Which school would you choose for your children?
This one:
Our vision is that every student is encouraged, supported, and challenged to achieve the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and character.
Or this one:
Our mission is to provide an invigorating educational environment that develops responsible citizens who can artfully navigate our complex world and enjoy a good life with others. Each student will engage in diverse investigations, disciplined inquiry, and integrated service learning to cultivate intercultural awareness, creativity and mental acuity.
How much does a mission statement really have to do with my children's day-to-day education?
Is the "devil" that you know better than the "devil" that you don't know—even if the new "devil" looks pretty angelic?
Ah, the tyranny of choice. . . .
Ah, the tyranny of choice. . . .
Funny. My cousin just discussed this topic with me. They moved so their kids could attend a highly acclaimed charter school. It sounds just like the new one being built in our own county. She ended up pulling them out of the school after only 2 years. She said mission statements and vision mean nothing. Her charter school still became a bureaucratic nightmare focused on politics and money rather than students. It was interesting to hear her point of view. That being said, I sincerely hope our new school doesn't follow the same path. Good luck with your choices! I am also struggling with our choice of schooling.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has taught in multiple schools (during my student teaching and substitute teaching), in most cases the mission statements are just "there". I can guarentee the teacher's don't even know what they are. I would check out the schools and sit in classes, some schools are great, but specific teachers aren't so great. Some schools are not so great, but some of the teachers are fabulous. Gotta love it!
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