Choosing a Private School: A Comprehensive Guide

There are so many options available to parents who are thinking about sending their kids to private school. In the United States, there are about 34,500 private schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Several large cities have well over 1,000! Numerous religious and nonreligious groups are members of these schools. The schools that make up each organization each have their own distinct vibe or taste.

This detailed guide to the world of private schools is provided. This summary can help parents who are new to this world and parents who want to change. There are two sections to this manual. The primary distinctions between private and public education are described in the first part. The second half assists parents who are looking into private schooling for their kids in reducing down the hundreds of options to just a handful of top priorities.

What is Different about a Private School?

Private schools themselves, of course, differ greatly in terms of their offers, level of quality, culture, and price. However, there are several general areas where private schools and public schools are different, such as funding, accountability, independence, and selection.

Selectiveness

Nearly all pupils must be served by public schools according to the legislation. Charter schools and private institutions are not. Parents must fill out an application in order to enroll their children in a private school. Additionally, not all applying families are accepted. Some don't fit the requirements a particular school has.

These applications are evaluated by private schools based on a variety of factors. Most will assess a student's academic record and record of accomplishments. A believe statement or consideration of church affiliation may be required by religious schools. Elite private schools could also inquire about extracurricular activities or volunteer work.

The bottom line is that private schools have the right to be picky about the pupils they admit. The more selective a school is, the more prestigious or exclusive it is. Most parents think that being picky is a good thing. They want their kids to study among similarly driven, intelligent, and accomplished classmates.

Selectivity has yet another crucial component that deserves attention. Public schools are normally mandated to support pupils with special needs, whereas private schools are not. Parents who have children who have been identified as having a learning disability may want to bring this up during the application process. No matter how prominent the institution, enrolling a child in a program that is ill-equipped to satisfy his or her needs is a bad idea.

Accountability

Results in education are not subject to state oversight in private schools. Although it may seem shocking, this is the case. Private schools, however, answer to the parents of the kids (and in some cases a governing board). This makes it more important than ever for parents to be aware of what their children are learning and to voice any concerns they may have about the curriculum.

Parents who pay for private schools' tuition see the absence of state accountability as a benefit. Teachers are allowed to use the teaching methods they are passionate about in schools since they are not constrained by bureaucracy. However, the majority of parents lack educational expertise. They wouldn't feel comfortable paying for education that wasn't supervised or certified. They seek proof that a school's offerings are of a high caliber. Because of this, a lot of private schools pursue accreditation to show that their curriculum is up to par.

Independence

In public schools, teachers and administrators have minimal control over the curriculum. State education standards are followed when making decisions at the state and district levels. Private schools do, however, maintain their academic autonomy. They are not constrained by district, state, or local standards or curricula. Typically, teachers have a voice in the textbooks that the school selects. As long as they produce the results that parents (and typically accrediting agencies) desire, teachers also have a considerable deal of freedom in how they instruct.

State certification for teachers at private schools is frequently not required by law, despite the fact that many institutions do. Schools are free to employ subject-area specialists or teachers with professional expertise, which is a constructive way to look at things. The restrictions that come with a license are not applicable to teachers. Having uncertified teachers, however, can result in a decline in educational quality.

Funding

Wide-ranging effects result from the disparity in funding methods between public and private education. Parents never pay tuition at public schools. Instead, a jumble of state and municipal levies is used to pay for public schools. Grants of title are occasionally included. According to NPR, local taxes provide for 45% of school funding, the state for 45%, and the federal government for 10%.

Little or no funding is provided to private schools by the municipal, state, or federal governments. Instead, the majority of their funding comes from parents and donors. The three primary sources of funding are tuition, grants, and fundraising, according to GreatSchools. Additionally, a parent group or denomination may provide money to a religious school.

Last but not least, certain states, like Georgia, provide education assistance (sometimes known as "school choice" or "voucher") programs that can pay for students who meet certain criteria to attend private schools.

Considerations for Choosing a Private School

Knowing the primary distinctions between public and private schools is just the beginning. It's one thing for parents to choose to send their kids to a private school. But selecting the best one is a different matter. This is valid in part due to the sheer volume of private schools. In the Chicagoland region, GreatSchools lists a staggering 1,230 private schools! Although not every city has such statistics, there are many options for cities of all sizes.

For most families, selecting a school is a very personal decision. No manual can by itself direct people to the ideal institution. Parents should instead utilize these criteria to reduce your choices to the top 3 or top 5. The parents must then decide what is best for their families.

