Public, Charter, or Private? Choosing a school for your children

Choosing a school for your child is a big decision. With public, charter, and private schools all offering different educational experiences, it can be hard to know where to start. The good news is that families on the Monterey Peninsula have a lot of options to consider. Public, charter, and private schools each have their own strengths and offer different approaches to learning. 

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I often think about this in terms of fit. Children have different personalities, interests, strengths, learning styles, and support needs. Families also have different priorities, schedules, resources, and values. Rather than thinking about one type of school as being universally “better,” it can be helpful to think about which environment might be the best fit for your child and your family.

So, what are some of the differences between these options, and what might families want to consider when making their decision?

PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND SUPPORT

For many families, the neighborhood public school is a natural place to begin. Public schools are tuition-free and provide access to education within the local community. California public schools also provide a range of supports and services for eligible students, including special education and related services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Transportation can also be included as a related service when it is determined to be necessary for a student to benefit from special education.

One meaningful benefit of a neighborhood school can be the sense of community that comes from attending school close to home. Children may see classmates at the park, participate in local activities together, and develop friendships with other families who live nearby.

Public schools also bring together students with a wide variety of backgrounds, abilities, interests, and experiences. For some families, that diversity is an important part of their child’s educational experience.

Public schools can also offer access to resources such as school-based counseling, special education services, meal programs, and accessible extracurricular activities. Many public schools also provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. California requires public school districts and charter schools serving TK–12 students to make both meals available free of charge to any student who requests a meal, regardless of family income.

Of course, every public school and district is different. Families may want to look beyond the label “public school” and learn about the specific school their child would attend: What programs are offered? What support services are available? What does the school community feel like? What opportunities are available for parent involvement?

For families who are unsure which school their child would attend, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has a School Finder (www.mpusd.net/school-finder) where families can enter their home address to see which school they are likely assigned to based on their location.

CHARTER SCHOOLS A PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH A DISTINCTIVE APPROACH

Charter schools can sometimes be confusing because they are public schools, but they operate differently from traditional district schools. Charter schools are publicly funded schools of choice and generally cannot charge tuition. They have greater flexibility in how they organize their programs and are often built around a particular educational mission or approach.

This can be especially appealing to families who are looking for a particular educational philosophy but do not want to pay private-school tuition.

The Monterey Peninsula offers several examples.

Monterey Bay Charter School in Pacific Grove is a tuition-free public charter school that uses Waldorf-inspired methods integrated with California state standards. Its approach incorporates artistic expression, social-emotional development, and a relationship with the natural world.

Bay View Academy is another local option. The TK–8 public charter school describes its approach as thematic-based instruction, with multidisciplinary units that connect subjects such as science, social studies, language arts, mathematics, and the arts.

For a child who becomes especially engaged when learning is connected across subjects, or for a family who feels strongly about a particular educational philosophy, a charter school can provide an opportunity to pursue that approach within the public-school system.

Like other public schools, charter schools are required to follow federal and state special education laws. This includes developing and implementing IEPs) for eligible students and providing the services and supports outlined in those plans.

As with any school, it is worth looking closely at the individual program rather than assuming that all charter schools are alike. Their educational models, schedules, family involvement, and school cultures can vary significantly.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS, SMALLER COMMUNITIES, AND DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Private schools offer perhaps the widest range of educational models. Some are built around a particular academic approach, some have religious or values-based foundations, some focus on a specific student population, and others offer extensive opportunities in areas such as athletics, arts, outdoor education, or residential life.

For some students, a smaller school environment can be especially appealing.

Chartwell School in Seaside, for example, is an independent private school serving students in grades 1–12 with specific learning differences, including dyslexia. Chartwell reports a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio and classes of 10 students or fewer, creating an environment designed around individualized learning.

Other families may be drawn to a school’s religious identity or core values. All Saints Day School in Carmel Valley is a private Episcopal school that incorporates religious education while emphasizing the inherent worth of each student, academic excellence, family, community, and service.

For families looking for a school experience that extends beyond the traditional classroom, there are also local private schools with extensive arts, athletics, and residential opportunities. Stevenson School, for example, is an independent Pre-K–12 day and boarding school with campuses in Carmel and Pebble Beach and opportunities spanning academics, arts, athletics, leadership, and residential life. Santa Catalina School offers a coeducational PreK–8 program and a girls’ grades 9–12 day and boarding program.

The variety within private education is important to remember. “Private school” does not describe one particular type of educational experience. It describes a broad collection of schools with unique missions and approaches.

SO, HOW DO YOU CHOOSE?

With all of these possibilities, it can be tempting to start by asking, Which type of school is best? Instead, try starting with your child.

• How does your child learn best? Does your child thrive with hands-on learning, structure, small groups, outdoor experiences, project-based learning, traditional academics, or a combination?

• What support does your child need? Consider academic, social-emotional, sensory, communication, or learning differences. If your child has an IEP,
504 plan, or other support needs, ask specific questions about how those needs are addressed at each school.

• What environment helps your child feel comfortable and connected? A school visit can tell you things that a website cannot. Pay attention to how adults speak to children, how students interact with one another, what the classrooms feel like, and whether the environment seems like a place where your child could be themselves.

• What matters to your family? Educational philosophy, religious or cultural values, location, transportation, schedule, extracurricular opportunities, class size, cost, and community can all be legitimate factors in the decision.

• What is sustainable for your family? A school can be a wonderful fit for a child but still not be a practical fit for the family. Consider commute time, tuition, after-school care, transportation, parent involvement, and the overall rhythm of your family’s life.

And remember that choosing a school is not necessarily a once-and-done decision. Children grow and change, and sometimes their educational needs change with them. A school that is a wonderful fit in kindergarten may not be the same fit in middle school.

For families on the Monterey Peninsula, the abundance of public, charter, and private options is an opportunity to explore: ask questions, visit schools, and pay attention to your child’s individual needs and personality along the way.

Sometimes the best school choice isn’t about finding the “best” school at all. It’s about finding the right fit for your child and your family, right now.