January 20-26 is National School Choice Week in Virginia. These choices include. . .
Traditional Public Schools: are operated by school districts, free to attend, open to all students and funded by taxpayers. Some states allow parents to send their children to any public school, regardless of where it is located. This is called “Open Enrollment.”
*In Virginia each district decides whether it will participate in “open enrollment!
Charter Schools: are tuition-free public schools, that are allowed the freedom to innovate while being held accountable for student achievement. Sometimes they are run by districts, at other times they are run by nonprofits, organizations, colleges and universities or even state and local governments.
*Parents can choose from several charter schools throughout the state!
Magnet Schools: Public magnet schools are public schools free to attend, funded by taxpayers. Public magnet schools are permitted in all 50 states and focus on specific themes as math, science, technology or the performing arts.
Private Schools: are non-public schools that charge tuition. Some private schools are faith-based while others are non-sectarian. Effective in 2018, the Federal Government now allows parents to save for k-12 private school tuition using tax-preferred 529 savings accounts. Some states also offer state-authorized scholarship programs or education savings accounts to assist parents with tuition, in addition to privately-available scholarships or tuition assistance.
*A publicly run scholarship program is available to Virginia families under a certain income level and if students have special needs. Privately run programs may also be available.
Online Learning: There are two types of online learning: online academies and course access. Virtual academics instruct students through online or digital classes. Most of these schools are public, free to attend and funded by taxpayers. Course access allows parents to combine public online learning with home-schooling or private education.
*Virginia students in middle and high school can take online classes full-time or part-time. Tuition is covered by the public or private school in which the student is enrolled, or the parents if the student is home schooled!
Home Education: Homeschooling is the process of parents educating students at home and is permitted in all 50 states! Many home school families choose to participate in curriculum sharing groups, online learning activities, or cooperatives to enhance their home education.
