Switching from a charter school to a public high school can make a huge difference.
Garrett Schnyder has had first-hand experience with this change.
He had attended STEM for most of his education, being there for eleven years.
Many students who switch from STEM to Lakeland claim the workload at Lakeland is much lighter and easier to handle, especially since they are used to the hours of homework and extensive classwork they completed at STEM Charter.
Why Charter Schools?
According to Idahocsn.org, there are forty-nine public charter schools in Idaho, six of which are in north Idaho.
According to the Idaho Charter School Network, This freedom allows charters to map their own path to innovation and, it is hoped, educational quality. In return for this operational freedom, charter schools enter into performance agreements with an authorizer. If a school fails to live up to its agreement, the authorizer can revoke the charter or choose not to renew it.
Another pro and con of charter schools such as STEM is the smaller class sizes. Garret Snyder spoke about how it can become boring when the same people are in the same class as you for years and years. However, he said connecting with teachers and making better friendships is easier.
“I just wanted a change and wanted to be able to play sports,” Snyder said.
According to Niche.com, 632 students attend Coeur d’Alene Charter School.
“The teachers care about us succeeding, so they often challenge us,” Mackenzie Conley, a junior at STEM Charter Academy, said.
According to STEMschool.com, the aim of North Idaho STEM Charter Academy is to train students for higher education and jobs in an increasingly technical economy by enhancing students’ interest in science, engineering, and math through technology. This requires students to imbibe the spirit of collaboration, teamwork, time and task management, and presentation skills, which makes them productive and technology-capable students.
In contrast, to public high schools administration at these charter schools can be more strict than at a school like LHS. They expect more from their students, which can be hard to deal with as a student there.
Cultural Differences
According to Methodschools.org, there are five primary differences between public and charter schools. Number one is flexibility. Charter schools can offer more flexible curriculums and can help students progress faster.
The second one is public funding. Charter school funding varies drastically from state to state, but they use both private and public funding.
Third is enrollment. Both can admit students by location, but unlike public schools, charter schools have capped admission.
Number four is school regulations. Both types of schools have to answer to a board of directors. However, charter schools tend to go through more local entities. For example, they do not have to pass decisions through a bigger school district.
The fifth difference is learning programs. Since charter schools have more flexibility, they have already worked out the kinks of online learning, while public schools are still trying to figure out how to navigate it smoothly.
“I made the switch so that I could experience a different school,” Brennan Mcrea said.
“I have considered going to a public school, but only for social reasons. However, I don’t see the point in switching now when I am already so far in, ” Conley said.
According to the Coeur D’ Alene Charter Academy, a distinctive uniform unifies the school community. It underscores the Academy’s seriousness of purpose by encouraging students to consider their attire an aspect of their work.
In addition, neatness and modesty are essential aspects of the Charter school environment. Their website also discusses that if something about a student’s dress makes them stand out, that will be considered a violation of the dress code.
With the smaller class sizes, it is easier to focus on each student. It is also easier to make connections with peers and challenge the students. These rules eliminate self-consciousness and social competition among students.
“The dress code can sometimes be a little ridiculous,” Conley said.
In contrast to public high schools, the administration at these charter schools can be more strict than at a school like LHS. They have more rigorous expectations of their students, which can be difficult to handle as a student there.
“Lakeland is one of the top schools where students take dual credit classes,” Frank Viera said.
Textbooks are offered and bought here, which saves thousands of dollars. It makes dual enrollment easier for students because money is not a factor.
“Students come to our school for many reasons, some may be for the extracurriculars or the more traditional high school experience,” Viera said. “Others just enjoy not wearing a uniform.”
