Schools and community: children learn from both

In my community, as I’m guessing is true for many across the nation, this is the time of year when parents are registering their kids for the next school year. For some, it means choosing between schools, entering lotteries, and unfortunately, making decisions between sending your child to the school you are zoned for, or moving.

Though there’s not enough room here to review all the factors that go into what should be weighed when considering where your child goes to school, I do want to lift up one: community. Because I have seen all too often that people do not take community into account when making the school decision.

At the end of the day, when you have a choice, you seek to make the best decision for your child and your family. Sometimes the choices and deciding factors are black and white regarding your child’s learning style, resources available at the school, whether the school is meeting standards. But community, for most, lies in the gray area, if it is a factor at all.

And let me go ahead and disclaim with the fact that I do recognize these decisions are personal for each family. So I’m not judging here. I’m simply saddened that more people do not see their community as a critical factor in the school choice. I’m saddened that more people do not believe that the community you started building the moment you moved into your home, when you met your neighbors and when you started making friends and building relationships in your neighborhood – that community is just as important to your child as a quality education. I don’t get that more people don’t believe that community IS education.

If all else is equal, and you are happy with everything else in the community you chose, why should that change because the school isn’t exactly perfect? In fact, why isn’t the community enough to encourage you to MAKE your school more perfect?

No, I am not on a high horse. I know not everyone can be the parent mavericks that go in and help turn a school around. I’m not sure I could. But I wish more people would consider working with the school they have in order to maintain, no, strengthen their community for their children. Again, I know many times there are many reasons a family decides it is best to move. There may be many things that have not panned out like you thought it would about the community you initially chose to live in. But if you love your neighborhood and community, why give it up so readily for a “better” school? 

I love my community. My son is not at a perfect school. In fact, it is very much a school in transition. When and if we make a change, even, our other choices are not any more perfect. But I do think any of the choices we have, in this community, would be great for him. I wouldn’t give up this community for the best school in Atlanta. I really wouldn’t. Maybe I’m selfish. Or, maybe my husband and I value our community, and more so, our community's impact on our children’s upbringing, just as much as we value their education.

Schools and communities are so closely intertwined and interdependent. Many times one is stronger than the other, but if you have patience, and a passion for both, they will balance out. The school will pull up the community, and yes, the community will eventually pull up the school. I wish more people could see that and give community a chance. Your child will learn so much from it.