Anonymous said...
I am the parent of a 4 year old son who is currently attending pre-k and will be attending kindergarten this September. My husband and I have been searching high and low for a school that is the right fit for our son. We would like him to be in an atmosphere where he is getting the best education offered as well as in an environment where he can be himself (a child). What we are finding so far (which is just from speaking with staff and parent's) is that education wise the charter schools surpass the other schools but we are a little leary because they seem to be a lot more militant. Don't get me wrong structure is great but boot camp is not! We would like our son's school experience to be one that he enjoys and learns a great deal from.
Does any parent who has children in Charter schools have any advice/comments?
As you have surely figured out by now, I am the parent of two charter school students. I am in total agreement with you that your son's early school experience is one that should inspire a life long love of learning not an environment where all semblance of fun is dashed away in favor of drills and regimented activity. I will begin by saying that all charter schools are not created equally and I encourage you to visit any and all charter (and non-charter) schools that you may be considering sending your son to. Only you know your child and what type of environment may be a good fit for him. I also firmly believe in checking the track record of student achievement at any school that you may be considering. I find it hard to believe that failing or poor performing schools will turn their success rate around in the space of a school year and a year in the academic life a young child is way too important to sacrifice for a poorly thought out choice.
My experiences with the Harlem Success Academy have been outstanding! I love the disciplined environment where negative behavior is curbed immediately so that real learning can take place. Children are expected to listen attentively and respectfully when others are speaking and raise their hands when they want a turn. Hallways and classrooms are kept tidy not by punishing children or shaming them into cooperation but by instilling a sense of cooperative responsibility for shared space. Negative behaviors are met with real world consequences such as loss of rewards or short spells spent away from the main core of the student group which is usually engaged in a fun and interactive learning activity. Classrooms are bright and engaging and active thinking, group discussion and participation are encouraged. Science is offered 5 days a week beginning in Kindergarten and every science lesson is hands-on with children participating in experiments followed up with discussions about their observations. All children participate in "specials" classes which include chess, art and music where once again they are engaged in fun activities while learning to play chess, an instrument or creating amazing works of art.
As far as boot camp... if that is what some choose to refer to it as, then my children wake me up at 5:30 every weekday morning from August to June and eagerly subject themselves to it! Most of the scholars are unhappy about not seeing their friends and teachers on weekends and during the summer break. Yes, there is a level of indoctrination. HSA students (and their families) will refer to themselves as scholars and recite their college and anticipated year of graduation without being asked. They will also interject when they observe you not adhering to the school's ACTION values which include Agency, Curiosity, Try and Try, Integrity, Others and No shortcuts. I have also been subjected to verse after verse of school songs and cheers that are unique to each school location. My kids are extremely pushy when it comes to reading to them and ensure that I do so whether or not I want to, as parents are also required to complete reading logs of books read to their scholars. In short, the HSA community is less of a boot camp and more of a way of life. HSA happens to be aligned with things that I value and find agreeable. Ensure that any school that you choose for your child is a comfortable fit for your family.
