Why Parents Choose Charter Schools

A 2022 study conducted by Harris Poll surveyed 5,000 parents in the U.S. indicated parents want to have a say in where their children attend school. Since the pandemic, parents have become more involved in their children’s education. In 2021, 240,000 students were newly enrolled in public charter schools.

In this episode, we chat with the CEO of Rainer Valley Leadership Academy (RVLA) in Seattle, Washington, Baionne Coleman, and RVLA parent, Nicole Franklin on why some families choose charter schools. We covered the topics of academic rigor, sense of community, and a culturally affirming environment.

Takeaways
The Three Pillars of their curriculum; anti-racism, leadership, and collaborative community
The top reasons why parents put their children in Public Charter Schools
The experience of having a child in a Public Charter School and also being a part of the community

Quotes
What benefits the community benefits our scholars. - Bayonne Coleman

I think it is important as a parent to feel welcome at a school, be involved, and be a part of the community - Nicole

Featured in the Episode
Baionne Coleman
Chief Executive Officer, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baionne-coleman-569160139/

Nicole Franklin
A Dedicated Rainier Valley ParentChapters

00:00 Introduction
02:17 How are culturally affirming schools helpful to students?
05:05 Reactions from students and parents in regard to these routines
06:46 The three pillars: anti-racism, leadership, and collaborative community
12:34 Describing the pride rubric, and its impact on scholars
14:52 The top reasons
18:06 Choosing Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
20:37 How the school met the needs of the students
22:37 Nicole’s son and his experience attending RVLA
27:39 Final Takeaways