Budget

Private schools are expensive. Some are inexpensive, while others are pricey. The average high school tuition at Catholic institutions is above $9000, according to TheStreet. Over $28,000 is the typical non-sectarian school cost. Additionally, Forman in Litchfield, Connecticut, is the most costly in the nation. It costs a staggering $62,000 a year.

The budget for the family needs to be carefully examined by the parents before moving forward with the process. How much money is offered for each child? Is there anything the family would like to forgo in order to pursue private education? What are the reputable schools in their city that they can afford to attend? Many families find it difficult to meet the aforementioned averages and therefore search for institutions with lower tuition costs.

Do Not Ignore Scholarships

Both parents and students can search for available scholarships. At the college level, merit- or achievement-based scholarships are more prevalent, although there are some available to high school students as well. There are certain schools that offer indexed tuition that scales based on need, such Gaston Day School south of Charlotte, North Carolina. The most elite private day schools accept a specific amount of scholarship students and have their own endowments.

In other words, it doesn't harm to inquire about scholarship options at a school if money is the only roadblock.

If it's available in your state, use school choice

In 14 states plus the District of Columbia, some parents have access to school choice voucher schemes. A useful resource is provided by the Education Commission of the States. Programs fall into a number of distinct categories, and each one has a particular eligibility requirement. Inquire about any voucher-style programs that are available in your state if you are a low- or middle-income parent interested in sending your child to private school.

Spiritual or not?

When choosing a private school, parents must determine whether they want their kids to attend a religious institution. Of course, devout parents won't have a hard time making this choice. And for those parents, the school's affiliation or denomination is frequently significant enough to take precedence over other considerations.

But what about nonreligious parents? 10% of students in the country, according to the Council for American Private Education, attend private schools, with 78% of them attending religious institutions. Some nonreligious or nominally religious parents nevertheless opt for religious education because they believe it instills values or character.

It's also critical to recognize the diversity of religious instruction. Some Evangelical Christian schools include their religion heavily into their curricula. Others provide a largely secular education delivered by Christian educators. Every few weeks, they would sprinkle one or two chapels. Evangelical schools and Jewish schools have quite diverse cultures from one another.

Location, Location, Location

Bus transportation is not provided by the great majority of private schools. As a result, location becomes crucial in parents' decision-making. A school will probably be removed from the list if it is not conveniently located for students' homes or places of employment. Even though there are over a thousand private schools in Chicago, most families can only give the ones that are near to where they live considerable consideration. This reduces the 1200 schools on most families' lists to, at most, a few dozen.

Class Size

Quality may be determined by factors like class size or the student-to-teacher ratio. It's a proximate indicator of how much individual students are likely to receive in terms of attention. According to conventional thinking, classes with fewer pupils benefit because teachers can give each student more individual attention. The student-to-teacher ratio is often low at prestigious schools. Class size in public schools is inversely correlated with funding; greater funding results in smaller classrooms, and less funding results in larger classes.

Parents typically give preference to schools with smaller class sizes. But keep in mind that class sizes in Catholic schools are frequently greater than usual. Class size comparisons for parents looking primarily for Catholic education should be made with other Catholic schools in the area rather than nonsectarian ones.

Enrollment and Stability

The sizes of private schools vary greatly. Parents looking for a specific atmosphere (big school vs. small school) should take enrolment figures and class size into consideration. Schools with higher student populations typically have the resources to provide more extracurriculars and electives. Schools with fewer students may have stronger parent engagement. They might also provide less obvious advantages like the sense of a tight-knit community.

Parents could enquire about enrollment figures and request historical information. Small class sizes are nice, but not if they were only made possible by a consistent (or sharp) decline in attendance. Instead, this is probably a sign that the school is unhealthy.

Accreditation

Accreditation fulfills a crucial role because private schools are not obligated to adhere to state standards, recruit licensed teachers, or use a district- or state-mandated curriculum. While state boards or local organizations typically accredit public schools, this is not always the case (or both). Additionally, how well kids perform on tests and how closely the school adheres to district directives are typically the deciding factors.

The key external indicator that a private school is accomplishing its declared goals is accreditation. This is because of the already described independence and disparity in accountability. The range of what is reviewed is significantly greater, thus the procedure is usually more comprehensive.

Numerous accrediting organizations support the community of private schools. Some of these groups are on a national, regional, or state level. The list is provided by the CAPE Network. The selection of the "best" agency is outside the purview of this article because the criteria used by these agencies differ.

