Parents can exercise choice in schools in many ways. The most common way may be simply to choose where to live based on the public school district or neighborhood schools. In many areas, you can choose from neighborhood schools, charter schools or other public schools of choice, or transfer your child to another public school (in or out of district). You can also select a private school (religious or secular) or teach your child at home (homeschooling).

It’s Your Decision

Choosing your child's school carefully is an important way to help your child achieve all that he or she can be. Choosing your child's school may also make you more confident that your child will receive effective and fair treatment according to his or her needs.

What Choices Are Available?

Different schools offer alternatives in teaching styles, content, and learning opportunities. This section briefly describes some types of schools you may find.

Public schools

Many parents choose to send their children to the public school in their neighborhood.   This is done according to an assignment system developed by the school district. Attending a neighborhood public school can make it easy for your child to get to school, to work with classmates on group projects, and to visit friends. These schools are often anchors in a community.

You may want to investigate other public schools. In an increasing number of districts, you can choose to send your child to a specialized public school. These schools of choice often emphasize a particular subject or have a special philosophy of education. One school might emphasize science, art, or language study. Another might offer a firm code of conduct, a dress code, or a rigorous traditional academic program.

Another may be an alternative school designed to respond to students who are insufficiently challenged by the regular school program, who might be likely to drop out, or who have behavioral or substance abuse problems. These schools, often small, work to make students feel that they belong. Some states also offer second-chance schools or clinics for students who have dropped out of regular schools and now want to complete their education.

Charter schools

Charter schools are public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the local and state regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Charter schools allow parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, and others the flexibility to innovate, create and provide students with increased educational options. Charter schools exercise increased autonomy in return for stronger accountability. They are sponsored by designated local, state, or other organizations that monitor their quality and integrity while holding them accountable for academic results and fiscal practices.  The quality of your local charter schools may vary greatly.

Magnet schools

Magnet schools are designed to attract students from diverse social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds by focusing on a specific subject, such as science, technology, or the arts. Some magnet schools require students to take an exam or demonstrate knowledge or skill in the specialty to qualify to go to the school, while others are open to students who express an interest in that area.

Virtual schools

Virtual schools offer students an education through an online curriculum.  Also known as “distance learning,” this type of education does not take place in school buildings, but instead through a computer. Although fairly new, virtual schools have an organized curriculum , and depending on the state and district, students can take a full curriculum or choose to enroll in individual classes. Some school districts offer these online schools to offer classes that will help students learn at their own pace.

Advanced Placement / International Baccalaureate programs

Advanced Placement courses offer rigorous content, and at the end of a course students can take the national Advanced Placement exam. If they score well on the exam, many colleges and universities will grant college credit for completing the course. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a program of rigorous academic courses. Students who graduate from the program receive an International Baccalaureate diploma that is recognized by colleges and universities throughout the world. Other students may choose not to take the full IB curriculum but pursue certificates in individual areas. Although these programs are aimed at high school students, some elementary and middle schools may also offer components of the IB program.

Private schools

In addition to public schools, you can choose from a variety of religious, other nonpublic schools or boarding schools. These schools of choice have been part of the fabric of American education since colonial days. These schools have been established to meet the demand to support parents’ differing beliefs about how their children should be educated.

Religious private schools. The majority of nonpublic schools are religious. Many are affiliated with a denomination, local church, or religious faith such as Roman Catholic, Protestant, conservative Christian, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or other.  These schools combine a full educational curriculum with religious teachings.

Secular private schools. There are also many nonpublic schools without a religious identity or affiliation. Some of these private schools are preparatory schools designed to prepare students for college. These schools often have a traditional or elite reputation and a long history. Other schools are based on a particular educational philosophy or approach to learning, such as Montessori or Waldorf schools; have a special education focus, such as schools for the deaf or blind; or have been established for families and children who may be dissatisfied with various aspects of conventional schools.

Home schools

Homeschooling is an option for a growing number of parents. Some parents prepare their own materials and design their own programs of study, while others use materials produced by companies specializing in homeschool materials. Some take advantage of virtual school programs or other educational resources available on the Internet. Of course, exercising this option may require major changes in how your family lives. Teaching your children at home is an ambitious undertaking, requiring time, planning, creativity, and commitment. Be sure to check with your state because different states have different requirements for homeschooling.

Use the Internet to Learn More

The Internet can be an effective tool for finding out more information about choosing the right school for your child.

• U.S. Department of Education has information for parents
  
• Council of Chief State School Officers has links to state education agencies where you can learn about school performance and supplemental educational services providers
• Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) has articles and reports on topics related to school choice
  
• The  GreatSchools website provides helpful profiles and comparative performance data. 
  
• National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education has global school search capabilities.
  
• Office of Non-Public Education, U.S. Department of Education links to private school organizations, a private school locator, and other information about nonpublic education.
  
• Parental Information and Resource Centers, U.S. Department of Education, includes a directory of nationwide centers
  
• The  SchoolMatters website provides a listing of comparative performance data 
  
• U.S. Charter Schools contains complete information about charter schools

The Web has many other resources, including instructional materials, assistance on legal issues, links to support groups, and others. Web sites for homeschoolers are too numerous to list here, but a search on terms such as "homeschool" or "homeschooling" should lead you to those sites that best match your interests and needs.

Admissions Procedures for Public and Private Schools

The admissions process for both public and private schools can be tricky.  Keep the following questions in mind when you think about applying to a school for your child.

Public school admissions

• Are admissions requirements published in languages other than English?
• Is there an application process?
  
• What is the application deadline?
  
• Is anything else required in the application (test scores, interview, recommendations, application fees, etc.)?
  
• Are test scores required for admission?
  
• What are the ranges of scores for admitted students?
  
• Do admissions requirements include a portfolio, an audition or statement of interest?
  
• Are there any other admissions requirements?

Private school admissions

• Does the school close for religious and federal holidays?
• What is the tuition?
• Is there a payment plan?
• Is there a sliding scale for tuition, based on parish, church affiliation, or family income?
• What are the other fees and expenses (room and board, uniforms, books, transportation, lab and computer fees, activity fees)?
• What scholarships and loans are available?
• Are students or their parents required to be of a particular faith?
• Does the school have a policy on student participation in religious instruction and worship?

Questions For Homeschoolers

• Have you identified curriculum materials for your child, and how much they will cost?
  
• Is there a suitable place for your child's study and instruction?
  
• Do you, your spouse, or another homeschooling parent have adequate free time to be available to your homeschooling child?
  
• Do other families in your area homeschool their children?
  
• Is there a support group of homeschoolers near you?
  
• If you are interested in some outside instructional support, have you checked your local library, parks department, scouting organizations, public and private schools, and similar resources?
  
• Have you searched the Web for resources on instruction, legal issues, support groups, and other matters?
  
• Have you identified other resources you will need?
  
• Have you checked state regulations? (They are usually available on the web or from your local public school or school district.)
  
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