How to Select a Charter School in New York

Selecting the charter school that is right for your student depends on the choices available and what best suits your student's learning style. In New York State, there are several excellent charter schools to choose from. Here is how to select the charter school in New York that is right for your student.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Define your student's learning style. If you have a kinesthetic learner, he may be well suited to a flexible cyber charter school environment which takes the student out of a classroom setting and enables him to explore subjects at his own pace.
2. See what types of brick and mortar chart schools are available in your area. While a cyber charter school is usually available statewide, if you choose a traditional setting then you will need to see what is in your local area. With over 80 charter schools in New York, finding one close by should be easy.
3. Select a short list of potential schools that suit your student. New York's charter schools are sometimes specialized, and they even have a charter school for autistic students. Choosing a short list of two or three potential schools will enable you to look closely at each one.
4. Check the school's rate of graduation, test scores, and number of certified teachers. Although these things are not the only things to look at when selecting a school, this information can give you a good overview of what the school is trying to accomplish for the students.
5. Do an onsite visit. Visit each school on a separate day, devoting the time and energy to the school selection necessary. This also gives you a feel of how the staff likes the school as well.

Tips & Warnings

• New York is home to the KIPP charter schools. These schools have a selection of different schools in different areas, gearing students toward college preparation and other areas.