Parents should consider four basic things before choosing the right high school for their child:
- how the student’s learning is impacted by the size of the school and the student-teacher ratio
- how far away the programs are
- the student’s values and whether they will fit better in a private or public setting
- the student’s interest in extracurricular activities and boosting their college applications
School Size is Important
A large school can have a positive or negative impact on a student, depending on his or her social skills and maturity level. The national trend is still to build large facilities that hold several thousand students, creating fewer personal environments, where students can find it hard to advocate for themselves. The advantages, however, include a wider variety of programming, more diverse extracurricular activities, and more successful athletic programs.
Some students flourish in the more intimate atmosphere of smaller schools. Charter and private high schools can provide lower student-teacher ratios and more personalized curriculum, but they often have a smaller range of offerings. They often make up for their inability to offer “everything” by encouraging internships and leveraging external resources for extracurricular activities.
Is Distance an Issue?
Large high schools are usually fed by several middle schools. The commute to these larger schools can range from 20-60 minutes by bus or car, depending on traffic patterns and the location of the student's residence. Although busing is provided by public schools, bus rides can often take over an hour and begin very early in the morning. Private and charter high schools generally do not provide transportation, but usually have carpool programs for families outside their immediate area and more reasonable start and end times.
Considering Private or Charter Schools
Years ago, students were only given a public school education through 6th grade and children preparing for college went to private boarding schools to finish their schooling. Public school systems now provide an education through the 12th grade, but private schools still provide a wide variety of options for parents who are looking for the right program.
There is a great deal of scholarship money available for students who are interested in attending private schools, and parents should check with the admissions office of a private school that interests them for assistance. Never assume that private education is out of reach. Just like colleges and universities, the private secondary education market is always looking for social and racial diversity, and many more doors may be open than people realize.
The charter school movement in this country has also created a number of smaller public high school programs that have the more personal setting of a private school without the cost. Many of these charter high schools offer challenging academics, sports, student activities, and an emphasis on student success in a supportive environment. All but 10 states have approved charter school legislation.
If a charter school is an option, some online research will show whether or not the program is functioning well. Many of these schools have strong leadership and citizenship components and offer internships, job-shadowing, and community service as requirements for graduation. Because of their smaller size and free tuition, these schools often attract students who do not perform well on standardized tests, so unless publicized state test scores for a charter school are VERY low, other criteria should be used as well to gauge the success of its program.
Looking for Traditional Academics or Unique Course Offerings
Personal experience, a parent's philosophy of what secondary education should provide, and a child’s unique needs are important in determining the best environment. Therefore, choosing a high school requires careful consideration.
How does the student learn best – in large classes with lectures, memorization, and testing, or in smaller classes with more student interaction and more attention? How does the child make friends and work with peers? Does a student do best with a traditional curriculum, or would she prefer one that emphasizes literature, writing, and research? Education should not be “one size fits all,” and with the number of different programs available, parents can find one that best fits their family’s needs.
It is extremely important to consider all available options for high school – not just merely what the neighbors are doing. Parents should take the time to inventory their children’s strengths and weaknesses, their potential career interests, and their hobbies, and see where their energies need to be focused for their final four years of schooling. This is the most critical four years of their developing lives, and both students and parents should spend as much time considering high school options as they will spend on college applications in four more years.
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