Every parent wants the absolute best education for their children. But sometimes, the traditional public school system just doesn’t cut it, whether it’s because you disagree with the curriculum or the local public schools in your area aren’t high enough quality for your young ones.
Fortunately, there are many alternatives to traditional schooling for your child, such as Springs Charter School. Today, let’s break down these alternatives one by one.
Private School
Private schools might be some of the best options for your child if they are especially gifted. However, note that private schools require tuition and many are tied to specific religions. Catholic schools are great examples of common private schools throughout America that follow religiously-influenced curricula.
Because private schools have their own curriculums, they are held to higher than average standards relative to public schools. Those higher standards often lead to better educational outcomes, but parents have to foot the bill for those ancillary costs.
If you can afford private school, your child will benefit from smaller class sizes, more individual teacher attention, and lots of opportunities for extracurricular activities. Take a look at private schools in your area and see which ones are available – be sure to compare prices to find charter schools you might be able to afford.
Charter School
Charter schools are another good alternative to traditional schooling for your child. In a nutshell, charter schools are free public schools just like traditional schools. But they aren’t tied to a specific curriculum and have much more flexibility in terms of what they teach, how they teach it, and more.
All that means charter schools are held a higher academic and results standards than public schools. That’s good for your child since it ensures they will get a better education on average compared to what they would receive in the traditional schooling system.
For example, California charter schools like Springs are perfect choices for gifted kids whose parents want them to get the best education possible. There are lots of problems with California’s public school system that make these charter schools popular choices for parents who know that their kids can do better if they are given the right educational resources.
That said, charter schools can vary heavily in terms of their quality and outcomes, so do a lot of research before enrolling your child in one.
Boarding School
Then there’s boarding school. Boarding schools are pretty pricey and they require you to send your gifted child away from home to stay in a dormitory. Boarding schools are more common in Europe, though you can find quality boarding schools in America as well.
Many of the most elite schools in the country are boarding schools, in fact. Depending on the gifts of your child, some might even be the best choices for them, given their academic focuses.
Home Schooling
Do you have experience as an educator? Or do you want to take charge of your child’s education to maximize their potential? If the answer is yes to either of those questions, your child might benefit from a homeschooling program.
With homeschooling, you have 100% control over how and what your child is taught. However, keep in mind that you do have to follow some state mandates and your child has to pass state tests in order for them to “graduate” from high school or earn a GED. Still, this can be a great way to take full charge of your child’s education so you can focus on their gifts.
Vo-Tech School
Vo-tech or vocational-technical schools are pretty different from traditional schools. They’re usually available through local public high schools (so they’re only appropriate for high school-aged students).
In a nutshell, vo-tech schools have specialized programs that are designed for students who want to study a skilled trade, like carpentry, electric work, and more. If you know your child isn’t going to college but is gifted in another way, a vo-tech school could be right for them.
Independent Study Program
Lastly, there are independent study programs. Independent study programs compromise between traditional schooling and a more focused educational curriculum for your child. These allow students to study topics and subjects on their own, provided they turn work in at a designated deadline each week.
Most independent study programs incorporate faculty advisors who check in with students regularly. These programs can be great educational solutions if your family moves around frequently.
As you can see, there are many options available to you and your kids if you want to enroll them in an alternative schooling system. Whether you choose to go with a private school, a charter school like Springs, or something else, take heart in the fact that you as a parent are doing the absolute best for your kids. With your guidance, they’re sure to succeed academically and professionally as adults!
