Finding the Child’s Perfect Fit: A Principal's Guide to School Selection

Insights From 33 Years in Education and Experience in Both Public and Private Systems.

I realize this is a busy time of year with another school year winding down and preparing for a much-anticipated summer vacation. I also know that many parents are looking into the future and might have questions on which school setting may be the most appropriate for their child.

As a parent and an educational leader with over three decades of experience across public and private schools, I've guided thousands of families through one of their most important decisions. After spending 23 years in public schools and 10 years in private schools, and raising my children, I gained a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the many options parents have to educate their children today. My two children had two different paths in their educational journeys, and I am proud that they were well prepared for young adulthood and found their career destinations. My wife and I were able to do what was best for each of my children, since they had different needs. 

In this blog, I hope to give you an understanding of your options for your child and what factors should go into the decision on what school is best for your child. I will do my best to address all the options you have.

The Evolution of School Choice in America

By 1647, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was the first colony to pass a compulsory literacy law for all children. The Colony passed a law requiring towns with more than 50 families to hire a teacher and towns with more than 100 families to establish a school. In 1852 in Massachusetts, passed the first compulsory education law in the United States. This law required cities and towns within the state to provide primary schools. By 1920, all states had compulsory attendance laws.

Compulsory education in the US today may vary by state, but it is generally between the ages of 5 to 18. In some states, attendance requirements begin at age 6 and in Arkansas, compulsory education ends at age 17. Compulsory education is divided into three levels: elementary, middle (or junior high), and high school. Today, parents have many options ranging from governmental public, state-certified private, or home-schooled programs. While having an option is fantastic, the reality is these options also cause us great anxiety as we question: "Am I doing what is best for my child?" What is also overwhelming is sifting through the US Census data (2022), where of the 54 million US children, 84% attend public school, 12% attend private, and approximately 4% were homeschooled. Today the growing trend is more students are being homeschooled which in 2024 increased to 6.73%.

Today's Educational Landscape: Understanding Your Options

One of my biggest challenges as a parent was FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out. I fell victim to listening to all the parents at the ballpark and at the neighborhood pool, talking about why their child's school was the best or complaining about the school their child attended. I fell into the trap several times asking myself, "Are we doing what's best for our children?"

The good news is that today, parents have more choices than ever before and if you stay focused on what's best for your child, you will ensure your child is in the best school setting for him or her to be successful. In this section I will lay out the most common types of school options followed by how to choose the appropriate school for your child. The description of each option is a general overview, and I recognize that there can always be an exception. For example, public schools typically have larger class sizes than private schools, however; if your child is taking Advanced Placement classes, the school may try to keep the class sizes under 17 students.

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Public schools are the most common form of education in the US, funded by your local, state, and federal taxes. School districts must comply with following government directives for curriculum and student ratios in order to receive the funding. Students typically attend the public school that is in the closest proximity to their residence and schools are part of the community. Some public-school systems may allow you to attend a school that is not the school your child is zoned for, typically for a program or service. Public schools provide a free appropriate education for all children and represent the diversity of its community. Public schools also have the benefits of a wide range of academic courses and extra-curricular activities as well as a transparency of how school funds are used. Public schools have accountability to follow their state's curriculum and testing mandates.

Public schools also offer some flexibility through:

• On-line learning platforms at a traditional school or Charter or Magnet,

• Charter schools, which are publicly funded but operate independently of the traditional school system. They often have an approach that separates them from the traditional public school due to a focus on STEM, language immersion, or Montessori methods.

• Magnet schools, which are public schools with a specialized program area like science, performing arts, or international studies.

PRIVATE SCHOOL

Private schools operate independently of government funding and have flexibility of the academic standards, curriculum, class sizes and assessments that are used. Many private schools have a religious affiliation or are tied to a specific academic focus or artistic discipline. Private schools often offer smaller class sizes with an attempt to have a more personalized approach to learning. Whereas public schools are open to all students in an attendance zone, private schools can be selective in their admissions process. Attendance at private schools carry tuition, as well as other fees for materials and supplies. Since private schools are not funded by the government, all personnel and operating expenses are covered by tuition, fees, and fundraising.

