Choosing a school is a real education--PART 1

Choosing where to live is no small decision.  Jobs and family always play a part in that process but, for many, proximity to school, church, and healthcare facilities are just as important.  Some families will even move across the country just to provide a good education for their children.

According to wallethub.com's 2016 States with the Best & Worst School Systems, Minnesota ranks tenth for School-System Quality.  Education is important to the people here.  The Minnesota Department of Education website (MDE) lists educational options available within the public schools--alternative programs, charter schools, magnet schools, online learning, and open enrollment--and outside the system, including nonpublic and homeschools.  They provide programs for special education, students who are non-native English speakers and adults with educational needs.

Minnesota was the first state in the country to authorize charter schools in 1991 and currently has 165 charter schools in operation (A Primer on MN Charter Schools).  Nova Classical Academy Upper School, a charter school in St. Paul, is Minnesota's top-ranked high school.  Its nonpublic schools include Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist schools among its Christian denominations as well as Homeschoolers who differ from family to family.  The MDE lists helpful information for nonpublic students and parents at their website as well.

For families who prefer to send their children to schools outside their district, MN allows open enrollment.  Schools with limited space have a January 15 application deadline.  To encourage families to find the best educational option for their children, the state provides two educational choice programs: the K-12 Education Credit and the Education Deduction.  The first, enacted in 1998, provides "refundable tax credits for non-tuition educational expenses like tutoring and educational after-school programs."  The second, "enacted in 1955, allows parents to deduct educational expenses including tuition, tutoring, books, and more." (www.edchoice.org)  And, as of 15 February 2017, the legislature is considering new programs such as tax credit scholarship and educational savings accounts (go here for more information).

According to a 2015 education survey of MN voters, the state's school systems are "heading in the right direction."  (www.edchoice.org)  So, what does this mean for Rice County and nearby residents?  We will look at helpful resources and tools you may use to evaluate your school in Part 2.  For information on the MDE go here and go here for more information on new tax credit programs.

_{CREDIT: bestvalueschools.com and education.state.mn.us}