Kelly Johnson is an Instructor and Early Childhood Education Liaison for Penn State's Curriculum and Instruction Field Experiences program and Project Manager for Smart Start.   

I am considering the options for Kindergarten for my child. How can I decide whether a regular public, charter, private, or cyber school is the best option?

School choice has become an important topic for many parents. The first step in choosing is to know what's available. Next, define priorities for your child's education based on your family values and needs and your child's interests, abilities, and personality. Finally, research your options with the goal of finding the best match for your child and your family. Some ways to do research are meeting with school administrators and teachers, reading websites and materials, talking to other parents, having a tour, and observing a classroom.

Most children attend their neighborhood public school, operated by their school district. Public schools are free (funded by local and state tax dollars) and offer all grade levels. Public schools are required to provide support services for children with special needs. Some districts allow parents to choose another public school within the district instead of their neighborhood school.

Charter schools are free and funded by taxpayers; they are operated by another entity and are approved by a school district. Centre County has four charter schools; each has a different educational focus and limited grade levels. Priority is given to children within State College Area SD, but there may be spaces for others. Transportation may be provided based on location. Parents may choose charter schools because of their specialized focus, such as science, foreign languages, or small class size.

Private schools are funded by parent tuition and/or private donations. In Centre County, we have Christian, Catholic, and Quaker schools. They usually serve children from any school district and may provide transportation and financial assistance. Parents often choose private schools because the religious values of the school appeal to their family.

Cyber charter schools are free, tax-funded, and approved by the PA Department of Education. Children learn online, and computers and materials are provided. A list of cyber schools in PA is on the Department of Education website under Programs. All four school districts in Centre County offer their own cyber option for their students. Some parents choose cyber schools for flexibility or a child who is sick or doesn't learn well in a traditional classroom.  

Some parents choose to home school so they can individualize learning or implement a specific curriculum. Homeschoolers must register with their local school district and document their curriculum and academic progress. Private Tutoring is an option wherein parents pay someone to educate their child at home. More information about these choices is available on the DPE website under Programs.

There will be a unique opportunity to learn more on April 4 at a School Choices Forum at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College. For details or to register, visit www.eplc.org. If you put time into defining your priorities and researching your options, you can make a confident choice among many outstanding education opportunities in Centre County.