Private schools are not required to be accredited, and there are undoubtedly some excellent institutions that forgo certification in favor of greater autonomy. However, many approved colleges and universities demand that their applicants have graduated from an accredited high school, as noted by the Florida Department of Education. Parents should examine whether sending their kids to an unaccredited private school will hurt their chances of getting into a good college.

Extracurriculars

Despite being a TV stereotype, the private school lacrosse or field hockey squad is based on fact. Many extracurricular activities, some of which parents won't find at the neighborhood public high school, are frequently offered by private schools. These extracurricular activities could include less popular sports like lacrosse or field hockey, a curriculum that immerses students in a foreign language, Latin or religious studies classes, or a more in-depth approach to the arts.

However, there are a few significant limitations. First off, not all private schools will offer the same courses or have the same goals. Parents should look for a school with initiatives and emphasises that complement the skills and interests of their kids. Second, private schools offering "exclusive" extracurriculars have at least one drawback. Private schools frequently don't offer certain activities or programs that are offered at public schools (such football, cooking, or vocational training).

Culture

Many people associate private schools with snobbish, uniformed rich children attending classes in opulent (but very old) buildings. TV clichés are partially at fault here as well. Private schools do, however, each have their own distinct cultures. Some people might very well fit the mold. Some societies value and foster positive behavior. Others are renowned for their focus on science and technology, for their culture of discipline and excellence, or for their immersive artistic approach.

Parents are aware of the culture they want for their kids and the types of environments in which they will thrive. Parents should visit a school's campus, speak with teachers, and ask parents of existing students about the school's culture. By doing this, they may determine whether the culture of potential schools is a good fit for their children.

Student Outcomes

Although the topics addressed up to this point are all significant, student outcomes are the true indicator of a private school's excellence. What percentage of grads are accepted into colleges? And before that, what is the high school graduation rate? What colleges and universities have accepted graduates? Parents who want their kids to attend Ivy League colleges must actually choose a private school with a track record of graduating students who have been admitted into Ivy League institutions.

Information on student results will be easily available from strong private schools. Many people will post this data on their websites. A school that is unable or unwilling to give this information should be avoided.

Conclusion

Finding the ideal school is challenging. It will require some time. However, it's lot simpler for parents who know exactly what they're looking for. No private school guide can definitively identify the best school for every family. But by taking into account the ideas presented in this manual, modern families can decide precisely what they desire in a private school. They can start their search with clarity and detail, and they can make their final decision with assurance.

20 Stunning Haircuts for 9-Year-Old Boys

Getting a proper haircut for a 9-year-old boy might be as difficult as it is for an adult. Do you ever go over old images of yourself and wonder what your mother was thinking when she gave you that awful haircut?

Fashion changes throughout time, and chances are, no matter how hard you try, your 9-year-old will look back at childhood images and ask, 'Gosh, what is that on my head?'

Best 9-Year-Old Boy Hairstyles

We attempted to compile a list of 20 hairstyles for 9-year-old boys that we believe are timeless and suitable for practically every face shape or style.

1. High Fade Ponytail

Here is a nine-year-old boy's haircut that is genuinely trendy. For medium to long hair, try this high, tight ponytail and give the sides a high fade to shape them.

2. Blonde Layered Fade

This nine-year-layered old's haircut is a little bit cooler thanks to a low fade. Hair can be easily kept from tangling or getting messy by adding layers.

3. The Hard Part

A hard part haircut goes perfectly with the circular glasses on this nine-year-old boy's face. The top is the longest, while the sides gradually get shorter as they get closer to the ears.

4. Ombre Dreads

Ordinarily, you wouldn't see ombre on young guys, but it looks good here on the dreads. Your little boy will adore this playful style whether you keep the color natural or allow him to play around with color.

5. Fohawk

The fohawk has the same spiky texture as a mohawk but is shorter in length. You may even give your nine-year-haircut old's a little extra flair by allowing the back hair to grow out like a rat's tail.

6. Bowl Haircut

The bowl haircut is making a comeback, and as this nine-year-old boy demonstrates, it suits kids as well! The length usually covers the ears and is uniform all the way around. Some young people want a bit of additional length on the sides and back.

7. Low Fade and Short Hair

This haircut is a wonderful choice for young boys whose hair doesn't have a lot of texture. The majority of it should be cut to be approximately an inch long, and the sides should be shaped with a medium fade.

8. Curly Mohawk

Most parents wouldn't give their nine-year-old a mohawk, but it looks great on this boy's curly hair. He has a slight edge because of the faded sides.

