Alternatives to Public Schooling
There are many options to local public schools for parents who are looking for something different. Many of these options are free or low-cost and can offer excellent educational opportunities.
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Charter Schools
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A charter school is a publicly funded school of choice, often started by parents and community members who have a specific vision for their school, and want to offer an educational choice otherwise not available in their area. Charter schools are tuition-free and open to anyone, regardless of what district they live in.
Homeschooling
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Teaching a child at home is another viable option. Homeschooling is legal, and the homeschooling community has grown exponentially in the last 30 years. Most areas have active homeschool groups where parents can find help and support. You are not required to have a teaching license to homeschool, but students do need to take the mandatory state tests just like their public school counterparts.
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Private School
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A private school is funded mainly through tuition and donations. Private schools have more autonomy than public schools and may have specific entry requirements, focus on specific educational ideas and have high academic and behavioral requirements. Sometimes a private school may be affiliated with another entity, such as a church or business organization.
Parochial School
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A parochial school is a private school that is affiliated with a religious organization and focuses on religious instruction. Parochial schools often have stricter behavioral and academic guidelines and a more rigorous curriculum. Attending a parochial school usually requires an agreement to adhere to the standards of the school, and students must pay tuition.
Online Education
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Many high schools offer online courses as a supplement to their regular classes. Also, virtual schools offer full curricula as a supplement for homeschoolers or to be used as the main instructional tool. Community colleges and universities sometimes offer high school completion programs over the Internet as well.
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