My children will be starting school in a few weeks. They are both heading to new schools my son off to middle school and my daughter off to high school. They will not be attending their home district schools but will be attending public charters. I am very fortunate that my children had excellent options. Their home district is one of the best in the state and the charter schools are also excellent. I would be pleased if they attended either.

So why did my children choose their schools, how did we leave the home district. Three years ago my daughter entered the lottery to attend the charter middle school. She wanted to attend because it was a smaller school (200) and she could bring her own computer. She did not want to be at a large middle school (500). She made the lottery and enrolled. She had a great experience, loved school and enjoyed the seminars and exploratories that went beyond the state mandated curriculum.

Three years later my son chose to follow her, why because it is where she went. He also liked the idea of using his own computer and all the projects that were done during the course of my daughter’s stay. He could not wait to get his chance to do the same thing. He wants to do the work, he is excited by the prospect.

My daughter now needed to decide on a high school. She decided on the charter high school for a few reasons. The first her dad is a teacher there. She always wanted to attend a school where a parent taught. And the second “because it is hard” it is an IB for all school. Everyone will take IB courses. At our local HS she might not have been able to take AP classes, it was not a guarantee. She entered the lottery and was selected. She is nervous but, looking forward to the start of school. (She is sitting beside me now doing the summer work she was asked to do)

I believe both of my children would have had positive experiences in the district schools but I believe that because they had a choice, they needed to attend to their interests, style and desires. They choose their future and I think therefore are more invested in their learning. They know what to expect and have chosen the challenge. I could not be more proud.