5 Benefits of School Choice

Every child is different, which means that every child has different educational needs. That’s why school choice is so important and why we’re a huge proponent of it at Options Schools. In fact, without school choice in Indiana, we would not be able to offer all that we do. Interested in learning more about school choice and how it benefits our community? We’ve outlined some helpful information for you.

If you are looking for a free, public alternative to traditional education that is designed to help your student succeed, contact Options Schools in Noblesville & Westfield, IN, today!

What is School Choice?

School choice is an initiative that has gained traction over the years. Simply put, it allows parents to choose from different educational options that best suit their children’s needs. Every child deserves to learn in an environment that challenges, inspires, and supports them–and the fact of the matter is, that looks different for everyone. School choice is the process that allows families to make that decision for themselves.

School Choice Allows Parents to Choose Between:

• Traditional public school
• Charter school (Public / Private)
• Public magnet school
• Private school
• Home school
• Online school
• And more!

Benefits of School Choice

School choice provides endless advantages to students and their families. Here are just a few:

1. You Get Options

While it seems self-explanatory, we’d be remiss not to mention the benefits of having options. Many people believe that due to their financial situation, location, or other factors, their children are set on one path. Because of school choice, you aren’t stuck having to make the best of a less-than ideal situation. It allows families to choose between traditional and nontraditional schooling options regardless of finances or location. The freedom of getting to carve your own path for your children is something every parent could hope for.

2. Higher Graduation Rates

When students are placed in an environment that allows them to thrive, success closely follows. Traditional school curriculums are not catered to children who need different types of support in the classroom. Thus, graduation rates are not reflective of a student’s overall success. Many times, low graduation rates are due to a lack of support system or students’ needs not being met in the classroom. The traditional school model is a one-size-fits-all approach, and this is just not conducive to overall success.

In a nontraditional setting like a charter school, students are able to learn from a curriculum that reflects their interests and strengths. Our Advanced Learning Center at Options Schools gives our students the opportunity to earn college credit or learn a trade while attending high school–some of our students have even earned enough credits to obtain an Associate’s Degree by the time they graduate high school! Learn more about our ALC here.

3. More Opportunities for Lower-Income Families

School choice was built on the belief that every student deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Exercising school choice means that a student’s access to high-quality education is not dependent on their financial status or location of residence.

4. Sense of Safety

With growing amounts of violence taking place in schools, it’s no question that school safety is one of the main reasons that parents exercise school choice. Additionally, school choice can help students escape instances of bullying or other situations of physical and emotional violence.

5. Your Student Gets Put First

The school is better able to teach toward their students’ individual strengths and interests. You’ll typically also see smaller teacher-to-student ratios, which allows for more personalized attention and support. No matter what type of educational setting is right for your child, you can be sure that having school choice allows their needs to come first.

Choose Options Schools

At Options Schools, we know that traditional school settings are not for everyone. We offer smaller class sizes, hands-on learning opportunities, and a strong support system designed to help every student succeed. Sound like a place your student would thrive? We think so too. Apply here today!

Founded in 2002 and serving grade 6-12 students in 134 school districts across Indiana, Options Schools specializes in providing students with an inclusive environment, unparalleled support, and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1.

If you are in the central Indiana area and looking for a campus program suited to your student, or an online program serving Hoosiers throughout Indiana, contact Options Schools today. We can’t wait to have you join our family!