9. Quiff

The quiff is another mature appearance for nine-year-old males. It resembles a cross between a long top with some surfer texture and combed hair (on the sides). He can arrange this look with just a tiny bit of hair gel on his fingertips, making it simple for him.

10. Faded Haircut with Design

Many young boys prefer the fade haircut because they may customize it with unique touches like the curved shaving lines shown here. Any way he wants - zigzags, letters, whatever - this is his opportunity to show off!

11. The Mullet

No longer is a mullet reserved for those rustic boys in the southern states. On nine-year-old boys, it can be very adorable; just make sure it doesn't get too long and wild lest he end up looking like a rag doll!

12. Braids for Natural Hair 

Does the youngster in your care, age nine, have long, natural hair? Try these medium-sized braids to change up his present daily hairstyle. When he is outside playing, they will keep his hair out of his face!

13. Slicked Back

The slicked back hairstyle is always in trend, whether it's picture day or you want your little man to look dapper at a wedding. For smooth locks, all you need is a little gel and a comb.

14. Suave Undercut

For a 9-year-old kid, an undercut is not very sophisticated, and he will adore how stylish he appears. Show him how to side split the longer hair by combing it up. He can maintain his nice looks all day long by adding a hair hold gel to the top!

15. Curly Carrot Top

Although little boys with red hair are adorable, they want to be viewed as adults. Let him have his shaggy curls, but teach him how to manage frizz and flyaways with a little style gel. This well-liked cut is given a touch of flair by a slight fading.

16. Simple Short Hairstyle

This is the ideal 9 year old boy hairstyle to ask for him at the salon if your little guy is a fairly basic young gentleman. If his hair is straight, he probably prefers short, straightforward hairstyles.

When he wakes up in the morning, things look tidy and don't require any work. His hair will still be in place and appear quite fashionable after a restful night's sleep.

17. Long Side Swept Haircut

There is simply no need to completely chop off your child's long hair if it is straight, he hasn't been to the salon in a while, and both you and he believe it looks good.

Simply shorten it a touch in the back, trim it in the front, sweep it to the side, and add a little hair product to make it sleek.

18. Gorgeous Shag

A shag haircut is without a doubt one of the coolest hairstyles out there, whether we're talking about guys or our little boys. It is both orderly and disorganized. And it appears to be totally appropriate for every situation.

Simply cut your nine-year-old boy's hair short on the sides and layered, a little longer on top, and swept to the side while still maintaining some volume and giving it the appearance of being effortlessly cool.

19. Side Swept Haircut

Do you ever have the impression that you always knew your small son was a music star? He then approaches you and declares his desire to resemble one. He will then like having the top of his head parted to the side and the sides cut short.

You can always use a small amount of hair product to hold his hair in place if it tends to become messy easily or if the occasion is slightly more formal.

20. Hairstyle with Front Swept Spikes

This is a timeless one. As a result, it is unquestionably among the greatest haircuts for fashionable 9-year-old boys with short hair. It is also useful. If your boy is able to do sports without having hair on his face while looking.

Make his hair go forward and up with your fingers while applying a small amount of hair product to keep it in place, and he will be ready to go.

15 Best Online High Schools

As students, parents, and educators see the value of online education, an increasing number of institutions are opting to go online. Examine what makes online colleges an excellent alternative!

Students who attend online institutions can receive academic credentials that are recognized and accepted all around the world. Online classes can provide students with the opportunity to interact with a diverse, global, and intercultural group of students, as well as provide international students with a unique cultural experience, and studying online has become a legitimate pathway into world-renowned international universities.

Finding the perfect online school can expand a student's educational opportunities well beyond what they might be able to encounter in their immediate surroundings, and it can help kids who have struggled in regular institutions shine.

Students who attend online schools obtain academic credentials that are recognized and acknowledged all around the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public interest in online high schools. While brick-and-mortar public and private high schools have adapted to intermittent remote instruction with different degrees of success, virtual schools and their teachers have years of experience offering highly structured, relevant, and engaging instruction remotely. College Transitions has compiled a list of the top 15 online high schools in the United States, along with their physical location, the year they were founded, their tuition rate, a brief summary of their course offerings, and five interesting facts about each school, including SAT/ACT scores and recent college acceptances, when available. There are links to the schools so you may simply discover more about each possible online institution.

1. Stanford University Online High School

Physical location: Redwood City, California

Year Established: 2006

Tuition: $28,160 per year

Course offerings: Many AP courses are available, as well as 25 post-AP and university-level courses.

