From the moment one decides to have children, the questions begin. How should they be raised, disciplined and educated? Options abound in the Indianapolis area for quality education, but when the time arrives to send your young ones off to school, should you go with a public or private education? According to a 2009 GreatSchools.com and Harris Interactive poll, nearly one in four parents are currently considering switching their child’s school either from private to public or public to private as a result of the economy. It’s a personal decision that shouldn’t be made based on generalizations. Many factors, of course, must be considered when making this very important decision for your child’s future. What are the costs? What are the advantages? What are the challenges? What makes private schools unique? Indianapolis private schools offer a plethora of opportunities for your children at all educational levels. From preschool to pre-college, the qualities of a private education could set your child on a positive path.
Preschool Power The early years of a child’s education will set the course for their educational future. Studies consistently show that children who attend preschool are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.
The International School of Indiana provides a preschool (ages 3 through kindergarten) that is a full-day academic program. Students learn in either French or Spanish in a total immersion setting (meaning that children carry out all of their normal learning activities in the target language, thereby acquiring a new language at the same time as building their early academic and social skills). A Mandarin Chinese program is also offered and is total immersion for three-year olds, and ‘dual’ immersion together with English in grades pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. The curriculum includes numerical and literacy skills, world discovery, physical education, social and emotional development and the arts. Traders Point Christian Academy offers a Christian-based education for children from preschool through grade 12 with a mission to “challenge and educate students within the framework of a Biblical world view while leading them to a personal faith and transformed life in Jesus Christ.” Their early childhood program for children ages 2 to 5 focuses on the development of age-appropriate academic and social skills in addition to introductions to music, physical education and Bible stories. Children typically enjoy two field trips per year, as well. The Sycamore School encourages curiosity, experimentation and exploration for young, gifted children in preschool and kindergarten. Preschool students read and write to the extent of their ability. Reading, writing, and math instruction begin in kindergarten, and children are grouped with others having similar skills. Students receive instruction from specialists in Spanish, art appreciation, music, and physical education in addition to basic computer skills. Park Tudor’s preschool and kindergarten program focuses on helping children make the transition from home to school environments. Children attend full days that feature flexible arrival times, rest and regroup periods, structured activities (physical education, music, and computers), introduction to Spanish, an outdoor nature lab and monthly community field trips. 22 INDY’S CHILD * SEPTEMBER 2010