Should I move my 2nd grade child from a chartered school to a public school for 3rd grade

My daughter is doing above average in her 2nd grade at a chartered school. I am wondering if she is missing anything in terms of sports and extra-curricular activities that might be available at a public school. I know of a public school which has the same GreatSchools rating as the chartered school she goes to; that's the root of the dilemma. She is doing well in Math, but not so well in reading and comprehension. I hear public schools are better from reading and language arts perspective. On the other hand, the chartered school she goes to has never asked me to pay anything. They supply all the material. They do not over-burden students with tons of homework. I am not sure what the public schools would demand, that too, in this state of economy. Please advise.

Parent Answers to "Should I move my 2nd grade child from a chartered school to a public school for 3rd grade"

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Thanks a lot for raising all those important points to consider. I will definitely dig little more in those areas. I know, class size is large in current chartered school, and is not getting individual or group based attention. The public school on the other hand has lesser number of students per class, but not much information is available on the other aspects.

In fact, I have found one more chartered school that is just starting this year. They are offering many bells and whistles such as smaller class size(20-25 kids per class), Core Knowledge for most subjects, and Singapore Math. The principal has a great record in earlier schools, but do not know who the teachers are going to be, although they promise to bring the best. I was impressed with the principal who did not mind spending 1 hour to discuss and explain what she is planning to do. On the other hand the principle at the public school in our area that has been rated so high does not return calls or respond. Do you think it is a good idea to give a chance to new chartered school or stick to the better rated, but not-so-well-responding public school? If it was a business deal, I would have taken a decision quickly to try the new, but I am not so sure if I should take a chance with the life and future of my daughter. Please advise.

What is the class size at her charter school and what would be the class size at her public school? What would be the overall school size at her public school vs. her charter school?
Public high schools usually abound with extra-curricular activities - it's not as common for there to be school-based extra curricular activities in grade school. You could easily check that out with a visit to what would be your daughter's public school and make an appointment with the guidance counselor or the school principal to ask about extra-curricular activities. You could also ask either one of them about reading instruction at the school but answers there aren't always as clear as "no, we don't have extra-curricular activities at the elementary level or yes, we do and here's the list.
Reading instruction in any school is murky - they will say "We use Open Court and research shows...." whether research really shows it be an effective approach to reading or not.
If a child is unhappy in their school, public or charter, they can withdraw into themselves and that can impact on their learning. If the class is very large, that can impact on learning. Are either of those the case with your daughter? Is she unhappy with her current school or is her class very large?
How is reading done at her current school? Is the class broken into groups constructed around their reading level and Teacher works with each group? Are they using basal readers or 'trade books'?
Any child in any school who needs their reading to improve can be helped and a lot by being read to at home each night for 15-20 minutes. And reading to themself for another 20 minutes in a book that's Comfortable - even below their grade level.
Whatever happens or doesn't happen at school in terms of reading instruction, a Great Deal of ground can be made up by nightly reading and the practice it offers. Good elementary school teachers should set aside time several times a week to read aloud to their class - check and see if that's a common practice at your daughter's school for if it's not, it should be.
Public school will likely not ask you to pay for a great deal even in this economy but homework is a different matter. If she were my child and happy in her school, I'd let any child who's happy in school return to that school and try to find ways in and out of school to support the extra needs she has in reading.
Good luck with your decision.

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