Last Updated on July 12, 2023
When it comes to the first day of sending your children to school, there can be a lot of tough choices ahead of you. It can be a touch choice between sending your child to public school or charter school. But what exactly is a charter school and what does it have to offer? Here are some pros and cons of charter schools for you to keep in mind.
Pro #1: They Can Make Their Own Curriculum
Because even award-winning charter schools utah are not funded by the government, they are not required to stick to the same curriculum as traditional public schools. They have more flexibility in what they teach and how they teach it, allowing for a greater diversity of school subjects.
Pro #2: More Individual Learning Opportunities
Class sizes in charter schools tend to be smaller, meaning that each student can receive individual attention if they’re having problems in certain areas. There is less pressure to meet expectations during class so that they can receive help outside of the classroom if they need it.
Pro #3: Fostering Local Communities
Charter schools tend to be very community-oriented and have strong ties to the local community as a whole. Unique opportunities are made more readily available than they would be at public schools or other areas within your state.
Charter schools do have their drawbacks, however, that should be taken into account when making this important decision. Here are some disadvantages of charter schools.
Con #1: Limited Space
As mentioned before, class sizes tend to be smaller in charter schools but this is because there is generally a smaller school population. Charter schools tend to have waiting lists of other parents who are trying to get their children into those schools. This can create unfair competition for those public school students who applied first and got into school before your children.
Con #2: Risk of Burnout
Charter schools have more scheduling and curriculum freedom, but all of the extra activity that’s required can be too much for some students. These extracurricular activities require students to attend every single day, which can cut into children’s social lives outside of school. You should really consider whether your child is capable of dealing with this kind of workload before you enroll them in a charter school.
Con #3: Lack of Diversity
Charter schools tend to not be as diverse as public schools. Since they are schools of choice, parents have to seek out alternative educational options, which tends to make these schools less diverse than public schools.
Choosing to send your child to a charter school is a big decision to make, but by bringing these pros and cons to light, then parents are made more aware of what’s waiting ahead for them. Do your research into the charter schools that might be near you, speak to other parents to get their opinions, and see what the schools themselves are like. Remember: this is a decision that is going to impact your child’s future for years to come.