As a parent who’s experienced the life-changing impact of sending my children to a cyber charter school, I applaud the efforts during National School Choice Week, Jan. 21-27. I encourage parents to learn about the different types of educational options open to you. Then look closely at your children, consider what you’ve learned and ask yourself, “Would their lives be enriched by a different course of education?”
A few years ago, our family’s answer was “yes.” For my daughter, a gifted student, her experiences in private and public brick-and-mortar schools, plus “online” versions, were debilitating. Bullying, intense anxiety and the solution of “giving her more work” to satisfy her need for advanced learning halted her educational journey. My autistic son experienced intense bullying in public brick-and-mortar school plus an unproductive learning approach to give him “busy work” beneath his capabilities.
Today, Lily excels at Mercy School of Nursing after graduating six months early, and Abraham is thriving as an 11th grader. Thanks to their school’s educational excellence and unique support, they have grown academically, emotionally and socially.
We owe it to ourselves and children to understand and exercise our ability to choose the best school for our families.
Anna Matuszewski
Bethel Park