Thoughts on Charter Schools? (Dallas, Coppell: fit in, neighborhood, best schools)

[NTXPerson]

What is everyone’s general thoughts on charter schools? I’ve heard mixed reviews. A new charter school will be opening in NW Dallas. This is a new program as in this school doesn’t fall under any of the large charter systems (ex. Uplift). Planning is in the early stages. So, there isn’t a history to review. If you were wanting to learn more information, what questions would you ask and what would be your expectations be for the school?

[Wittgenstein's Ghost]

I would never send my kids to a new charter school. Never. IMO, charter schools can be described like this:

Top 5%: Excellent schools that have good management, a clear vision in their founding and have been in business for a long time

Next 20%: Okay school with okay management, little advantage over an average regular public school

Bottom 75%: A drunk goat could put together a better school

Running a school is at least partly a technical matter, and it almost never goes well at first. Some charter schools are great, but they are almost never new, and IMO, they are the exception.

Of course, this all depends on what your alternative is. If I was zoned to genuinely bad public schools, I'd be more open to charters.

[TeamLynn]

Just like any other school system, there are hits and misses.
I have no experience, so just outsider looking in.
Look at North Hills Prep.....maybe one of the best schools in DFW...long waiting list from what I understand. People drive from all over the city to go there.
Some are giving a pretty good alternative to horrible public schools in tough parts of town. I see this with Uplift in many cases.
Some have focuses, so depends on your kid and what you want them to study and what drives them.
Not sure if it is still in business or not, but there was Coppell Classical Academy for a while that many liked.
I've seen a couple of my friends kids who were good kids, but maybe a bit "weird" thrive at a charter school geared for performing arts in Ft. Worth. Complete turnaround for one. I think he would have really struggled in a "good" public school where he was. He fit in at that school. Right in his element.
I've heard some parents with certain goals or interests like Harmony and I've heard some like Universal Academy.
I'm always interested that some parents want to live in a "10" school district, when their kid is in the bottom 20% of the class. That could be a real issue for many kids. Some might get lifted, but for others that could be a real disaster. Someone is in the bottom 20% at every school.
So some charter schools might be right for some kids, especially if they will thrive in a smaller environment and need more personal attention.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by TeamLynn

I'm always interested that some parents want to live in a "10" school district, when their kid is in the bottom 20% of the class. That could be a real issue for many kids. Some might get lifted, but for others that could be a real disaster. Someone is in the bottom 20% at every school.

I agree here. I have seen several friends' kids go through this exact situation. They ended up not being able to go to the colleges they wanted due to a low class ranking, even though they had good grades and plenty of extracurricular activities.

[NTXPerson]

Thanks for the insight all. The people who are opening it each have over twenty years of experience in K-12 education. One of them was a principal at one of the top schools in the country. So, they have a great resume. But, of course, starting a charter school is different. I did some investigating on the states school grading website. It seems there are definitely hit and misses. I assume for a variety of reasons. Something I will look into is how they will be paying their teachers and the benefits offered. I saw that Uplift’s salary range is pretty equitable to public school district salaries.

[numbersguy100]

I'd be skeptical. Even "established" brands like Uplift aren't doing anything special over DISD other than keeping the absolute worst kids/families out and skimming public money. I mean, no kidding, you kick out even minor discipline problems, keep special needs kids out of the schools, and target families who care enough to even investigate options in the first place, and on paper you're going to look better than a DISD school in a poor neighborhood that can't do any of those things.