Quick facts:

• 64% of professors have doctorates in their areas.
• The typical class size is 13 people.
• There are 903 students enrolled in total.
• Financial aid is received by 12% of students.
• Graduates have an average SAT score of 1482.

2. Davidson Academy Online

Physical location: Reno, Nevada

Year established: 2006

Tuition: $14,595

Course offerings: Students develop a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP). The courses are difficult but do not have AP credit. Many students continue to take AP exams.

Quick facts:

• This school is for pupils who score 99.9% or higher on nationally normed intellect exams.
• The average SAT at the institution is 1529, while the average ACT is 34.8.
• Students have gone on to study at universities such as Caltech, Rice, Carnegie Mellon, the University of Chicago, and Yale.
• At this school, there is no such thing as a class rank.
• In one recent graduating class, 14 students were dubbed AP Scholars.

3. University of Texas High School

Physical location: Austin, Texas

Year established: 1999

Tuition: Texas citizens pay no tuition; non-residents pay $3,600.

Course offerings: Courses are available in 60 subjects, including numerous AP and IB alternatives.

Quick facts:

• There are 800 full-time students enrolled.
• Graduates have gone on to attend universities such as MIT, Cornell, USC, NYU, and Johns Hopkins.
• Non-Texas residents can participate in an IB Program.
• The average SAT score for students was 1170.
• The courses are NCAA-approved for collegiate athletes who meet the eligibility standards.

4. George Washington University Online High School

Physical location: Ashburn, Virginia

Year established: 2011

Tuition: $12,000 per year

Course offerings: Provides 16 AP courses as well as education in five international languages.

Quick facts:

• All grads are accepted to four-year colleges.
• Swarthmore, Columbia, Harvard, and Stanford have all recently accepted students.
• Scholarships totaling $2.7 million have been offered to GW graduates.
• The average SAT score is 1221, while the average ACT score is 26.
• The typical graduating GPA is 3.22.

5. Laurel Springs School

Physical location: West Chester, Pennsylvania

Year established: 1991

Tuition: $1,175-1,775 (depending on course selection)

Course offerings: 22 AP courses as well as honors choices for the majority of areas.

Quick facts:

• Over 75% of AP test takers receive a "3" or higher.
• Georgia, UMich, Columbia, Cornell, and Dartmouth are among the colleges that have accepted him.
• The average SAT score was 1180, while the average ACT score was 24.6. Eighty-eight percent of instructors hold master's degrees.
• Laurel Springs students make up 72% of those enrolled.

6. CompuHigh/Whitmore School

Physical location: Morgantown, WV

Year established: 1994

Tuition: $1,599 per year

Course offerings: Does not provide AP courses, but does offer a wide range of courses (including honors alternatives) in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, the Fine Arts, and Computer Science.

Quick facts:

• Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Georgetown, Dartmouth, and Yale are among the colleges that have accepted him.
• Many serious athletes, singers, and actors/actresses are among the alumni.
• Students have the entire year to complete their courses at their own speed.
• You will meet with teachers and a guidance counselor one-on-one.
• You can pay more for extra arithmetic tutoring or guidance.

7. James Madison High School

Physical location: Norcross, Georgia

Year established: 1996

Tuition: $1,630-$2,300

Course offerings: A full high school curriculum as well as various online college dual enrollment opportunities.

Quick facts:

• Acceptances to colleges include NYU, Penn State, Pitt, Cornell, and Georgia Tech.
• James Madison works with a large number of adult students, athletes, and homeschoolers.
• The school's parent institution is Ashworth College.
• Students can transfer up to 75% of their credits, but a full year at JMHS is required to get a diploma.
• Every year, around 2,500 students graduate from the school.

8. Indiana University High School

Physical location: Bloomington, Indiana

Year established: 1925 (as distance learning school)

Tuition: $231 per course

Course offerings: Three AP courses are available, as well as language opportunities in French, German, and Spanish.

Quick facts:

• Graduates have gone on to attend Indiana University and Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Columbia.
• College Prep, General Education, and Academic Honors are the three diploma tracks available.
• Athletes with NCAA permission can train to play at a Division I or II school.
• Cognia fully accredited, which acknowledges "institutions that have demonstrated an excellent commitment to continuous development and learner outcomes."
• Courses have a time limit of 26 weeks.

9. Northstar Academy

Physical location: Southaven, Mississippi

Year established: 1997

Tuition: $4,315

Course offerings: Northstar offers 200 core courses, as well as 21 Advanced Placement Courses.

