Not public, home, or private but Alternative or Charter schools

I know a lot of families who aren’t thrilled with their public school options, can’t afford private school, and don’t feel that homeschool is the right answer for them. If this is how you feel, maybe a charter or alternative school is the answer.

I think almost every state has something like this. I know charter schools are big in California. I recently learned about WA State’s version, Alternative Public Schools or Parent Partnership Programs. They cater towards homeschoolers but many families use these schools and don't consider themselves homeschoolers.

These schools are publicly funded but the parents have a lot more control over the curriculum and there are a variety of schedules and ways to use the schools. When you sign up with one of them you get $ to use on school supplies and lessons.

I have a friend who uses this school http://www.monroe.wednet.edu/PAGES/svec.html and gets $450 each year for each child. There are restrictions and limits on how she can use the money but it sounded pretty great and it's way better than paying private school tuition - you actually get to make use of your tax dollars. This school is in Monroe but there are kids in it that come from Everett. My friend said you can tour the school to see what it's really like. She said every school district probably has one and they are all run differently. You don't have to be in the school district though - you can go to any of them if they have room.

Here's the site for the Everett school. http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/homeschool/

Here's the site for the Snohomish school http://www.sno.wednet.edu/PPP/

Here's the site for the Lake Stevens school http://www.lkstevens.wednet.edu/homelink/index.html

Here's the site for the Edmonds school http://www.edmondshrc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=3s

Here's the site for the Shoreline school http://schools.shorelineschools.org/home_education/

Here's the site for the Northshore school http://www.nsd.org/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=18

Those are just the ones in my area. I found them by looking at each school district's website and clicking on all the school names until I found the alternative school.

What are you doing for school next year?

Advice For A New Mother

I made this for my baby sister's baby shower.

Advice For A New Mother