Why do I never / rarely hear about charter schools?

[Dallaz]

In Dallas proper, there are a lot of charter schools. I’m guessing that most of the people in this forum don’t venture to East Dallas, Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, etc. So much so, that Dallas ISD trustees have fought against additional charter schools within their communities.

[75214Dad]

Originally Posted by Dallaz

In Dallas proper, there are a lot of charter schools. I’m guessing that most of the people in this forum don’t venture to East Dallas, Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, etc. So much so, that Dallas ISD trustees have fought against additional charter schools within their communities.

There are three charter schools in all of east Dallas- all are overwhelmingly FRL serving. The one charter school in NOC is consolidating their campuses and facing steep enrollment declines. In all cases the local DISD schools perform better on state exams.

PG is seen as fertile ground for charter expansion (KIPP just built a HS), but again, that is a very low SES demographic.

[4Movingeast]

Originally Posted by Wittgenstein's Ghost

Most people on this forum who have school-aged kids either live in a good school district or have the money for private school. But charters are alive and well. I live in Colorado now, and I know multiple people who send their kids to charter schools. In fact, one of the highest-performing schools in all of the Pikes Peak region is a charter school. Colorado actually allows choicing into other districts than your zoned district if there is space (this would be heresy in DFW), but it's surprising how few people take advantage of that. More people seem to choose the charter route if they live in a district with poor schools.

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My friend's son was in a charter school before they moved from Denver area and it shocked her when she got back to TX how far they had let standards go. He wasn't behind but his dyslexia went undiagnosed until he got to TX. She said they have basically dismantled public ed in CO, and as a result she would not live there with kids in school.

[Wittgenstein's Ghost]

Originally Posted by 4Movingeast

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My friend's son was in a charter school before they moved from Denver area and it shocked her when she got back to TX how far they had let standards go. He wasn't behind but his dyslexia went undiagnosed until he got to TX. She said they have basically dismantled public ed in CO, and as a result she would not live there with kids in school.

I know of public charters in Colorado with average SAT scores 50 points higher than Plano West, and I know of public charters in Colorado that I wouldn't send my dog to. Such is the nature of charter schools. But as for Colorado public schools in general going down the drain....your friend sounds hysterical. There is a very low rate of private school attendance in Colorado because the public school system is preferred even among folks with money and options.

Imagine how much stock you'd put in someone who said "I had a friend who sent her kid to a charter school in Dallas, and she was shocked at how poorly he ended up doing. She said Texas had basically dismantled their public schools." Come on.

[4Movingeast]

Originally Posted by Wittgenstein's Ghost

I know of public charters in Colorado with average SAT scores 50 points higher than Plano West, and I know of public charters in Colorado that I wouldn't send my dog to. Such is the nature of charter schools. But as for Colorado public schools in general going down the drain....your friend sounds hysterical. There is a very low rate of private school attendance in Colorado because the public school system is preferred even among folks with money and options.

Imagine how much stock you'd put in someone who said "I had a friend who sent her kid to a charter school in Dallas, and she was shocked at how poorly he ended up doing. She said Texas had basically dismantled their public schools." Come on.

[ALA2009]

Charter schools in this area can be hit & miss. Lots of different philosophies and target audience. Flower mound has high rated ISD and a well regarded charter school. Founders Classical Academy of Flower Mound (my kiddo attends) is K-12 classical school. It teaches Latin starting in 7th grade & emphasizes classical literature & thought. I picked it over our local ISD because of it's smaller size (3-4 sections of each grade, inaugural graduating class is 24) and it is more of a challenge. My kiddo took the 8th grade STAAR test in 7th because they teach a year ahead in math. Very high academic focus. I would say it is competing more with the local private school than ISD. It's nice to have options. I think sports is a big reason for fewer charters as well.

[75214Dad]

Originally Posted by ALA2009

Charter schools in this area can be hit & miss. Lots of different philosophies and target audience. Flower mound has high rated ISD and a well regarded charter school. Founders Classical Academy of Flower Mound (my kiddo attends) is K-12 classical school. It teaches Latin starting in 7th grade & emphasizes classical literature & thought. I picked it over our local ISD because of it's smaller size (3-4 sections of each grade, inaugural graduating class is 24) and it is more of a challenge. My kiddo took the 8th grade STAAR test in 7th because they teach a year ahead in math. Very high academic focus. I would say it is competing more with the local private school than ISD. It's nice to have options. I think sports is a big reason for fewer charters as well.

Looks like LISD let’s qualified middle school students take two years ahead in math (which is standard for competitive districts). You’ve been sold a bill of goods, but at least you are happy with your decision.

[widespreadfan]

What are people's thought on Founders Classical Academy of Carrollton, Founders Classical Academy of Frisco, and Harmony in Plano?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by 75214Dad

Looks like LISD let’s qualified middle school students take two years ahead in math (which is standard for competitive districts). You’ve been sold a bill of goods, but at least you are happy with your decision.

That's out of line.