Factors to Consider in Picking a School For Your Child

"Fall is a grueling time of year for some families, as many start to consider where their child will go to school the following year. A lot of families opt for the school they are zoned or assigned to, but others, depending on their district or personal preferences, may consider different public, charter or private schools. Many schools, public or private, start their application process in the fall. About two years ago, I was one of those parents."

"Our school district, like a growing number of others, allows families to enter lotteries to attend traditional public schools outside of their neighborhood or take entrance exams for specialty or magnet schools that offer a different style of education or a different curriculum. This is on top of charter schools and private schools, which usually have a separate application process. After applying in the fall, initial decisions came in the spring, and we found ourselves on multiple waiting lists."

Fall triggers school application season for many families deciding where their child will attend the following year. Some families choose their zoned neighborhood school while others apply to different public, charter, or private schools. Many schools open applications in the fall. One family applied to five public schools, including two charter schools. The district permits lotteries for non-neighborhood public schools and entrance exams for specialty or magnet programs. Charter and private schools usually require separate applications. Initial decisions arrive in spring and often place applicants on multiple waiting lists. After about a month the family received a public-school offer and then faced a deadline-driven decision.

Read at www.scientificamerican.com