Seven Questions To Ask Before Choosing A Charter School
1. What Are The School’s Values And Philosophy?
Selecting a school that aligns with your family's beliefs and values is crucial. At Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, we prioritize providing an inclusive and secular educational environment that respects diverse perspectives and fosters critical thinking skills. In addition to hands-on, experiential instruction, we will provide clearly defined pathways for our diverse student body to enter aviation and aerospace careers.
We encourage parents to explore our educational philosophy to ensure it resonates with their own.
2. What Is The School’s Mission?
The charter school you select should have a mission and a governing emphasis that they’re passionate about, guiding the way in which they lead their students. This mission most likely governs every aspect of the curriculum: from the classes to individual interactions between students and teachers, even to school announcements. You want to be sure it is something that you agree with for your family.
Our mission at Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School is to prepare our diverse student body for leadership positions in the aerospace and aviation industries through a rigorous, authentic, industry-aligned aerospace and defense education. We are committed to nurturing students' intellectual curiosity, fostering creativity, and promoting civic responsibility.
We strive to create clearly defined pathways for our diverse student body to enter aviation and aerospace careers, and also to become a widely respected source of leaders for the industry.
3. What Are The Class Sizes?
All schools are going to differ in the number of classes and the number of students in each class. This allows for significant differences in the experiences of those attending all of the various school systems.
However, when it comes to class size, smaller ones seem to be better.
There are many studies in which students report a higher amount of student participation, enjoyment, and learning when taught within a smaller class. This research indicates that smaller class sizes can enhance student engagement and academic performance.
At Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, we maintain smaller class sizes than many public schools, to facilitate personalized learning experiences and foster meaningful connections between students and educators.
4. How Does The School Encourage Community?
The sad fact is that for many students in America, a school is just a place in which they are confined for many hours of the day until they are inevitably let loose in order to spend time with their actual community.
A school that truly cares about its students should instead focus on building a community inside of the academic sphere. School should be a place where your student feels at home and is able to feel heard and connected.
When discussing community-building with the school, it is a good idea to ask questions such as:
- What activities do you have that encourage community?
- What opportunities are there for parents to get involved?
- What types of programs are there in which my students can get involved in order to make friends and learn valuable life skills?
- What events do you host in which my students will be able to involve other members of their circles of influence, such as family, friends, and neighbors?
We recognize the importance of building a supportive and inclusive community within our school. Through various extracurricular activities, sports, service projects, and collaborative STEM learning opportunities, we strive to create a sense of belonging and connectedness among our students, parents, and staff members. Our goal is 80% participation in school engagement opportunities (sports, clubs, and student-led organizations).
We track this through measurably high approval ratings on student, staff and parent culture and climate surveys.
5. What Is The School’s Location?
Another obvious item to consider when it comes to selecting a school for your student is the actual location of the school. For some, a long commute is a wonderful opportunity for familial bonding, engaging discussion, and quiet contemplation. For most, however, a long commute quickly becomes an exhausting excursion into monotony.
Before choosing a charter school, keep in mind that this will be a commute that your student will experience several hundred times a year. Thirty minutes will quickly feel like an eternity when done ad tedium.
Another aspect of location is the quality of the area that the school is located in. Some schools with quality education programs are unfortunately impacted by the negative atmosphere surrounding the school, such as those in dangerous neighborhoods, those stuffed into tiny corners of crowded cities, or those located out in the far reaches of nowhere.
Convenience and safety are key factors to consider when evaluating a school's location. Situated in Bessemer, AL, Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School offers easy access to quality education in a welcoming and vibrant community.
6. How Does The School Implement Technology?
In today's digital age, proficiency in technology is essential for success in STEM, aerospace, and aviation fields. At Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, we embrace technology as a tool for enhancing learning experiences while also emphasizing the importance of responsible technology use and digital literacy skills.
Incorporating technology into the learning process is essential for preparing students for success in the digital age. At Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, we leverage innovative educational tools and resources to enhance student learning, while promoting responsible technology use.
7. How Does Your Student Feel?
Ultimately, your child's happiness and comfort are paramount. While parental input is important, we encourage families to involve their children in the decision-making process and prioritize their feelings and opinions. Our goal is to create an educational environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Which Charter School To Choose In Bessemer, AL?
At Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, we are committed to providing a dynamic and enriching educational experience for our students. We believe our students will be best prepared to succeed in the global aviation and aerospace industry if they are skilled in the art of weighing perspectives, communicating effectively, and exploring globally.
If you would like to learn more about our school or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!