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January has arrived, and if your family |
by Charlotte L. Bowman
While there is no perfect school, finding the school that is right for your family requires research. “Deciding where to send your children to school is one of the most important decisions parents will ever make. You don’t want to make a decision that is unfair to your child. Things may or may not work out,” said Bob Newton, retired Brookstone School headmaster.
Elizabeth Glass knew she wanted her daughter, Gracie, to attend private school, so the only question was which one. “I chose Wynnbrook for my daughter because it had a family atmosphere. I knew the academics were strong, and I also wanted her to be exposed to Christian values.”
The decision was more difficult for Julie Harris. She and her husband, Doug, liked Blackmon Road Middle School, but they worried the classes were too big, making it difficult for their son and daughter to form lasting friendships. After their son’s sixth grade year, they transferred their youngsters to St. Anne School.
Having grown up attending a private school, Jim Lynn wanted a similar environment for his three kids. He and his wife, Carol, chose Glenwood School in Phenix City. “With three children, spending nearly $40,000 every year on private education wasn’t a realistic option, even if the high end did give us the atmosphere we wanted. We found Glenwood to be a great balance,” he said.
As members of St. Luke United
Methodist Church, Jan Drew and her husband,
Tim, knew early on they wanted their
children to attend a Christian school.“St. Luke School was our first and only
choice,” she recalled. “I remember the day
my husband and I toured St. Luke seven
years ago. It felt as warm and comfortable
as being at home—a place where children
would thrive.”
The Benefits
According to the NCES report, private
schools have many academic advantages
that public schools cannot match, including
the following:
• Private school students generally perform
higher than their public school counterparts
on standardized achievement tests.
• Private high schools typically have more
demanding graduation requirements
than do public high schools.
• Private school graduates are more likely than their peers from public schools to have completed advanced-level courses in science, mathematics and foreign languages.
• Private school students are more likely than public school students to complete a bachelor’s or advanced degree by their mid-20s.
Other benefits include smaller average class sizes, lower student to teacher ratios and stronger parent networks. “I think one of the reasons parents choose our school is our size,” explained Diana Hankins, principal at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. “We’re small, which allows us to become like an extended family with the students, parents, faculty and staff.”
Glass and her family have witnessed the
benefits of a close-knit school community
first hand. “Gracie has been in the hospital
a couple times since she’s been at
Wynnbrook. Each time when she comes
back to school, children and teachers from
every grade will come up to her and
say, ‘We’ve been praying for you.’ It’s just
amazing that the school family is so concerned
about her.”
The smaller student population at St. Anne was exactly what the Harris family wanted. “Our son has a quiet personality,” Julie Harris explained. “His personality totally changed at St. Anne. He knew everyone there and had the same kids in his class every year. He became more outgoing and was much more comfortable.”
The Drew family liked the Christian environment at St. Luke School. “The fact that our children learn about the Bible every day is a true blessing in the world we live in,” said Jan Drew. “We can clearly see that the decisions our children are making at this young age are strongly influenced by the environment in which they learn, and that is any parent’s prayer.”
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Local Options |
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If you are interested in private schooling for your child, here is a list of the options available to Chattahoochee Valley parents. |
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Brookstone School |
Our Lady of Lourdes School |
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Some private schools also offer a variety of athletics, clubs and organizations and extra-curricular activities. Harris was very pleased with the athletic program at St. Anne School and Pacelli High School. “Our two children been able to participate in sports and many after school activities. My son plays football, baseball and tennis. He got a lot of exposure and playing time at Pacelli and earned a scholarship to walk on the football team at Clemson University.”
Some parents who choose private school for their children are motivated by a sense of security. “They want an environment where families that think like them about education can come together, take the time to be involved and make the school a safe place for their children to learn and grow,” Hankins explained.
All the families agreed that a huge benefit to private education is a strong parent network. “Parents are actively involved, not just helping with field trips, but actually helping set policy for the school,” Jim Lynn said. “You don’t just drop your kid off in the morning. You’re fully engaged in the child’s day and in what the child learns and in being an advocate for creative teaching.”
The Cost Factor
One of the biggest drawbacks to private
education is the financial commitment.
Costs can be substantial. Not all private
schools have big endowments or five-figure
tuitions. Instead, they rely on fundraisers
and annual fund campaigns to keep tuition
reasonable and to meet the needs of the
school. Some private schools are even able
to offer scholarships and financial assistance
to qualifying families.
“You really need to know going in that the school counts on your family’s participation, from volunteering to financial support,” Drew said. “Without that, it’s difficult for the private school to survive. We knew that once we made the decision, we would be in a long-term commitment and, although sometimes it can be a financial strain, we have never regretted our decision.”
Finding
the Right School
Because schools are so different, parents
must decide what is important for their
family. “Do you want an independent school
or a Christian school?” asked Newton. “What does your child need? Are you looking
for diversity? Extra-curricular activities?
Academics?”
Talk to other parents, advised Lynn. “Ask your neighbors, co-workers and fellow church members where they send their kids and why,” he said. “Remember, though, your values may not be the same as those you ask, but listen to what they have to say and use it as one piece in your decisionmaking process.”
If academics are important to you, ask to see the average test scores. “Look at the faculty,” advised Newton. “Find out whether the teachers are qualified to teach. Ask whether the school is accredited, and if so, by whom.”
Once you have a list of potential schools, visit them and get a feel for what they offer. Look at the school’s infrastructure. Does it have a well-stocked library? Ask questions about the school’s curriculum, discipline policy, extracurricular activities, dress code, application process and tuition. Take a tour of the school and spend some time observing a classroom.
“Meeting with the headmaster can certainly answer a lot of your questions and help guide you in your decision,” Drew said. “If you are even considering this choice, you owe it to yourself to take a tour of the school and meet with the principal before you make a final decision.”
Other options
If traditional public or private school
doesn’t work for your family, other options
are available.
Since 1935, Hallie Turner Private School
has provided alternative education for area
students, with smaller classes and individualized
learning. Here, students ages 16 and
older can work at their own pace. Hallie Turner provides an accredited day program,
night program and summer school.
Some county systems include magnet schools, such as Muscogee County’s Clubview Elementary International Baccalaureate magnet, which offer many of the benefits of private school within the public school system. Entrance tests are often administered and a limited number of students accepted. However, no tuition is required, and school zoning is lifted, allowing someone living several miles away, or even outside the county, to attend if accepted.
The Chattahoochee Valley provides a wealth of high-quality schooling options, making the decision of where to send our children all the more difficult. “You have to look at the whole child and the environment you want them to be in,” Harris advises. “A lot of schools around here offer a great academic atmosphere. So the decision is really based on the environment you want for your child.”
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