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As consumers, we have the option of customizing virtually any purchase\u2013education included. Parents can select from a wide range of school types, each with their own structure and approach. Making the best choice for your child starts with understanding the common characteristics of each kind of school: public and charter, private and independent, and religious and parochial.<\/p>\n
Public and Charter Schools<\/strong> \u201cThe basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for greater accountability,\u201d says Caffee. \u201cAs public schools, charter schools are open to all children, do not require entrance exams, cannot charge tuition, and must participate in state testing and federal accountability programs. The schools draw up their own \u2018charter\u2019 which is a set of rules and performance standards that they are held accountable to.\u201d<\/p>\n Religious Private and Parochial Schools<\/strong> Kennedy explains that \u201cparochial schools are usually private schools that receive financial support from a particular church or parish, meaning the funding of a parochial school primarily comes from the church, not tuition dollars. They are closely connected to the church itself and do not stand alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Private and Independent Schools<\/strong> Says Kennedy, \u201cthe administration at an independent school is responsible for carrying out a strategic plan that ensures the school’s on-going success, and reports to the board regularly on progress and how they will address or are addressing any challenges the school may face.\u201d<\/p>\n When it came to finding the right school fit, MPA parent and trustee Neelu Boddipalli with her husband Rama<\/a> took a broad approach, exploring private, public, and charter schools. \u201cWhen private schools rose to the top of our list, and we committed to making a financial investment in our children\u2019s education, the conversation changed,\u201d reflects Neelu. \u201cWe focused on comparing the area\u2019s top private schools, including Mounds Park Academy.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to MPA\u2019s rating as one of the top two best private schools<\/a> in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, the Boddipalli family was drawn to MPA\u2019s whole-child approach. \u201cWe loved the school\u2019s emphasis on character and skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity,\u201d says Neelu, adding that another deciding factor was the strong parent community at MPA.<\/p>\n \u201cI have never seen such outreach, involvement, and passion coming from a parent community at a school like I did at MPA. I feel like the parents and students are there for each other, which makes us feel welcome and included.\u201d The student community was another school strength, with Neelu noting that \u201cthe school does a great job leveraging cross-grade interactions, pairing up kids across grades for different activities. We love that kids are learning from other kids in a way that typically doesn\u2019t happen in traditional schools.\u201d<\/p>\n Learn more about it: Understanding School Types<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAs described by author Alex Caffee in her Niche blog<\/a>, traditional public schools are tied to school districts and set their curriculums based on state education standards. Charter schools are public schools that are independent of school districts and have contracts with state or local boards.<\/p>\n
\nIn his Q&A about religious private schools<\/a> Robert Kennedy outlines the distinctions between religious private and parochial institutions. \u201cA religious private school is simply a school that identifies with a specific religious group,\u201d says Kennedy. \u201cOften these schools have curricula that include teachings of that faith in addition to a traditional curriculum, something that is often referred to as a dual curriculum. These schools are usually independently funded, meaning they depend on tuition dollars and\/or fundraising efforts to operate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIn a separate piece by Kennedy on the difference between private and independent schools<\/a>, he explains that both are funded by their own resources, and do not receive public funding from the state or federal government. \u201cThe distinction between a private school and an independent school has to do with the legal structure of each, how they are governed, and how they are funded,\u201d says Kennedy. \u201cAn independent school has a truly independent board of trustees that oversees the school’s operation, while a private school can theoretically be part of another entity, such as a for profit corporation or a not for profit organization such as a church or synagogue. An independent board of trustees often meets several times a year to discuss the school’s overall health, including finances, reputation, improvement, facilities, and other important aspects of the school’s success.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"prek](\"https:\/\/nclhx5yj.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/schooltypes2wpstory.jpg\")
MPA: An Independent, College Prep School<\/strong>
\nMounds Park Academy fits the definition of an independent private school, with a Board of Trustees<\/a> that guides the school\u2019s strategic direction<\/a> and protects its mission. Critical functions of the Board include hiring, supporting, and evaluating the Head of School; establishing the school\u2019s mission and strategic plan, supporting the school\u2019s development efforts, and safeguarding the school\u2019s financial stability.<\/p>\n\n
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