Alternative Education Information

Tonight I’m taking my son to an open house at Dealey Montessori, a specialized, or “alternative” public school in North Dallas. I believe it’s a charter school - but honestly, I don’t know. Is it a magnet school? And what’s a “vanguard”? I’m going to admit something here: I don’t know the difference between magnets and vanguards and charter schools. So, I decided to look this up and set the record straight. I was thinking that maybe – and I could be taking liberties here – you also may not know your alternative public school terminology, like me, and need some help.

After some reading, I feel like I’ve become much better acquainted on the different kinds of alternative education schools. To wit:

1.    A Charter school is a publicly-funded elementary or secondary school that is freed from many of the rules, regulations, or codes of normal public schools, the stipulations of which are included in the school’s charter. In exchange for freedom from bureaucracy, the charter school promises the public a special outcome for the students, most usually academic excellence. While the schools can have areas of concentration – arts, math, etc. – it’s not necessary for charter schools, and many don’t. Charter schools are usually created by teachers or parents or nonprofits who desire an educational environment of excellence. Space is limited and admission usually conducted through a lottery.

2.    Magnet schools are wholly locked within the public school system. But instead of being district-based, magnet schools operate outside the location system and attract students by offering areas of concentration that students may not receive at their regular public school. Distinguishing characteristics: magnets usually have alternative instruction methods like Montessori ( now I know what I’m seeing tonight), they offer to attract students outside of their district, resulting in greater racial and socio-economic diversity, and their admissions usually involve some kind of testing. Magnet schools have become havens for the gifted/talented children looking for greater attention than a regular public school can offer them.

3.    An independent school is a fancy word for private school.

4.    “Vanguard” is what they call the elementary, or lower school at Dealey Montessori. International Academy is the junior high, or seventh and eighth grades.

5.    The Montessori Method, created by visionary teacher Dr. Maria Montessori, is “a revolutionary method of observing and supporting the natural development of children,” according to the Montessori International website. Montessori favors individualized learning and concentration over group lessons led by the teacher; they group different ages of children together, like first, second and third graders together in one classroom. The intended result is students who are independent thinkers and learners.  

Armed with this knowledge, I feel better. Tonight, I’m visiting a Dallas ISD magnet school. I’ll report on my findings tomorrow.