As a parent to three very different children with unique educational needs, I am now learning that education is not a one-size fits all solution.  Today, we have many secondary education options including public schools, charter schools, private schools, Christian schools, home school, and even virtual learning environments.  Smaller, rural communities often don’t have as many options but it’s worth taking a look into the available options.

My daughters have attended public schools in a large city and in a small rural community and have done well.  They’ve had opportunity to be involved in various extracurricular activities, as well as in my eldest daughter’s case, take pre-AP classes in middle school.  There are several things to consider when choosing a school.

What’s the size of the school and how will your child adapt?  Some children are not comfortable in large crowds.

What’s the student to teacher ratio?  If your child needs more individualized attention/instruction, smaller classes or a smaller ratio may be better.

What’s the social scene like? Are there many clubs or organizations?  Are there opportunities to socialize during lunch or recess?  If your child is a social butterfly and thrives on socializing, that’s something to take into consideration.  If your child is intimidated by a lot of socialization, that’s something to consider.

Does the school have a diverse student and teacher population? If it’s important for your child to interact with various cultures and learn different perspectives, you should consider that.

What are the core values and mission of the school?  How does this line up with your educational values?

Does the school teach biblical principles in its curriculum? Is that important to you?

It is our job and responsibility as parents/grandparents to research the options and know which educational environment is best suited for our children.  I know friends who drive their children to schools that are an hour away or home school.  It’s also to our advantage not to look down on the option another parent has chosen.

The most important thing is to make sure our children are learning, developing and growing into successful and productive citizens who are living out their purpose.  Is the educational option you’ve chosen giving your child this opportunity?  Are you cultivating values that are important to his/her well being?  Are you getting a good return on investment? Is your child discovering his/her purpose and what he/she can contribute to society?  It’s never too early to instill these values by nurturing your child’s development and reinforcing what he/she is learning at school.

I challenge us as parents to get involved in our children’s educational options and do our homework to make sure we’ve placed them in the best environment where they will thrive.

~Coletta Jones Patterson