When you’re young, your parents typically make most of your education decisions. But as you grow and gain more experience, you start to develop your own interests and opinions. It’s normal for your perspective on your current learning environment to change as you age, especially since you are discovering new passions and discovering what works best for you.
Developing your own opinions on where you attend school is natural. In fact, 70% of teens believe that choosing where to go to school should be a decision that both the students and the parents make. By learning how to approach these conversations with family, mentors, or even school administrators, you can make a more informed and supported decision about your education.
What is School Choice?
School choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently.
School choice can give you the opportunity to find a learning environment that suits your interests, talents, and future goals. But figuring out how to talk about it, especially to your peers, mentors, or parents, can be intimidating. Whether you’re looking for a school that aligns with your passions or one that offers a more supportive learning environment, school choice may allow you to explore what’s best for you. The key is learning how to approach these conversations with confidence and clarity.
Understanding School Choice
School choice is about finding the education option that fits you best—based on how you like to learn, your personal goals, or your interests. Or on whether you choose traditional public school, public magnet school, public charter school, private school, online school, homeschooling, or microschooling. School choice gives you and your family the ability to explore different schools and programs so you can find one that matches your learning style, helps you reach your goals, and makes education feel more connected to who you are as a person.
Your Voice Matters
School choice is about finding the best learning environment for your needs, interests, and future plans. Maybe you’re interested in a school with a strong focus on technology, or perhaps you’re drawn to a school where you can participate in creative arts programs. No matter what you’re looking for, school choice is an opportunity to find the right fit for your talents and goals.
Since you are the one experiencing your education firsthand, you may have great insight into what would best fit your needs. Because of this, you should take charge of the narrative, ask questions, and share your thoughts. You don’t have to be an expert to have a say. What you need is the courage to speak up and the right tools to guide the conversation.
It’s important for students to have a say in where they attend school because, much like the decision in what career path you are taking, choosing a school that best fits your needs is super important and can affect your future, so it should be the students choice.
Madisen Janiga Nova, Conoce Tus Opciones Escolares (CTOE) Student Ambassador
Do Your Homework
Before you start any conversation about school choice, it’s important to be informed. The more you know about your options, the easier it will be to explain why a different school might be the right fit for you. Preparation helps you feel confident and shows others that you’re serious and know what you’re talking about.
Steps to prepare:
- Know your needs. What is motivating you to want to talk about your school choice options? Is it because you’re drawn to a specific program? Prefer smaller class sizes? Think that you would benefit from more 1:1 support? Be clear about what you want to change.
- Look up and evaluate schools. Research schools that pique your interests. What programs do they offer that interest you? Do they focus on subjects you’d like to hone in on? You can use our school choice priorities quiz to get a better idea about what specializations or programs may interest you more than others.
- Compare schools. Talk to your parents about visiting schools on your list to get a feel for the environment. This will give you and your parents a chance to meet with staff members and teachers to see if this aligns with what you are looking for in an educational program.
Read more: Tips for Choosing the Right School
Make sure the person you’re talking to understands what you’re hoping to achieve by choosing to attend a different school. Explain why the new school will help you meet those goals and how it will set you up for future success.
I advise students to clarify what they are looking for in a school, focusing on the opportunities available and how those schools meet students where they are.
Sofia Magallan, CTOE Student Ambassador
Approaching the Conversation
Once you’re prepared, it’s time to think about how to start the conversation. Whether you’re talking to your parents, a counselor, or others, the way you approach the discussion can make a huge difference. It’s good to remember that choosing a school is a team effort and should be approached as such. You can provide great insight into your day-to-day learning environment that no one else can. You have the chance to steer the conversation based on your experiences alone. However, your parents, mentors, and even peers can also offer great insight into your educational background and their perspectives on your educational journey. By working together, you can make a shared decision that impacts your future.
Talking Points
Talking about school choice with your parents or mentors can be intimidating, but with the right tools and talking points, you can approach the conversation with confidence. It’s important to be clear about why this decision matters to you. Below are some talking points to help you navigate the conversation:
- Highlight learning style needs. You can show that your needs may align more with another learning environment. You can say things like “X school provides more of a hands-on approach that I think would fit me better.”
- Hone in on expanding opportunities. Choosing a school that aligns more with your interests can open up potential future opportunities. You can say things like “X school offers career and technical education classes that may help me grow outside of the classroom.”
- Point out that you want a say in your education. You may feel empowered to tackle the conversation head on. You can say things like “I want to be more involved in deciding where I go to school, and I want to impact my future in a positive way.”
- Highlight that you want to prepare for the future. Having access to the right programs can make all the difference in your future. You highlight this by saying things like “I want to look into schools that offer more advanced courses that will help me build my skills.”
Stay Positive and Focus on Benefits
Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with your current school, frame the conversation around what you hope to gain from the change. For example, if you’re interested in a school with a strong arts program, you might say something like “I’ve been thinking a lot about my future, and I’d love to go to a school that has a stronger focus on the arts. It seems like this program could really help me grow in something I care about.”
The person you’re talking to may have questions or concerns, and that’s okay. Listen carefully to what they have to say and be prepared to address their worries with facts and examples. Remember, this is a conversation, not a debate. Your goal is to share your perspective and build understanding.
Sometimes, even when you’ve done all your research and are confident in your decision, you might face pushback. Maybe your parents or teachers have concerns about switching schools. It’s important to be patient and respectful during these conversations but also to provide your own experience and insight.
Common Concerns and How to Respond
Taking the First Step
With school choice, you have the chance to gain agency over your education. You have the ability to shape your learning experience in a way that works best for you. By being prepared, staying confident, and focusing on what matters most, you can make a strong case for exploring new options and fostering a partnership between you and those guiding you, like your parents or mentors.
Start with the conversations. Whether you’re talking to your parents, school counselors, or someone else, approach the topic with respect, curiosity, and confidence. It’s your education, and you deserve the chance to find the best fit for your future.
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