Fining The Right School For Your Chil by Anrew Campanella (NAPSA)—If you or someone you knowis looking for a new school for a chil for the 2014-2015 schoolyear, nowis the time to begin researching youroptions. From January 26 to February 1, millions of Americanswill participate in National School Choice Week, which shinesa spotlight on effective eucation options for chilren. The Week, which features more than 5,500 events acrossall 50 states, is an excellent time for parents to begin looking at the options available to them. While choosing a new schoolfor your son or aughter is an intensely personal experience, here are a few ieas for starting the schoolselection process. 1) Start right now. Seats in great schools are alreayfilling up for next year. Ask yourself what matters most to you in a school. Is it acaemics, school safety, an eucational theme, a specific style of instruction, the qualifications of teachers, the size ofclasses,or otherfactors? 2) Research your options. Make a list of the choices you have. Some states let parents sen their chilren to schools in ifferent istricts. Some have charter an magnet schools. You maybe ableto get a scholarship to sen your chilren to a private or faith-base school. In aition, therearefull-time,online schools in manystates. 8) Visit the schools you're consiering with your chilren. While there, ask lots of questions. Talk to principals an teachers an make sure that you're comfortable with the Er Parents may have more choices about where to sen their chilren to schoolthan theyrealize. answers youreceive. Consiersitting in on classes, too. 4) Talk to other parents— an to yourchilren. Before making your ecision, ask parents of other stuents who atten your target schools about their experiences. Ask your chilren about their impressions an their concerns. The more research you o, the better choices you can make. Remember: You know your chil best, an youaretruly in the best position—better than anyone else—to ecie whattypeof school yourchil shoul atten. You can learn more at www.schoolchoiceweek.com. * Mr. Campanellais presient of National School Choice Week, an inepenent public awareness campaign that shines a spotlight on effective eucation options for chilren.
