iPads in kindergarten. Indoor swimming. International travel.
The amenities offered at private schools are attractive to parents shopping for educational alternatives. During the private school application season, which typically consumes February, sometimes the extras can make the difference as families weigh their options..
After a 3 percent decline in enrollment statewide on average, Georgia private schools are expected to rebound this year bolstered by the improving economy and parents frustrated with problems at local schools exacerbated by continued budget cuts.
“Applications are at an all-time high,” said Fred Assaf, headmaster of Pace Academy, which is seeing a 36 percent jump in interest this year from applicants.
Among those parents shopping for schools is D’Angelia Grimball of Snellville. She pays property taxes to Gwinnett County, home to some of Georgia's best public schools. Recently, she toured The Westminster Schools, 40 miles away, hoping to find a place where her son who does science experiments for fun can have the opportunity to explore his passion at school.
“He’s really smart," she said. "He says he’s ready to do chemistry and biology, but at public school they want him to conform. He’s really bored.”
Parents shopping for private schools during the 2011-12 enrollment season want to see technology, excited teachers, engaged students, a selection of sports, fine arts and more.
Last year, 107,509, about 6.8 percent, of Georgia's 1.6 million K-12 students attended private school. Nationally about 11 percent of students attend private schools. Private school tuition in Georgia ranges from about $5,600 to $20,000, according to the Georgia Independent School Association.
Some of Georgia's independent schools offer trips abroad so students can actually see the countries they are studying.
Some schools offer country club style facilities. The gymnasium at The Westminster Schools has indoor rock-climbing on an artificial mountain wall, a competition swimming pool and two squash courts.
Some schools hand out laptops at the beginning of the year along with text books. The Atlanta Girls' School has been outfitting students with laptops since 2000. Holy Innocents' Episcopal School started doling them out to students in grades 5-12 in 2007. Greater Atlanta Christian School students also use iPods and iPads to enhance their education.
On a recent day, pre-1st grade student Lilly Martin shouted when she made it to Level 12 on a game that taught early math skills as she swiftly moved red, yellow and green geometric shapes across a iPad video screen determined to meet the challenge ahead. But when a comrade had fallen behind she had to lend a hand.
“This is fun," Martin said.
Julia and Phillip Sable, who are relocating from Texas, visited GAC and said that facilities and technology were at the top of their list of must-haves.
“We are impressed,” Julia Sable said.
“What does it not have,” Phillip said.
While few Georgia public schools give students laptops, they are more likely to be equipped with interactive smartboard technology in their classrooms that can bring lessons to life like video games. Such technology can be costly for smaller private schools. Some smaller campuses don't even have computers in the classroom.
Jorge Quintana, spokesman for Gwinnett County Public Schools, said Gwinnett's technology compares favorably with many private schools, as all Gwinnett schools have computers and smartboards. Some of the district’s newest schools have interactive computerized maps.
Private schools are selling other classroom amenities public schools aren't likely to ever have, especially smaller class sizes.
Indoor swimming pools and rock-climbing weren’t on Mary Lindgren’s list when she went shopping for schools for her kids at Westminster.
But Lindgren and others are often sold on the idea that private schools can offer smaller classrooms at a time when the state has allowed public schools to grow their class sizes to save money on staffing due to budget cuts.
“I never even saw the rock wall when I went on the tour,” said Lindgren, an interior designer
Assaf teaches literature at the school of 1,018 because he wants to keep a hand in the classroom.
“We have two teachers in every lower classroom because ... it allows teachers to really personalize the work for each child,” Assaf said.
Others schools tout connections along with their small class sizes.
Hopewell Christian Academy in Norcross used its connections in the dance community and recently hosted members of the internationally-acclaimed troupe Alvin Ailey, which offered a free performance workshop for students and children in the neighborhood. It attracted than 300 kids and adults, several of whom came in tights.
Atlanta Youth Academies, a small elementary and middle school with connections that teaches leadership and Christian values, has gained a reputation for being a pipeline to prestigious private schools.
The school of mostly low-income students learn to be scholars in rooms equipped with interactive smartboard technology.
Sixth grader Jahquez McKenzie, says he’s being groomed to apply to a top private high school. “I am sharp, I get As, I’m good in school,” he said. “I want to go to Lovett because it’s a good school. I met the headmaster."
Parents shopping for schools are often surprised by the opportunities for travel. Many schools have cultural exchange programs or mission trips that allow students to travel abroad for study or community service. Some have scholarships for kids who can't afford to pay.
Notre Dame Academy students go on a tour of Rome to enhance their studies of world culture.
The Ron Clark Academy partners with Delta and InterContinental Hotels to cover the expenses of the schools trips to Europe, Asia and Africa. Sometimes, students and chaperons will even stay with families to keep costs down.
"We taught our kids who recently traveled to Japan to speak Japanese for a year first," Clark said. "They also learned about Japanese economy, history, culture and religions. Our kids are so well versed before they travel around the world that they know more about the country than some of the teens there."
Kennedy Guest Prichett, 13, said she is glad her mother decided to apply to the school, which has a slide in the lobby and colorful graffiti paintings of scenes on the wall – another extra.
“I learned that I’m an adventurous person that likes to go to places that are exotic. Every place you go has history."
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