Some private schools have provided a hybrid model, which encompasses the advantages of private school and home schooling.

HOME SCHOOLING

Homeschooling allows parents to educate their children at home, designing lessons to their child's individual needs and interests. Parents have the option of designing their own curriculum or following the state-approved curriculum. The homeschool curriculum must be approved by the state. The biggest benefit of homeschooling is protecting the family connection and having the authority of the content your child is receiving.

What Factors are the Most Important in Choosing my Child's School?

The census data from 2022 shows that most parents send their children to the neighborhood public school. Since public schools were originally designed to be "community schools", the expectation was that the school would teach the curriculum, skills, and morals that represented the values of the community. Parents would choose the community that aligned with their values, and their children would attend the school within that community. While most parents send their child to the local public school, there are occasions and situations where other options may serve your child and your family values better.

When my son turned 4, my wife and I did not want him to be in the state-funded, full-day program, so we found a private half-day pre-K that helped protect our family time. Throughout my child's education, having him in a school where our family values would not be jeopardized was important. It was important for my child's school to have:

1. Teachers who were certified

2. Programs that would meet his strengths and interests

3. A variety of athletic offerings

4. Opportunities for parents to volunteer

5. Transportation to and from school

In addition to our values, cost was a factor, like it is for most parents. My taxes paid for my child's public education throughout high school, and I could use my money to fund programs that complemented my child's education, like music and tennis lessons. Some parents choose to send their child to private schools where they offer programs or curriculum that the public school does not offer, or they choose to have the program as part of their child's education. If you want your child to attend a school that teaches academics and tennis, or you want your child to receive a religious education, then there is a school for your child.

Strategic Timing: When to Consider a School Change

Moving your child to a new school is often not ideal, no matter what grade the change occurs. However, if your child is in a crisis or a situation where the school cannot meet your child's academic or emotional needs, even after you attempt to advocate for the support your child needs, then there may be a time to seek out another school, regardless of grade. However, there are certain grades that are the best times for transitioning your child to a new school.

1st grade: No matter where your child went to Pre-K or Kindergarten, 1st grade is a pivotal start to elementary school. The curriculum is structured and well-planned for the elementary years. Student evaluations are easily passed along from grade level to grade level. In first grade, friendships are formed that build a good foundation for the remaining years in elementary school.

7th Grade: 7th grade is typically the beginning of middle school or a junior high school, which often goes from 7th to 9th grades. Middle school years are the formative years where students go through a lot of physical and emotional change. Friendships become more important, and your child will be introduced to courses to prepare your child for high school. Most middle schools provide students the opportunity to take courses for high school credit.

9th Grade: The beginning year of high school is a pivotal year to make a change in school placement. This is usually the biggest year when students change schools. Typically, students would experience a new school building from 8th to 9th grade, so there would be a change anyway. There's a good chance that most high schools offer some sort of new student program for new students in 9th grade. For athletics, all 9th-grade students are eligible, whereas in the later grades, there may be an eligibility issue with switching schools.

One note that I hope will take some pressure off you: your child will handle any transition and be much more resilient, adaptable, and flexible than you. As my first child grew older, his needs and the needs of our family changed, so he went to several different schools in elementary and middle school and changed high schools in 10th grade when I was assigned the principal to open a new school. Each transition was a great opportunity to take new courses and make new friendships.

My daughter went from a full-time elementary school day to a hybrid school day in middle school as her time on the tennis court increased. My children had different needs, and there were schools that were the perfect fit. Both my children turned out better than fine!

Parting Wisdom for Your Decision:

• There's no perfect school for every child—only the perfect school for YOUR child

• Consider your family values first when selecting a school

• Timing transitions strategically can make school changes smoother

• Children are remarkably resilient and adaptable when faced with educational changes

• Different educational paths can all lead to successful outcomes

If you'd like personalized guidance for your family's educational journey, I'm here to help. Contact me at Ed@SpurkaEdInstitute.com to discuss your child's specific needs and educational options.

With joy in education,

Dr. Edward J. Spurka

"Supporting teachers today shapes tomorrow's leaders."