Finding Educational Alternatives to Public School
By Staff Writer
First it was music class, then P.E., and now your child’s favorite teacher has been laid off.
If you walk into a classroom today, you’ll likely find a very different scene than you would’ve found years ago. Your child may be one of 40-50 students in a class with one flustered teacher; computer labs have been replaced with outdated textbooks; and if you need an after-school or summer program, you’re simply out of luck.
Public Education Cuts
The ailing economy has left everyone strapped for cash, including homeowners, cities and states. Some of the public education cuts, such as those in California, are the largest since the Great Depression, resulting in teacher layoffs, cuts to art, music, and athletic programs, increased class sizes, and reduced access to books, supplies and the latest technologies.
Nationwide, budget cuts are affecting public schools in a variety of negative ways:
- Increased school expenses including books and materials, use of outdated materials, and reductions to a four-day school week in some areas
- Lower quality education because of faculty cutbacks, larger class sizes and teacher burn-out
- Dramatic cutbacks in art, music, vocational education and physical education
- Cancellations of after-school and summer school programs
- Fewer college assistance grants and less support from college counselors
Who suffers most from these cutbacks? Children and adolescents who are stuck with poor academics, a lack of tutoring and support, and fewer opportunities to engage in fun, confidence-building activities.
The most recent spate of budgetary cuts has left many parents questioning the value of the education their child is receiving in public school. For those seeking a different type of experience for their child, other options may be more attractive, such as therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers and wilderness therapy programs.
Option 1: Therapeutic Boarding Schools and Residential Treatment Centers
Despite the economic downturn, private therapeutic boarding schools have maintained a standard of excellence. These schools combine superior academics with intensive therapy to help teens who are struggling with learning disabilities or emotional or behavioral issues, who may be falling behind in public school, and who are contributing to a hostile home environment.
While public schools are getting more crowded and less effective, therapeutic boarding schools offer the following:
- Smaller class sizes, one-on-one attention and individual learning plans, which help teens catch up in school and develop a passion for learning
- Teachers who are passionate about their work and are able to spend their time teaching rather than managing large numbers of students
- A full spectrum of enriching activities, including sports, fine arts, equine programs, adventure activities like rock climbing and white water rafting, and trips abroad
- Access to new computers, technologies and the latest learning tools
- Opportunities to get to know students from different places and backgrounds
- A supportive and nurturing environment where teachers and staff work to help teens feel good about themselves
- Family therapy and workshops to improve the functioning of the family system
- College and career guidance that helps teens set goals for the future
While private school or residential treatment may seem like a luxury to some, for many teens with emotional and behavioral issues, these programs can be a necessity. Students get a rigorous, college-prep education, individualized attention and opportunities for emotional growth, which are missing in most public schools.
Option 2: Wilderness Therapy Programs
Summer vacation and the after-school hours of 3 to 6 p.m. are when teens are most likely to experiment with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, sex and other risky behaviors. With less supervision and structure and more freedom, rates of criminal activity, car accidents, obesity and other problems increase.
Studies show that after-school and summer programs help children earn higher grades, attend classes regularly and graduate from high school. Safe activities like sports, games and tutoring helps teens stay out of trouble.
In districts where summer school programs have been cancelled and budgets for additional services have been slashed, families have begun looking for alternatives.
Wilderness therapy programs provide a safe, structured and supervised setting for teens struggling with emotional and behavioral issues to continue learning and growing outside of school. The best wilderness camps offer the following:
- A strong educational component that includes lessons in writing, art, health and science. Some wilderness programs even offer academic credit.
- Personal and emotional growth through intensive therapy, meaningful challenge and leadership opportunities
- Exposure to a variety of confidence-building activities and people who have interesting life experiences, which may spark ideas for career choices and passions to pursue in the future
- A positive peer environment where teens support one another, work as a team and provide constructive feedback
If public school is adequately meeting your child’s needs, consider yourself fortunate. With all of the budget cuts taking effect this year, and more planned in the years to come, it may be time to consider the alternatives.
Therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers and wilderness therapy programs are more than an excellent growth opportunity for teens – they are one of the few ways left to help teens get back on track in school while learning important life skills and reconnecting with their families.