School Choice 101: 5 Steps to Understanding Your Options

Choosing a school is a big decision. There are neighborhood schools, magnet programs, charter schools, private schools, year-round calendars and more—and the options and enrollment processes can vary from one community to another. Where do you even begin?

Our advice? Start with your base school. Understanding your assigned school first gives you an important foundation for exploring other options and deciding what may be right for your child and family.

1. Understand Your Base School Assignment

Your base, or neighborhood school is the school your child is assigned to based on your home address. Before looking elsewhere, take the time to understand this option.

Learn about the school's programs, culture, calendar and community. Consider whether it could be a good fit for your child and family. Your base school may ultimately be the right choice—and even if you decide to explore other options, knowing where you're starting gives you an important point of comparison.

2. Know What Matters to Your Family

Once you understand your base school, think about your family's priorities. Is it location? School culture? A particular program? Transportation? Calendar? Arts, athletics or extracurriculars?

Consider your child's interests, needs and learning style, along with what works realistically for your family. A few clear priorities can help you focus your search.

3. Explore Your Options

Now you can look beyond your assigned school. Depending on where you live, options may include magnet schools, charter schools, specialty programs, private schools and other choice opportunities.

If you're in Wake County, explore magnet and choice school options. And wherever you live, the SchoolUp School Finder Map can help you discover schools and programs you may not have considered.

Having choices is a wonderful opportunity, but more choices don't necessarily mean a better fit. The goal is to understand your options and find the school that best aligns with your child's needs and your family's priorities. 

4. Get to Know the Schools

Once you've identified some possibilities, go beyond the school website. Visit when possible, attend open houses and get to know the school community.

Think about how each option compares with your base school and how well it fits your child's needs and your family's day-to-day life. The right fit involves more than academics.

5. Understand the Process Before You Decide

School choice isn't one-size-fits-all. Eligibility requirements, application windows, priorities, lotteries, transportation and enrollment procedures can vary by school and district. Be sure to check the most current information before making decisions.

And remember: There isn't one “best” school for every child. The right choice depends on your child's needs and your family's priorities.

Ready to Explore?

Start with your address. The SchoolUp website provides links to school assignment lookup tools for local districts, along with tools for certain choice programs where eligibility is based on your address.

Then, explore beyond your base school. The SchoolUp School Finder lets you discover magnet, charter and other choice schools throughout the Triangle.

Still unsure where to start? We're here to help. Tell us a little about your family and what you're looking for, and we'll reach out to schedule a time to talk through your school options.

Choosing a school is a big decision. We're here to help you take it one step at a time.