Some parents want added choice
in education for their children
By Jim Vaught Jr.
Headmaster
Providence Christian Academy
Special to GwinnettForum.com

Sept. 7, 2001 -- Having established itself as a premier public school system in the State of Georgia, Gwinnett County is also drawing national attention with its creative and thoughtful responses to the needs of students and parents. With such a fine school system, what would provide the motivation for some parents to make the sacrifices necessary to enroll their children in a private school?

A basic premise of education in the United States has included the concept of educators acting "in loco parentis" (in the place of the parents). This concept makes it important that parents be confident in their ability to partner with school personnel so the school is in the best position to act in their place.

One important issue for parents is school size. As systems have moved toward comprehensive schools, size becomes an important factor. Within the education community there is significant attention being given to overcoming the negative effects of school size. Can students, parents and staff operate in a more personal community setting in spite of the large numbers?

Parents often feel that a smaller school can provide a more nurturing and less intimidating atmosphere. Many private schools are established with this in mind. Teacher/pupil ratio is carefully monitored and a community atmosphere is encouraged to the point that students can often be served from Kindergarten through the Twelfth Grade without changing schools. Parental involvement and support are usually by-products of this community spirit.

A more foundational issue for many parents has to do with their philosophical and religious convictions. Since religious teachings and practices are important to these parents, they believe it is critical for those acting as authorities to be of like mind in terms of religious convictions. With morality and character being integral parts of religious practice, it is essential to these parents that their children be able to learn in an academic setting that incorporates their religious beliefs into the classroom.

Christian schools, for instance, seek to make a Christian world and life view central to all aspects of the school program. Since Christians believe that morality, values, and character traits have their foundation in the Bible; truth has a source through which the spiritual, physical, emotional, and social needs of students are addressed. The teachings of Jesus Christ are central to the school's philosophy of life and education.

An individual's responsibility for pursuing academic excellence is accompanied by the responsibility to serve others. With parents and staff working closely together, home and school have the potential for presenting a united front with increasing consistency. The more closely the objectives of parents and school personnel are aligned the greater the opportunity for "in loco parentis" to take place.

Any parents interested in finding the place they believe their child will be best served (public or private) can educate themselves by visiting, observing and talking philosophy with the many Gwinnett private schools. This process places parents in the best position to make the most appropriate decision.

Fortunately, Gwinnett County provides excellent choices in both public and private schools.

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