WORDS BY SARAH MCCOSHAM
SWITCHING SCHOOLS:
When is It a Good Idea? TIPS FOR MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR FAMILY.
T
he pandemic has brought a host of changes to life as we know it, including to the way schools will run in the fall. For families on the fence about the upcoming school year, know you’re not alone. While there are many reasons for switching schools, the pandemic — and how your child’s school is responding — is most likely topping your list of concerns. Read on for a preview at the changes students and parents might see when they head back to school this fall, factors to consider when switching schools — and whether that decision is worth the effort.
Why switch? Bullying, academic boredom or a child who starts to fall in with the “wrong” crowd are all reasons for switching schools. Further complicating matters, COVID-19 is adding extra anxiety in an uneasy time for families with school-aged children. “It’s important in this climate to have options,” says Kyle Beauchamp, chief academic officer at Paramount Schools of Excellence in Indianapolis. “When deciding on the best options for their child, parents might want to consider how
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flexible their current school is. This pandemic has been, and continues to be, unpredictable.” If you’d been thinking of making a change before the pandemic hit, switching from public to private schools is an option worth exploring, as many private schools offer lower class sizes and more creative learning options. Of course, before you make a change, talk to your child about why they are unhappy at their current school and consider how they will adjust to a new environment. If appropriate, talk to your child’s school or district candidly and find out what opportunities may exist within the current structure. There may be a program or school available that families have not considered, especially looking ahead to the upcoming academic year.
School during COVID-19 We’re living in extraordinary times, and frankly, it’s scary. Now for some good news: Right now, parents have an incredible chance to essentially customize their child’s education. If you’ve been unhappy with a particular aspect of school or have been considering switching schools, the 2020-21 school year presents an unprecedented opportunity.
