 students. Dr. Luci Higgins, Director of Curriculum for The First Academy in Orlando points out that private schools allow educators to practice the “art” of teaching without some of the tedious and bureaucratic constraints placed on public school educators and principals by legislators who have no educational background/experience.
When and Where to Begin
Admission to these learning institutions can be fiercely competitive. Experts suggest that parents begin their search early, up to a year in advance if possible and preferably while school is in session in order to talk to school administrators and visit classrooms. Dr. Higgins takes it a step further and suggests that the best time to begin a search for the right private school is before you have children. Begin by asking yourself a few initial questions:
- Can the family budget handle the costs involved? Tuition andfees are enough to make a parent break out in a cold sweat, even though financial aid services are available and payments can be made in installments. It takes a bit of research, but there are options out there.
- Does the school address a child’s special learning needs, such as a hearing impairment, language difficulties, or delayed physical or emotional development? In today’s economic climate, government cutbacks for public schools are causing programs for children with specials needs to scale back and in some cases be eliminated. Privately funded school may become the best option.
- Is a religion-based school preferred? For some parents, an education acquired in a Christian or other religious environment may be afamily tradition, making a strong statement about the family’s religious beliefs.
- What are the teacher certification requirements? Public schools require their teachers to be state certified. Most private schools hire state certified teachers, but some place more emphasis on excellent teaching skills and an advanced degree in a language, for example, rather than an education degree with a minor in a language.
- Is the school accredited? It’s important to look for a school thatis accredited. Florida Department of Education recognizes only six regional accreditation bodies to evaluate academic progress, extracurricular activities, staff qualifications, and financial stability. Be sure to check out the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the highest educationaccreditation entities.
- Does the school offer specialized academic curricula with a wide range of extracurricular options? Consider schools with high student performance standards and a focus on building a strong academic foundation for college placement. Private schools’ college placement scores tend to be higher because they can be selective and only admit students who can and want to do the work. Private schools with endowments and non-public funding sources are typically known for impressive facilities and amenities that can rival some universities and are often recognized for excellence in certain sports.
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You’ve done the online research and narrowed the list of private schools that meet your basic criteria. Now it’s time to visit the campuses.
According to the Private School Review, an online resource offering profiles of private schools nationwide, there are five things a good school should offer: small class sizes, highly qualified teachers, a sense of community, an extensive sports program, anda wide variety of extracurricular activities.
Orlando mom, Cynthia Guerrero, has a daughter and twosons who attend Windermere Preparatory School. After talking toother parents, she felt that a private school would likely offer a safer, zero tolerance environment, and she liked the demanding college prep curricula. With children in elementary grades, her focus was on a good solid academic foundation. “We visited the campuses and met the principals. We wanted to see students and teachers in action, so I had my daughter shadow the kids so she could see what it was really like,” she states. As children approach high school age, safety, as it relates to drugs, violence and guns, will be added to her list of priorities. “We are zoned for Olympia High School, a public school in Orlando. It has a great reputation, but my children really like Windermere Prep. Unless we decide that private school costs are no longer affordable, my kids will stay where they are for their high school experience.”
Milagros Buckley has two children whose education began in a private Montessori based school. After graduation, they enrolled in a private parochial school in downtown Orlando where Buckley has been driving her kids 20 miles each day to and from. “We want our children to have a strong learning centered environment and be challenged to meet their potential,” says the busy Mom,who feels that small class sizes in private schools contribute to that endeavor.
It’s worth noting that many public schools offer exceptional programs as well. After Buckley’s son graduated from 8th grade, she did a lot of research on public and private schools and visited several campuses. “We decided to enroll our son in Olympia High School, a public school with a rigorous Advanced Placement Experience Scholars Academy (APEX) offering an accelerated honors level and intensive advanced placement courses for gifted learners.”
Experts will tell you that private schools enthusiastically encourage a three-way partnership between the parent, the student and the school, where all are working together toward a common goal. As a child, Rebecca Wilson attended Lake Highland Prep in Orlando and now has three girls, 11, 9, and 8 years of age, who attend the same private school. “It’s like a college campus, and the facilities and after-school activities are unbeatable,” says the school’s alumna. “We received great feedback about the teachers and everyone was so friendly when we visited the campus.” It’s a30-minute drive each way every day, but Wilson says it is worth it because the school offers a secure, Christian-based environment, in addition to strong academic programs.
The bottom line is to start your search early. Time is needed to compare schools, arrange for financing if needed, and participate in the sometimes lengthy application process. Celebrating an acceptance letter to the school of your choice will be the welcome payoff.
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