School Daze: What's Best for Your Child?

Today CatholicExchange.com published my article on charter schools -- a topic that can be rather controversial in some circles.

The decision about where to educate children -- whether in the public schools (traditional or charter), parish schools, or at home -- is an important issue. I know several friends who have agonized over it, many of whom decided to go the homeschool route.

The subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) pressures parents feel to choose a particular option based on what other parents are doing is real, but not always constructive. After all, we know our children best, and we know our own gifts and limitations. God expects us to make a prudential judgment based on all the factors, knowing that mid-course corrections are often possible.

If you decide not to homeschool, for example, it doesn't automatically mean that you aren't a good and dedicated parent. It doesn't mean that you aren't concerned enough about protecting your children's innocence, or that you are selfishly tending to your own needs before those of your children. It simply means that you are aware of other options that work best for your family.

If you decide that parochial education is not in your budget, or that your child has particular gifts that would be better served in the public schools, this doesn't mean you don't take your child's religious formation or "Catholic identity" seriously. It just means that you will have to work harder, on your own, to tend to these particular needs.

And if you decide that your local charter school offers the kind of learning environment you want for your child, then by all means do it! You will have to deal with your share of detracters, but never mind that. In the end, you and your husband are responsible to God -- and only to God -- for your family's future.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Monica, who interceded on behalf of her wayward son (who by the way was always top in his class). She is held up as a model for mothers not because she picked the right schools ... but because she never forgot that her most important job was not in front of a chalkboard, but on her knees.

St. Monica, patron of mothers, pray for us!