Back to School - Private schools give parents options

One option that some families choose is a private education. While most private schools are accredited by the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges, there is more leeway for teaching and testing styles.

A high quality education comes at a price though. Because private schools are not funded by the state or through taxes, it is up to the school and families to come up with funds to provide students with the best education.

In Saratoga Springs there are various options for a private education. One of the choices is Saratoga Independent School or more commonly known by its community as SIS.

SIS was founded in 1991 and was organized around the belief that all children learn differently and at a different rate than their peers. Because of this belief, SIS is organized by multi-aged learning groups, not specific grades. The school teaches a kindergarten through sixth grade curriculum that allows children to progress at their natural pace.

“Not all children learn to walk or talk at a specific age. The same goes for learning,” Education Director Felice Karlitz said.

This fall, approximately 55 children will be attending to school at 459 Lake Avenue. The mission of SIS is to empower each student to become a confident learner who is capable of critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork in an increasingly complex world.

“We strive to provide a warm and nurturing environment and help our students develop a strong sense of community,” Karlitz said.

The school’s motto is “we take care of ourselves, each other, our school and our community.” This motto is instilled into the students through daily community meetings, group work, hands-on projects and field trips.

By fall 2009, the SIS community is slated to grow to include a middle school curriculum. An expansion is currently underway

“Through the efforts of parents and the community, we are hoping the expansion is done in time for the next school year. The SIS community is so thankful to everyone who had donated to the project,” Karlitz said.

Just up the road from SIS is St. Clement’s Regional Catholic School, a religious based elementary school. The mission of St. Clement’s is to provide students with the best education in a caring and spiritual environment while challenging them to realize their full potential as intelligent and responsible members of the community.

To ensure a quality education, St. Clement’s is accredited by the Middle States Commission for elementary schools and all of the teachers are certified through the New York State Department of Education. Students also take all of the New York State tests and are taught following New York State educational standards. Students also partake in daily religious studies.

After elementary school, students who still wish to have a private education can attend Saratoga Central Catholic, located on South Broadway. Saratoga Central Catholic also follows the mission of the Catholic Church while giving students a rigorous education in preparation for college.

“We are a college preparatory school and we encourage our students to attend the best colleges possible so they can give their skills back to the world once they are adults,” Principal Christopher Signor said.

Students are required to take four years of math and science, something that is not required in public schools. All seniors are also required to take Advanced Placement English, and Signor said it is his goal to have all students take at least four AP classes before they graduate.

“Our students also take the Regents Exams, but we take their education above and beyond the state regulations,” Signor said. “Our students go to some of the best colleges in the country and that is something we are very proud of.”

Students who wish to attend the same school without having to relocate from elementary school to middle school and again from middle school to high school can attend The Doane Stuart School, an interfaith Catholic/Protestant Independent School located in Albany.

Formed in 1975, The Doane Stuart School is a coeducational school that strives for an excellent education while preparing students for college.

“The mission of Doane Stuart is education. In a college preparatory context, where the joy of discovery is valued, Doane Stuart emphasizes serious study, educates to social responsibility, and lays the foundation for a strong faith,” Headmaster Richard D. Enemark said in a statement.

While private schools come at a cost, there is no price tag for a quality education. Saratoga County has a number of successful private and independent schools that give children a strong foundation to become a successful adult.