We hear it all the time when we talk to parents.

“I love the idea of personalized attention for my kids, but don’t they have to give up on playing school sports? I’m not sure that works for my babies.”

‍

“The charter schools seem like great academic options, but extracurriculars really motivate my child to do well in school. I don’t think we can make the jump and risk going without those programs.”

“All those charter schools seem…unique. My kid needs structure.”

‍

For a lot of parents, the pros of Stockton’s public charter schools resonate immediately––partnership with parents, teachers who care, learning environments centered on student needs, schools with a track record of preparing their graduates for college.

‍

But, the thinking goes, if Stockton public charter schools are reimagining education, what happens to the parts of a traditional school experience that really work for my kid? What, parents wonder, do I have to give up?

‍

And so even as we are proud that our schools are reimagining education, we should highlight an important point:

‍

Not every public charter school has an academic program that will be unrecognizable to parents familiar with traditional public schools. The difference is often about how students are supported at a school. Some of our schools offer more nontraditional academic programming. Others, less so. For instance:

‍

• Students at Stallworth Charter School have access to small class sizes and a tight-knit team of educators who provide individualized support to students through close collaboration with one another. And after school, Stallworth students can participate in the school’s highly-regarded choir or jump into any number of clubs.

‍

• A school day for a KIPP University Park MS student includes participation in a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum, supported by educators who meet student needs by studying their data and learning their motivations. And on the weekend? You better believe that UPMS gets buckets.

‍

So it’s true that our schools are unique––they are shaped by creative teachers, supportive families, and brilliant students. That doesn’t mean, though, that we don’t do sports.

‍

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to explore the stories of all our STAR Collective schools, and head over to the Organizations page to dive into our schools one by one.

‍

Follow us on Instagram at @stocktonchartercollective

Like us on Facebook at Stockton Charter Collective

‍