Choosing a School for Your Child: Resources and Information for Finding the Right One
Understanding Different Types of Schools
With choices ranging from public, private, charter, magnet, independent and parochial schools, how can you find the right one? Before you get overwhelmed, read this guide to find the best Web sites for understanding different types of schools.
Insights for Understanding Different Types of Schools
- Charter schools are public schools that are privately managed by a team selected by parents, teachers and community members.
- Magnet schools are part of the public school system but offer a specialized curriculum.
- Independent schools are nonprofit private schools, governed by elected boards of trustees.
- Parochial schools are church-affiliated private schools and function like independent schools.
Top Sites for Understanding Different Types of Schools
NCES Kids’ Zone lists more than 94,000 public schools and 30,000 private schools in the United States. Choose a state on the map to find schools listed by city; each school links to a complete profile page.
The U.S. Department of Education official Web site provides extensive information on public school education in the U.S. Find state information such as your state department of education, and information for parents.
GreatSchools lets you explore different types of schools with tools that help you research and compare private, public and charter schools around the U.S. Search by zip code, district or city to compare schools.
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) helps you find college-preparatory boarding schools by school name, location or type (for example, military schools or girls schools).
The Independent Schools Directory lists more than 36,000 independent schools around the world, and links to each school. Choose your location to search for schools by keyword, category or more specific location.
Schools for Gifted Students
Explore schools for gifted students to get familiar with how gifted and talented is defined around the country, how different programs cater to gifted students and to find guidance on choosing a school or program for your gifted child.
Insights for Schools for Gifted Students
- Different states have different standards for classifying kids as gifted and talented. The Education Commission of the States lists every state’s definition.
- Some districts have specific schools for gifted students, while other districts use different methods to accommodate talented students. Differentiated instruction is one method that attempts to address the needs of students at all levels within the classroom. Pull-out programs, working groups and regrouping for specific instruction are other models used to cater to gifted students.
Top Sites for Schools for Gifted Students
Gifted Development Center links to a PDF of an article by Barbara Gilman, author of “Empowering Gifted Minds.” The article, “Where Shall I Send My Gifted Child to School?” helps you make an informed decision when searching for a school.
National Association for Gifted Children provides a thorough “FAQs” section that elaborates on gifted students in the classroom. Use the “Gifted By State” map to link to contacts, statistics and policy information for each state regarding programs and schools for gifted children.
Family Education has an article on “What to Look for in a Gifted Program” that offers suggestions and tips for parents when considering a gifted program or school.
Special Education Programs
Some children experience difficulty in school, ranging from concentration problems to learning, perception and behavior problems. These students may need special education programs to learn at their own unique pace.
Insights for Special Education Programs
- Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, parents of kids with special needs can work with educators to create an individualized education plan (IEP). Learn more about IEPs and the referral and evaluation process.
- If your child is referred to a special education program, it’s a good idea to become familiar with your rights under special education laws.
- Although learning disabilities are never outgrown, proper identification, support and intervention can help a child become successful in learning and in life. To learn more about learning disabilities, see our findingDulcinea Learning Disabilities Web Guide.
Top Sites for Special Education Programs
ADDitude, a Web site devoted to children with ADD and learning disabilities, has an article on what to look for when selecting a school or special education program for a child with ADHD.
NICHCY has a collection of special needs agencies in all 50 states, with links to additional resources for parents looking for information on special education programs.
Applying to Schools
The school application process can be rigorous, time-consuming and expensive. Use the Web sites in this section to find strategies for applying to schools that can help your child get into the school of their choice.
Insights for Applying to Schools
- Applying to elementary, middle school and high school can be similar to the college application process. Testing, essays, letters of recommendation and interviews may be required.
- Not meeting deadlines can prevent your child from getting into their ideal school. Keep a running list of all application deadlines, including deadlines for testing, essays, medical exams and interviews.
Top Sites for Applying to Schools
Educational Records Bureau (ERB) is the official organization that some schools use to design, administer and grade entrance exams. Find information on admissions tests for pre-K thru grade 12 in the “For Parents & Students” section.
BabyCenter provides no-nonsense advice for parents in their article, “How to get into the school of your choice.”
GeekMommy’s Weblife is a blog written by a mother of grade school child. In this post, she discusses the intricacies of the admissions process for young children.
