Selecting the best school for your child can be a difficult decision, and it is helpful to begin your search with basic information about your educational options. Think about the qualities in a school that are important to your family and your child’s success. Researching individual schools will help you make an informed decision.
There are resources available to help you in your school search.
School locator
You can find a list of all charter schools in Georgia using the school locator on FindAGaCharter.ORG. The locator will give you the ability to search by search by focus area, grade band, location, and attendance zone
School Website
The best place for current and accurate information about a school is the school’s website where you can find the school’s charter, educational focus, course offerings, academic and enrichment programs, and other information. You will also find information about admissions and enrollment, including the admissions timeline.
Information Sessions and Tours
Many schools offer information sessions and tours. This is the best time to ask questions and learn more about a particular school.
Enrollment Applications & Charter School Lotteries
Charter schools accept applications for enrollment, typically starting in January or February for the next school year. If charter schools receive more applications than they have seats available, they conduct an admissions lottery. Some schools accept students all year long, and others accept new students for a limited period of time. Ensure that you know the school’s admissions calendar.
School Ranking Websites and Informational Guides
School ranking websites and informational guides offer the ability to learn more information about schools. Remember that school guides and reports do not tell the whole story about a school. As a family, decide which factors are most important to you when considering various schools. For example, some school rankings are based only on test scores and other rankings consider different factors. Data for rankings is usually more than a year old, and ranking websites often have paid content.
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is a great way to find out information about schools. Other families in your neighborhood, a faith community, or the local park can tell you about their experiences with different schools and the programs they offer.
School Events
Most schools hold fundraising and community-building events throughout the year, and many are open to the public. Prospective families can attend to learn more about the school community and ask questions to existing families.
Social Media
Follow the social media pages of schools that interest you to learn more and become aware of events and news. Keep in mind that parent social media groups are often closed to the public to protect the privacy of students.
Refer to Multiple Sources
Find a variety of sources for information about a school to have a well-balanced view of the school. If someone expresses a strong opinion about a school, be a discerning consumer and ask for details about what led to that opinion. Often, a student leaves a school because it is not a good fit for the child’s strengths and weaknesses. Choosing a school is a very personal decision, and only you know what is best for your child.
All public schools must adhere to Georgia’s Standards of Excellence, meaning that all public schools must present the same course content for each grade level. However, schools may deliver the content in different ways and offer supplemental content or programming.
Charter schools must offer a unique or innovative educational approach. Because most charter schools offer specific educational programs, it is important that you understand the program and what it means for your child. The best place to find this information is to visit the school’s website, attend informational sessions, and/or email or call the school.
Charter schools may or may not offer bus transportation. Those that provide school bus transportation often pick up and drop off in central locations. Some charter schools are unable to provide bus transportation, and parents carpool or use private vanpool services. Carefully consider if you can travel to and from the school every day on time. Also, the location may impact your child’s ability to participate in afterschool and extracurricular activities. Many schools’ parent organizations help connect parents for carpooling and private services. When neighboring children attend the same school, families can share transportation responsibilities and plan social gatherings outside of the school day more easily. Schools may have transportation resources available if you ask.
Three state charter schools offer full-time, tuition-free virtual education options. The three virtual schools offer all classes online and provide students with necessary technology resources to learn from their homes. They also offer some in-person experiences.
All students in Georgia can also take courses through the Georgia Virtual School, and many school districts offer virtual school options.
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The Georgia Strategic Charter School Growth Initiative supports the expansion, replication, or creation of high-quality public charter schools in communities throughout the state.
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