Whether your child is entering preschool, elementary, middle school, or high school, you want to be sure to find the right fit your child and your family. Along with your neighborhood public schools and private schools, charter schools are another strong option to consider for your child’s educational path.
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently of traditional school districts. They are free to choose their own curriculum, teaching methods, and staffing. This flexibility allows charter schools to innovate and offer a variety of educational programs that are not always available in traditional public schools.
From a parent's perspective, charter schools offer a number of benefits. Here are some specific ways in which charter schools can benefit your family.
- Charter schools provide parents with more choices in their child's education. If a parent is not satisfied with the traditional public school in their neighborhood, they can choose a charter school that is a better fit for their child's or family’s needs. While private schools may also be an option, they come with a private school price tag. Charter schools, on the other hand, are tuition free.
- Because charter schools can be selective about their enrollment numbers, they typically have small class sizes with lower student-to-faculty ratios. Smaller classes give teachers more time and opportunity to connect with each student and understand their unique needs. Teachers can give more attention to each student and help them to reach their full potential. It’s often easier for students to bond with their teacher and with each other in a smaller classroom setting.
- Charter schools can make independent choices when it comes to curriculum and educational programming. Charter schools are free to experiment with different teaching methods and technologies, and they are held to high academic standards since they must meet or exceed academic expectations in order to have their charter renewed. This means that students are challenged to learn and achieve at a higher level.
- Charter schools often place a strong focus on character development, teaching students important values such as respect, responsibility, and hard work. Many charter schools choose to weave social/emotional curriculums like the 7 Mindsets into the school and classroom experience daily, reminding students to be accountable, take ownership, and have a positive attitude in the classroom, lunchroom, hallway, and recess. This creates a culture of respect and positivity that sets many charter schools apart.
- Charter schools often have a strong focus on parental involvement and family connections. Parents are encouraged to volunteer their time and support the school. This parental involvement can help to create a more positive and supportive learning environment for students. There is a strong sense of community and connection at charter schools, as each family is choosing this school for their child’s educational journey.
If you’re seeking a school with a strong sense of community, where parents, teachers, and administrators work together to support student learning, a charter school may be a great fit for your family.
Aspen Ridge Preparatory School is a K-8 public charter school with a private preschool program in Erie, Colorado, that offers all of the benefits noted above. With small class sizes, highly skilled teachers, and content-rich curriculum, ARPS students have daily opportunities to build confidence, academic success, and positive character traits.
Learn more about this tuition-free charter school and its community of learners and future leaders by visiting aspenridgeprepschool.org, or by scheduling a tour! (Link to our tour signup page HERE.)
