Where to live and what schools are good

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by littlebug55

Do you know anything about the charter schools in the area? Great Schools has listed some pretty high like Littleton Academy, Cherry Creek Charter, and Platte River Charter.

I honestly don't know anything about them.

[vunderbar]

Originally Posted by littlebug55

Do you know anything about the charter schools in the area? Great Schools has listed some pretty high like Littleton Academy, Cherry Creek Charter, and Platte River Charter.

While I also don't know anything about these specific charters, here are a few of things to look into if you're considering them:

- extra curriculars, sports in particular -- many charters offer limited ECs and sports. That may not matter to you, but it's something to ask about. My son left a charter because it didn't have his sport, and had no plans to add it.

- after school care -- ditto.

- school bus transportation -- ditto

- teacher/admin turnover: in many charters teachers are really underpaid. Some by as much as 30% less than their counterparts in the public schools. Because of that, and because there's usually lots of "political" hubub in schools in general, the turnover among both teachers and administrators can be very high. Which doesn't make for a very stable school environment

- student turnover. Many kids/parents decide that whatever the charter school's orientation is, it isn't necessarily any better than the public. Losing friends can be unsettling to students.

[littlebug55]

Originally Posted by vunderbar

While I also don't know anything about these specific charters, here are a few of things to look into if you're considering them:

- extra curriculars, sports in particular -- many charters offer limited ECs and sports. That may not matter to you, but it's something to ask about. My son left a charter because it didn't have his sport, and had no plans to add it.

- after school care -- ditto.

- school bus transportation -- ditto

- teacher/admin turnover: in many charters teachers are really underpaid. Some by as much as 30% less than their counterparts in the public schools. Because of that, and because there's usually lots of "political" hubub in schools in general, the turnover among both teachers and administrators can be very high. Which doesn't make for a very stable school environment

- student turnover. Many kids/parents decide that whatever the charter school's orientation is, it isn't necessarily any better than the public. Losing friends can be unsettling to students.

Yes, thank you for bringing all of these things up vunderbar. I knew it about the sports and extracurricular activities, but not the other points you brought up, so I'll take all of that into consideration if looking at a charter school again.