Get Schooled: Understanding the Educational Choices

Navigating the education world isn’t as easy as it used to be. There are so many types of schools available, each with their own philosophy and structure. Private schools in metro Atlanta can be very specialized and each set their own tuition and admissions processes. Even within public school systems, schools can offer different classes and distinct opportunities.

You should speak with other parents who have similar values, visit schools to see if you think your child would be happy, and consider practical things like location and costs. To help make your journey to the right school shorter, here’s a guide to demystify school choice.

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Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools that operate with freedom from many of the local and state regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Functioning as a public school, they are tuition-free and do not have admissions criteria beyond residency. Charter schools are autonomous and allowed to make their own decisions, operating under the terms of a charter, or contract. There are 96 charter schools in Georgia, and during the 2023-24 school year, 64,579 students were enrolled in Georgia public charter schools, according to the Georgia Charter Schools Association.

Charter Systems

Not to be confused with a charter school, a charter system is offered some flexibility from certain state rules and regulations, but school boards must still approve the school’s practices. Charter systems in metro Atlanta: Atlanta Public Schools, Carrollton City Schools, Cartersville City Schools, Decatur City Schools, Fulton County Schools, Gainesville City Schools and Marietta City Schools, according to the Charter System Foundation.

Dual Language Immersion

In Georgia’s dual language programs, students spend at least half of their school day in the target language and the other half in English in order to help students achieve higher proficiency in the second language. Programs across Georgia include immersion in Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

Faith-Based Schools

A faith-based or religious school is a school that identifies with a specific religious group, such as Catholic, Jewish, Protestant or Episcopal. These schools are always private institutions, although not all private schools are religious. You will usually see a school’s religious affiliation listed within its description, and these schools have curricula that include teachings of faith. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in fall 2021, around 4.7 million students were enrolled in private schools, and of those, 1.7 million students were enrolled in Catholic schools, and 2 million students were enrolled in other religious schools.

Homeschool

Homeschool programs allow children to be educated at home. Georgia’s home study law requires homeschool parents/guardians to provide a basic academic educational program which includes mathematics, English/language arts, science, social studies and reading. Parents/guardians decide which curriculum is best for their child, and you must submit a Declaration of Intent by Sept. 1 or within 30 days after a homeschool program begins. The teaching parent or guardian must possess a high school diploma or a state-approved high school equivalency diploma, but you may employ a tutor. Some families group together to form homeschool pods or learning pods.

Hybrid Schools

Hybrid learning or education programs combine virtual learning and in-person classes. Students come into school at least one day a week with a schedule that includes days of remote learning.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools

This educational program offers a continuum of international education for students aged 3-19. Students are empowered to take ownership in their own learning and develop future-ready skills. The four stages of IB learning: Primary Years Programme for ages 3-11; Middle Years Programme for ages 11-16; Diploma Programme for ages 16-19; and Career-related Programme for ages 16-19. It is offered in 97 schools across the state, both public and private.

Magnet Schools/Programs

With magnet education, learning is centered around one main theme. Magnet schools are free public schools operated by school districts allowing kids to focus on a specific learning track. For example, Fulton County Schools offers magnet coursework in 3DE, Accelerated Career Diploma, IB, STEM, STEAM and Visual and Performing Arts.

Montessori Schools

Developed and named for Dr. Maria Montessori, Montessori education is a child-focused approach that is student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed and enriched by teachers. Students are taught in a multiage classroom, and individual students follow their own curiosity at their own pace.

Nature-Based Schools

Nature-based schools have the same academic standards of a traditional school, but nature is at the core of the school’s philosophy, curriculum and classroom design. These schools can be public or private, and are typically focused on the early education years, starting at the preschool level. The natural world is infused into the teaching of every subject, outdoor time is extensive, and activities are based on seasonal happenings.

Private Schools

Private or independent schools are, by nature, schools of choice. Families can choose their child’s learning environment based on matching their family’s worldview, religious values or education philosophy. Private schools set their own admissions standards. There are approximately 830 private schools in Georgia, according to NCES.

Public Schools

Public schools are generally primary or secondary schools that educate all students without charge. They are funded in whole or in part by taxation. There are 181 school districts across the state of Georgia educating approximately 1.7 million students every day.

Reggio Emilia Schools

The Reggio Emilia Approach refers to the early childhood education project originating in Italy. It is based on a poem written by Loris Malaguzzi depicting children as having multiple ways of thinking and doing that needs to be nurtured rather than corrected. The approach values children as active protagonists in their growing processes, and learning occurs within a process of individual and group construction.

Special Education Schools

Special education schools are private and public schools that serve students with special needs. Some focus on multiple needs; others on specific learning differences. These can include communicative, physical and social learning differences like ADHD, autism and hearing impairment. Teachers are educated to meet the specialized learning needs of students. They often have an extensive support staff of guidance counselors, psychologists and social workers.

Virtual Schools

Virtual or online schools are educational programs that are intended to be attended remotely. Schools or academies may be public or private. For example, the Georgia Virtual School is an internet-based public school powered by the Georgia Department of Education that serves public, private and homeschooled students throughout the state.

Waldorf Schools

Waldorf schools offer a developmentally appropriate, experiential and academically rigorous approach to education by integrating the arts in all academic disciplines. Waldorf education aims to inspire life-long learning in all students and to enable them to fully develop their unique capacities. Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf education is based on the insights, teachings and principles of education outlined by philosopher and activist Rudolf Steiner. There are two Waldorf schools in Atlanta: Academe of the Oaks and The Waldorf School of Atlanta.

For more information, visit amshq.org, charter-system.org, gacharters.org, gadoe.org, ibo.org, nces.ed.gov, reggioalliance.org, scsc.georgia.gov and waldorfeducation.org.

What to look for in choosing a school:

Qualified teachers and administration.
Curriculum and learning environment that suits your child.
School culture and values that your family can embrace.
Transportation accessibility and travel time.
Helpful extracurricular options like clubs and after care.
Safety and security.
Engaging opportunities for parent involvement.
Open and informative parent-teacher communication.
Happy, vibrant students.
Class sizes and student-teacher ratios.

Some questions to ask:

What are the admissions requirements and deadlines?
Is testing required for admissions?
Are there financial aid opportunities?
Do you know other families at the school? If not, can you connect with a parent?
Would the class size and activities work for your child?
What after-school activities or clubs are offered?
Are you able to tour the school? What are the vibes of the teachers and classrooms?
What do school expectations look like?
How is discipline handled?
How does the school communicate with parents?
Do the stated learning goals match your ideals?
What are the qualifications of the teachers and administrators?
Is transportation accessible for your family?
Is the school safe and secure?
Are there opportunities for parental involvement?