Single-sex education is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Although research on its benefits has been largely inconclusive, the argument that boys and girls are hard-wired with different learning styles that should be accommodated can feel compelling to a parent who wants to make the best educational choice for their child. What is often missing from this discussion, however, are the significant benefits that students of both genders gain from a coed learning environment.
Everyone knows that the price tag of a private school education can induce a serious case of sticker shock. Let’s face it, it looks positively extravagant when compared with the cost of its public school competitors. After all, isn’t public school free?
While parents of elementary-age children tend to focus on a school’s literacy or math curriculum, art and music - the so-called specials - can fuel a child’s academic development in ways that are equally essential to their success.
-by Katie Knuppel, Head of Primary School
As parents and teachers, many of us gravitate toward reading stories rather than nonfiction. However, the truth is that children love reading nonfiction, especially when you are reading it aloud to them and can answer the many questions that bubble up. Nonfiction books are filled with information, and children are eager to understand the world around them.
It’s impossible to talk about homeschooling without first acknowledging that parents choose to homeschool for a wide range of reasons and that there is no “one size fits all” approach to a homeschool program. Just as diverse are the many reasons why parents may choose to transition to a traditional school environment at some point in their child’s schooling. The impetus could be a change in the family’s schedule, a desire for increased social stimulation with their peer group, or the need to prepare the student for a mainstream high school or college experience.
Transitioning to a private middle school for the seventh or eighth grade--or to a school like Fay that also offers a capstone ninth grade program--can be a great way to manage the transition to a traditional school environment while maintaining the academic rigor and specialized attention of a homeschooling experience. Here are some features to look for as you consider making the transition.
