If you’ve recently moved to Indiana or your child has just reached the age where you’re starting to think more seriously about their education, it may be difficult to research all of the different options that are available for them to get the proper education that they need. This article will help clear up that confusion regarding the differences between types of schools within Indiana as well as the specifics around regulations and curriculum.
Private Schools
You might be surprised to find that there are over 125 private schools in Indianapolis. Private schools are similar to charter schools, which this article will cover in detail later, where they design their own curriculum and are designed to serve a certain demographic such as religion, cultural or philosophical value, or teaching and learning style.
Another difference that distinguishes private schools from others is that they charge tuition. But although they’re not funded by the government, they’re still required to comply with certain standards. These depend on whether or not the school has accreditation from the state, however, this accreditation is required for them to take part in the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program.
In addition, accredited schools need to follow a certain curriculum, have licensed teachers, and meet the health and safety requirements that are followed by public schools, though this isn’t a conclusive list.
Public Schools
Public schools are the most common and widely known educational institutions in the American educational system and provide education to over 1 million students in Indiana alone. These are also held to certain standards regarding enrollment for current residents starting school, and transfers from other districts within the state, or out-of-state.
In Indianapolis specifically, public schools are required to allow transfers within the district. For other districts, one can put in a request to transfer as long as that school allows open enrollment. These requests can be specific to the value of the curriculum, especially regarding a child’s professional goals that would be better suited for another school, and crowded or otherwise unwanted conditions.
But within the category of public schools, there are a couple of different types that you may want to consider when you’re weighing the options on where your child should attend. The first is magnet schools, and the second is charter schools.
Magnet Schools
Magnet schools are a bit different from standard public schools in that they hone in on a very specific type of theme or learning curriculum designed around a set of standards, such as schools for the performing arts, medicine, or STEM curriculum. Although they’re free to attend, they operate on a similar enrollment style as students need to apply to be admitted rather than going to the regular public school in their district.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are a subset of public schools that, while they’re still held to standards by authorizers, aren’t subject to the same regulations as other public schools. These authorizers can be one of five bodies, including a state educational institution, a nonprofit college or university that offers four-year bachelor’s or advanced degree programs, a governing body, or the Indiana Charter School Board itself.
Charter schools are generally made to serve learning styles and other needs that traditional public schools in the area don’t satisfy. These are similarly free to attend for any student and must comply with laws such as open enrollment, special education, and standardized testing.
FAQ
This isn’t the total amount of ways that students can earn their K-12 education, however. Here are the answers to a couple of questions you may have about homeschooling and online education in Indiana.
Are There Any Regulations Surrounding Homeschooling in Indiana?
Yes, as they’re considered non-accredited private schools, they need to follow the laws that apply to private schools. Although there aren’t any specifics on the curriculum that must be covered, instruction is required to be taught in English. Otherwise, attendance records and teaching for the approximate 180 days that public school students attend school is also required.
Are There Options for K-12 Online Learning in Indiana?
Yes. With the prevalence of online learning now following recent events, it’s become an assumption that people will move back to in-person learning.
But plenty of students were excelling with online learning before quarantine. These can offer education to students who thrive in an online learning environment or be used as a great supplement to in-person education over the summer.
A Look Into Education
Education in America has evolved from simple schoolhouses and schools for specific fields at the post-secondary level to schools being available for children to attend that span private, public, and homeschooling options. Although the categories and limitations of each school type and the curriculum they may teach can be overwhelming, this guide will hopefully have served as an easier breakdown of these types and which you may want to research further.