8 June 2 - 15, 2007
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
School choices from Page 6
“A private school has the freedom to be completely As the number of homeschooling families has visit. Friends and family members who are teachers or
mission driven in religion, student-to-teacher increased, so has the available support. Fully- those with school-age children are good resources.
ratio, curriculum emphasis,” says Marie Wilson, developed curriculum options, support groups for Third, make a decision, then see how it goes. Once
administrator of Chandler Christian School. “We are parents and kids in the community and online, and a school is selected, give it a chance. Partner with
proud to offer an excellent education in a Christian organized enrichment programs provide structure teachers to work toward the best possible experience.
environment. Christ is the center of our school day. and socialization. At the same time, homeschooling Develop a great homeschool program for kids and
We keep our class sizes small so students can get the takes a signifi cant commitment of time and energy, enjoy the process.
academic and spiritual training they need to become and might not work for all families. But Schermann But, with all the choices available in Arizona, parents
lifelong learners.” believes it’s worth the sacrifi ces. and students are never really stuck. If a few months
Private schools run the gamut from boarding “It creates a lot of freedom and fl exibility for the into the school year things are not going well, begin to
schools and preparatory academies to religiously parent and child,” she says. “Not only am I their mom, seek out a better fi t.
affi liated schools. Parents will have a long list of Valley but I have been their teacher, mentor, counselor, “One size doesn’t fi t all,” concludes Locke. “It’s
private schools from which to choose if they don’t character advisor and friend. To be able to spend this important that families fi nd the right match for their
mind providing transportation and often times paying time with my children and deepen our relationships is children.”
a pricey tuition bill yearly. a fantastic strength.”
“The cost involved can be a negative,” admits
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer and lives with her husband
Wilson. “Many families sacrifi ce much to be able to Making the right school choice
and two boys in Cooper Commons, where her oldest attends
Hull Elementary, a public school. She can be reached at
send their children to the school of their choice.” Experts offer several tips to aid families in selecting
Natalie@SanTanSun.com.
Scholarships are available directly through most the right school.
private schools, and determined parents can fi nd First, make a list of “must haves.” Simple as it
numerous sources for additional funding options. sounds, putting thoughts down on paper can be
Often the school itself is the best resource for direction a great process for clarifi cation. Consider whether
School choice info online
and ideas for fundraising. the child works best in a structured environment
or with a little freedom. Think about the child’s
www.greatschools.net: A top-rated site for comparing
Homeschooling gains popularity interests, strengths, personality and learning style.
information on public, charter and private schools, plus
Homeschooling involves the education of a child Be real about any possible issues, like the lack of time articles and exercises on school choice.
at home, typically by parents or grandparents. Once for homeschooling, fi nancial resources for private
www.azed.gov: The Arizona Department of Education’s
considered a fringe choice, homeschooling has school, or a child with special needs who might need
site contains “report cards” for public and charter schools,
emerged in the past decade as a legitimate option for additional support.
information about standards, and a sample AIMS test.
a growing number of Arizona parents, according to “Parents should look for schools that complement
www.hena.us: Home Education Network of Arizona’s
the National Home Education Research Institute. family goals and philosophies. Each child’s academic,
site for parents considering homeschooling.
“Homeschooling is different from other education social and spiritual level should also be considered in
options because it can be taught by a parent or decision making,” states Wilson.
www.homeschooling.about.com: For researching
caregiver, who has possibly more direct interest for Second, ask questions and collect as much
what it means to homeschool and how to get started.
their child’s wellbeing,” states Monique Schermann, a information as possible to narrow down the choices.
www.privateschoolreview.com: Free, detailed
Pinelake resident who homeschools her two children. That might mean digging through homeschooling
profi les of private schools in Chandler and beyond. Offers
“It is usually much more one-on-one and this gives websites, talking to neighbors whose children attend
side-by-side comparison tool.
the child much more individual attention and time.” the local school or calling a private school to arrange a
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72