National School Choice Week: A School Free From Violence

Israel Ortega / January 27, 2011

Good teachers, high academic standards, location and even the quality of extracurricular activities are all factors that go into choosing the right school.  But for some parents, violence is also a key factor in deciding where to send their child for a quality education.

Violence and crime have no place in an institution that exists to foster learning and creativity.  Sadly, this is not always the case as many of our country’s public schools suffer because of violence, crime and drug and alcohol abuse.  In fact, a recent study found that that 11.3 percent of Washington D.C. high school students reported being “threatened or injured” with a weapon while on school property during the previous year–a rate well above the national average.

For some parents, the answer to escaping violent environments is choosing to send their children to another school where violence and safety is not interfering in a getting a quality education.

Unfortunately, some parents simply don’t have this option. (more…)