Quick facts:

• The average SAT is 1243, and the average ACT is 25.
• Approximately 70% of recent graduates enrolled in a four-year college.
• Hamilton College, Northeastern University, the University of Wisconsin, and Dartmouth College have all accepted students.
• The school is Christian in nature.
• Over 3,000 children in grades 4-12 are enrolled.

10. University of Nebraska High School

Physical location: Lincoln, Nebraska

Year established: 1929 (for distance education)

Tuition: $250 per course ($50 off for citizens of the state).

Course offerings: There are over 100 courses available, including AP and dual enrollment possibilities.

Quick facts:

• Students have been accepted to institutions such as Yale, Brown, Wellesley, Vassar, and Purdue since 2010.
• Cognia accredited, and the school satisfies NCAA standards.
• Justin Timberlake, Andy Roddick, and Brittany Spears are among the alumni.
• In 2013, the institution joined the University of Nebraska's online network and was rebranded.
• There is a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

11. Mizzou Academy

Physical location: Columbia, Missouri

Year established: 1999

Tuition: $300 per course (in-state); $500 per course (out-of-state)

Course offerings: 230 subjects, a variety of electives, 9 AP courses, and 23 foreign languages.

Quick facts:

• Currently, nearly 7,000 students from 50 states and 40 countries are enrolled in at least one course.
• MU High has graduated a number of Olympic competitors and rising sports stars.
• Graduates score a 25 on the ACT, which is more than three points better than the state average.
• The institution employs 10 course designers/developers in addition to 45 full-time instructors.
• Over the last five years, "A" and "B" grades were issued in 80% of cases.

12. The Keystone School

Physical location: Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Year established: 1974 (for correspondence courses)

Tuition: $399-549 per class

Course offerings: There are 120 high school courses available, including eight AP subjects and five global languages.

Quick facts:

• The institution currently has over 10,000 pupils enrolled.
• At least one college accepts 80% of graduates.
• The average SAT score is 1114, while the average ACT score is 22.6.
• Maria Sharapova, the tennis great, is a graduate.
• Students have gone on to attend universities such as Notre Dame, West Point, Duke, and Stanford.

13. Florida Virtual School

Physical location: Orlando, Florida

Year established: 2009

Tuition: Free (Florida residents); $800 per course (non-residents)

Course offerings: 15 AP courses and a similar number of honors courses.

Quick facts:

• Last year, FLVS serviced 240,000 (not a typo) students.
• The average SAT score is higher than the national average.
• FLVS is a unique online high school that employs a ranking system.
• It follows the same calendar as a regular school.
• West Point, Harvard, American University, Barnard College, and Babson College are among the colleges that have accepted him.

14. Oak Meadow School

Physical location: Brattleboro, Vermont

Year established: 1975 (distance learning)

Tuition: $1,545 per course

Course offerings: There are numerous alternatives within each major discipline, but no honors or AP courses are available.

Quick facts:

• There are 600 students from all over the world registered.
• Bard College, Cornell University, Northwestern University, UCLA, and Yale have all recently accepted students.
• Standardized testing is ideologically opposed at this school.
• Oak Meadow is accredited by six separate agencies in the United States, and it allows dual enrollment and will accept credit earned at other universities.

15. Christa McAuliffe School of Arts and Sciences

Physical location: Lake Oswego, Oregon

Year established: 2009

Tuition: $6,495-$9,495 (depending on level of service)

Course offerings: Provides a wide range of honors and AP options, as well as an in-house curriculum.

Quick facts:

• Graduates from the University of Michigan, Bryn Mawr College, the University of Texas at Austin, and Purdue University have recently graduated.
• Science laboratories and certain AP courses have additional expenses.
• Courses are largely mastery-based, and students must score at least 80% to pass.
• CMASAS has its own chapter of the National Honor Society.
• The "Personal Learning Model" provides students a lot of freedom in their classes.

17 Relaxing Music Videos for Calming Down Your Classroom

During study breaks, playing some soothing music might help everyone relax and refuel so we're ready to take on the rest of the day.

1. Happy Background Music for Children

Calming music to give developing minds a much-needed breather. 

2. Happy Relaxing Music for Children

After a difficult morning, this upbeat hang-drum song is the ideal remedy. 

3. Relaxing Guitar Music

Let this guitar's strumming soothe your anxieties!

4. Instrumental Background Music for the Classroom

This is a good collection of instrumental classroom background music.

5. Relaxing Music for Stress Relief

Your worries will be washed away by the undersea sounds. 

6. Calming Music for Children in the Classroom

Make a good atmosphere for learning so that people may write, read, study, or do their assignments.

