Hellobee Boards

Yeah, charter schools are typically publicly funded but can follow their own curriculum. Which is usually more intense than neighboring public schools. Which is what makes them a draw for parents in a less than stellar district.

Nope! DH is a public school teacher and not a fan of charter schools. Plus we live in a great district so no need to even think about them.

Yes there is one we would love to get into because it offers second language immersion. otherwise we are not interested in the rest. Our public district is hit or miss because a lot of people send to private so we need to explore all options.

No. They aren't allowed here but even if they were I wouldn't send her. I am a firm supporter of public education and public schools.

Our resides school isn't the greatest but it isn't terrible either. I'm not going to try to go outside of our cluster for something better.

@regberadaisy: Our Charter schools seem to be opposite!

I think these vary widely by area and state. Charter schools in our area generally have terrible reputations. Very few maintain ownership from year to year. There is no consistency within the administration, and teacher turnover is terrible. Our city public schools are not the greatest, but most people move to the suburbs rather than even considering a charter. I live in a mid-size Midwestern city.

I personally went to a small charter high school, and I would never send my children to one. I'm sure they are all different though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

The one that I went to boasted that it was a college-prep high school, and focused on more math/english/second language classes for college to see on the transcripts. Well their curriculum was horrible. I went to a private school before that, and basically freshman year was a refresher of grade school, way too simple and didn't really allow students to advance based on skill level. it was a set program for everyone. Needless to say once I got to college, I was screwed, they didn't prepare me for it at all, and I was so behind!

It'd depend on the school. The ones around us don't have a great reputation but they're trying to be a solution for schools that have a lot of problems. They seem to be running into the same problems though. If public school didn't work out at least where we are now we'd go for private.

@sorrycharlie: wow that is crazy - here it is 10 mins of homework per grade so 10 in 1st, 20 in 2nd, etc

We do public - one reason we moved here -excellent schools!

You're not by chance in Hartford, are you? I know they have some really good charters downtown...they're actually a whole district of them.

Yes, we are, particularly if we stay in the district we're currently in. This district is terrible, and charters are one of the only ways that it's digging itself back out. There's just so much pressure on the local schools, and so little support. Some of the charters around here offer a great alternative. I support them!

@Anagram: We moved across the river (two rivers actually).

I'm not, but I agree with you that the length of school day plus the homework situation would give me pause.

No. I am strongly opposed to charter schools and the ones in our area are also not impressive. We will send our kids to public school and supplement at home and with educational activities on our own dime.