All our kids graduated from charter schools. Not as many options as big traditional public schools but more rigorous and less discipline problems. It was a good decision for our kids.

There are advantages to public school. I think as a well rounded individual you should be able to relate to people from all walks of life. Of course the school has to offer decent courses so you can be accepted to a good college. I went to a private university after years of public school. It was easy to pick out the kids that went to private school.{Private school as in Back East money. They had trouble socially and seemed lost in college}

One of our relatives teaches 8th grade in a charter middle school. For the most part, they use 11 - 12 grade curriculum. Generally, parents are involved. Discipline issues are minor. Daily attendance is high.

I am a retired public school educator and administrator and would advise you to look past the labels schools give themselves and look at their actual records which, in most states, will provide details such as graduation percentage, suspensions, daily attendance and so forth. These records can be found at the state office of public education, listed by district and school.

In looking up information about a magnet school where a recent stabbing occurred the splashy hype about the school’s magnet offerings were belied by the poor graduation rate, attendance, rate of suspensions, and basic skills tests on the part of the students.

You and your spouse know your children better than any professional educator. So, what lights a fire of interest in them? How do they best learn? That might be a good place to start. I strongly believe that finding a child’s strengths and working to develop them in the midst of a well-rounded curriculum is critical. Far too many educational programs focus on remediation as opposed to strength development; not a good environment for learners.

We had our kids in public school, Christian school, and they were homeschooled. Each spot was right for the time. My wife (the brains of the outfit) focused on the rigor of the curriculum, I was more concerned with character development, safety, and accountability.

To be honest, you are exactly the kind of parent needed in this world. Thank you.

Silent