I think you might start by deciding first what kind of students you want to attract.
That’s a good point. I’ve put some thought into this, but not a huge amount—probably because of a flinch. To me, the real point of what I’m doing is to produce competent, mentally healthy individuals. Ideally that would include everyone, but pragmatically that just isn’t going to happen. So, whom shall I omit early on? It’s an uncomfortable question, but you’re quite right that it needs asking.
I wouldn’t so much think about omitting anyone, as focusing on who you want to attract. The default plan for most students is to attend the local public school. So, you need to think about how you are going to convince people to attend your school instead. If you are going to start a private school, you will need to convince parents who can pay tuition that it’s worth paying it and that it is better spent at your school than other available schools. If you want to start a charter, you’ll need to convince the involved government bodies to approve and fund you. You’ll have to be able to convince them that you will be filling unmet needs.
Often charter or private schools specialize. They market themselves to attract
gifted students who are bored in the public school or
students with special needs
students who don’t feel safe in the public schools
students with behavior problems
students who are trying to get into top colleges and feel that they’ll have an edge coming from there
students wanting to study particular subject matter in depth, such as music, art, science
or some combination of the above
All schools hope to produce competent, mentally healthy individuals. You’ll need to focus more tightly.
That’s a good point. I’ve put some thought into this, but not a huge amount—probably because of a flinch. To me, the real point of what I’m doing is to produce competent, mentally healthy individuals. Ideally that would include everyone, but pragmatically that just isn’t going to happen. So, whom shall I omit early on? It’s an uncomfortable question, but you’re quite right that it needs asking.
I wouldn’t so much think about omitting anyone, as focusing on who you want to attract. The default plan for most students is to attend the local public school. So, you need to think about how you are going to convince people to attend your school instead. If you are going to start a private school, you will need to convince parents who can pay tuition that it’s worth paying it and that it is better spent at your school than other available schools. If you want to start a charter, you’ll need to convince the involved government bodies to approve and fund you. You’ll have to be able to convince them that you will be filling unmet needs.
Often charter or private schools specialize. They market themselves to attract
gifted students who are bored in the public school or students with special needs students who don’t feel safe in the public schools students with behavior problems students who are trying to get into top colleges and feel that they’ll have an edge coming from there students wanting to study particular subject matter in depth, such as music, art, science
or some combination of the above
All schools hope to produce competent, mentally healthy individuals. You’ll need to focus more tightly.