School Directory

CityView Magazine 2023-2024 School Directory 3 With all of the private school options, there are questions to ask to find the right fit: • What are their requirements for uniforms? There are a few that offer dress codes, not uniforms and others that require specific brands or monogrammed logos. This is a comfort level for you. Some children prefer being able to dress on their own, while others find ease in polo shirts and khakis. • What does tuition cover? Uniforms are a given to be paid for outside of tuition, but what about school supplies, field trips, book or resource fees, sports and special programs? • If allergies are an issue, how will your child be cared for? What is the policy on having prescription or emergency medications at school? Is there a nurse on staff? • What sports are offered and what grades can participate? Schools like Village Christian Academy offer tennis, golf, baseball, softball, soccer, cross country running and swimming. • What "extras" are offered including art, languages, any academically gifted programs? • Does the school offer college counseling in high school? Schools like Fayetteville Academy have a full-time college counselor and often host information programs for parents. • And if you have a child who learns differently, what special education programs can they offer, or do they have teachers who are trained to work with children with special learning disabilities? Online or in-person tours are available at most schools. Looking at the facilities, meeting teachers and checking over the curriculum can help you narrow your choices. Asking friends for referrals can help explore firsthand experiences. Mark your calendars, especially for the preschool applications, because there is usually a waiting list with a few of the schools. With that, the time to look is now and apply early. Tuition is a huge deterrent for some families, who can look at the yearly rates with alarm; however, there are scholarships and other financial aid available. Contacting the school admission office is an important first step for learning your options. There is also help through the state. North Carolina offers two scholarship programs that help families afford private education. New applicants are entered into a lottery for parents who qualify based on income or who have students with disabilities. The Opportunity Scholarship program, if your family meets the income requirements and other criteria, can help cover tuition and fees up to $6,168, per year. Last year, the Disabilities Grant and Education Savings Account, which were programs for children with disabilities, documented with an individualized education program dated within the last three years, combined into one program called the Education Student Accounts (ESA+). The ESA+ program can provide up to $17,000 for tuition and other expenses such as speech therapy and tutoring services. Families can apply to more than one program, if they are eligible. More information can be found through the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority at https://www. ncseaa.edu/. If you have more than one child, check with the school admissions office for a sibling discount as well. Schools like Northwood Temple Academy offer multiple child discounts that range from 15% for the second child to 30%t for additional children. It will vary from school to school. Most schools also offer payment plans where you can choose your comfort level. Homeschool Homeschooling is also an option for those families who want to bring their education into their homes and have more control over the child's curriculum and pace to meet their individual needs. There is a strong homeschooling community here and quite a few local resources, including social media support and field trip or sports collaborations. You will want to be very familiar with this site: https://ncadmin.nc.gov/citizens/home-school-information for requirements and join the various local Facebook groups like N.C. Homeschooling or Fayetteville Homeschool Adventurers. Finding the right learning environment that best meets the needs of your child is the goal. Whether a school is private, public or a charter, it is important to find the right fit for your child and your family. n Izaihes Villegas at Cumberland Polytechnic High School. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Schools

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