7. Fine Art Music and Paintings

Set to a slide display of gorgeous paintings, the music of Debussy and others. 

8. Relaxing Music & Ocean Waves 

Busy minds can benefit greatly from the rhythmic and relaxing sounds of the ocean. 

9. Happy Relaxing Guitar Music for Children

This video's lovely plucking has such an uplifting, revitalizing feeling. 

10. Relaxing Nature Sounds

Enjoy the sounds of birds tweeting and water rushing. 

11. Minecraft Soundtrack

This musical soundtrack is excellent for a breather between courses even if your pupils don't like Minecraft. 

12. Instrumental Music to Relax

Guitar and keyboard are used in this soothing video. 

13. Morning Relaxing Music For Children

A excellent option for calming music in the classroom in the middle of the morning. 

14. Positive Background Music for Kids

The perfect video for a well-deserved rest or even for studying is really motivating and pleasant. 

15. Classical Music for Kids in the Classroom

The "Four Seasons, Concerto No. 4 in F minor" by Vivaldi is performed on the violin in this clip.

16. 3 Minute Timer with Music for Kids!

Time management can be aided by watching this tenacious three-minute timer video. To listen to classical music, visit this site. Attempt the one-minute, five-minute, and twenty-minute timers as well.

17. Relaxing Music for Children with Animals

Perfect for encouraging serenity and mindfulness as well as a love of nature and the environment.

Age Appropriate Discipline for Children

No of your child's age, it's critical to maintain consistency in your methods of correction. If parents don't enforce the rules and punishments they've established, their children probably won't either.

Here are some suggestions for changing your method of punishment to suit your family.

Ages 0 to 2

Young children are innately curious. Therefore, it is a good idea to get rid of temptations and no-nos; in particular, cleaning supplies and medications should be kept out of reach, as should stereos, jewelry, TVs, and video equipment.

When your crawling infant or wandering toddler approaches an inappropriate or hazardous plaything, calmly say "No" and either take your child out of the area or divert their attention to something more suitable.

Toddlers who need to be disciplined can benefit from timeouts. For instance, if a child has been striking, biting, or throwing food, the reason why the action is improper should be explained before taking the child to a designated timeout location, such as a kitchen chair or bottom stair, for a short period of time to calm down (longer timeouts are not effective for toddlers).

It's crucial to avoid hitting, slapping, or spanking children of any age. It is very improbable that infants and young children will be able to draw any connection between their actions and physical punishment. They will just experience the hit's anguish.

Also keep in mind that children learn by imitating adults, especially their parents. Make sure your conduct is commendable. Instead of just telling your youngster to pick up toys while your items are left scattered about, you'll leave a much greater impression if you put your own things away.

Ages 3 to 5

Make sure you begin communicating the rules of your family's house as your child matures and starts to understand the relationship between acts and consequences.

Before you penalize a child for a conduct, explain to them what you expect of them. When your 3-year-old uses crayons for the first time to decorate the living room wall, talk to them about why it's not appropriate and what will happen if they do it again (for instance, your child will have to help clean the wall and will not be able to use the crayons for the rest of the day). Issue a reminder that crayons are for paper only and then enforce the consequences if the wall is adorned once more a few days later.

Setting this type of "I set the rules and you're expected to listen or accept the penalties" standard early on will be more advantageous for everyone. Although it may be easier for parents to ignore minor transgressions or not follow through with promises of punishment, this sets a bad example. Empty threats make you look less like a strong parent and make it more likely that your kids will test the limits. Consistency is key to effective discipline, thus if parents are not single, they must jointly develop the norms and uphold them.

Be sure to reward positive actions as you define the behaviors that will be punished. Don't undervalue the impact that your praise can have; discipline is about more than simply punishing bad behavior; it's also about praising excellent behavior. For instance, complimenting a youngster for sharing their toys at playgroup rather than scolding them for not doing so is typically more successful. And instead of merely saying "Good job!" when expressing appreciation, be specific. Make it clear which behaviors you enjoyed by doing so. This increases the likelihood that they will occur in the future since our attention to a behavior increases its propensity to persist.

If nothing you do changes your child's inappropriate conduct, try creating a chart with boxes for each day of the week. Make a decision regarding how many times your child can disobey before receiving a punishment or how long the right behavior must be displayed before receiving a reward. Keep a daily record of the acceptable and inappropriate actions by posting the chart on the refrigerator. This will provide both you and your child a clear picture of how things are progressing. When it starts to work, congratulate your youngster for learning to manage bad behavior and, especially, on solving any challenging issues.

Children at this age can benefit from timeouts as well. Choose a distraction-free timeout location, such as a chair or bottom step. Keep in mind that if your room has a computer, TV, or games, sending you there won't be very effective. A timeout also involves a break from all forms of reinforcement. Therefore, when your child is in a timeout, you shouldn't pay them any attention, such as through chatting, making eye contact, etc.

Make careful to take your child's needs into account while determining the ideal duration. According to experts, a good rule of thumb is one minute for every year of age; some experts advise utilizing the timeout until the youngster is calmed down (to teach self-regulation). If you give your child a timeout because they disobeyed instructions, make sure to carry out the instruction following the timeout.

It's crucial to teach children the proper thing to do as well as the incorrect thing to do. Try saying "Please sit on the furniture and put your feet on the floor" instead of "Don't jump on the couch."

Make careful to issue concise, unambiguous instructions. Say "Please put your shoes on" as opposed to "Could you please put your shoes on?" This eliminates all ambiguity and dispels the notion that you can choose whether or not to follow instructions.

Ages 6 to 8

For this age group, timeouts and consequences are also useful disciplinary techniques.

Again, consistency and follow-through are essential. If you make any discipline commitments, keep them, or you run the risk of losing your authority. Children need to know that you truly mean what you say. This is not to imply that you cannot grant second chances or a certain amount of leeway, but generally speaking, you should follow through on your promises.

Avoid making irrational promises of punishment while you're angry ("Slam that door and you'll never watch TV again!"). If you don't follow through, your threats may all be rendered ineffective. Make sure you follow through on your threat to reverse the car and drive home if the argument in the backseat doesn't end. In comparison to a lost beach day, the credibility you'll develop with your children is far more valuable.

Massive penalties might rob you of your parental authority. Your child may not feel motivated to alter behaviour if they are grounded for a month since everything has already been taken away. Setting objectives for children to achieve in order to regain privileges that were lost due to misbehavior may be helpful.

Ages 9 to 12

As with children of all ages, this age group can be disciplined using fair punishment. Teaching kids to deal with the consequences of their actions is an effective and suitable technique of discipline as they grow older and want greater independence and responsibility.

Should you have your fifth-grader stay up late to finish their schoolwork, for instance, or perhaps help them out yourself? Most likely not, as you'll pass on a chance to impart a valuable life lesson. If homework is left unfinished, your child will report to school the next day without it and receive a failing mark.

Although it's normal for parents to desire to shield their children from errors, in the long run, doing so benefits the children. Kids who see the consequences of bad behavior are more likely to refrain from repeating similar errors. Set up some of your own to help alter the behavior, but, if your child doesn't seem to be learning from them. For this age range, taking away privileges like devices can be a good punishment.

Ages 13 and Up

You've already established the foundation. Your kid is aware of the rules and understands that the consequences for misbehavior are real. Now is not the time to relax your guard; teaching teens to follow rules is just as crucial as teaching smaller children. Your teen needs boundaries, just like the 4-year-old who needs you to establish and enforce a bedtime.

Establish ground rules for homework, friend visits, curfews, and dating, and talk them out in advance with your adolescent to avoid misunderstandings. Your teen will likely grumble from time to time, but they will also come to terms with the fact that you are in charge. Even when you give them more freedom and responsibility, kids still want and need you to enforce rules and maintain order in their lives.

It might seem like the best course of action to remove privileges when your kid does breach a rule. While taking away the automobile for a week, for instance, is fair, be sure to also go through why staying up an hour over curfew is unacceptable and worrying.

Don't forget to give a teenager some discretion. This will lessen your power battles and encourage your adolescent to respect the choices you do have to make. You might delegate authority to a younger teen so that they can choose their own clothes for school, hairstyles, and even the state of their room. That range of control may be widened as your teen matures to occasionally include a lax curfew.

It's crucial to keep your attention on the good things. Instead of imposing an earlier curfew as punishment for reckless behavior, for instance, let your child earn a later curfew by exhibiting good behavior.

A Word About Spanking

Spanking is one of the most contentious methods of punishment. Experts advise against spanking for the following reasons:

• Spanking teaches children that it is acceptable to strike out in anger.
• Spanking children can cause them physical harm.
• Instead of educating children on how to alter their conduct, spanking instills in them a dread of their parents and a desire to avoid being caught.
• The act of spanking a child who is acting out to get attention may "reward" them; after all, any attention is preferable to none.