This school year started off with a bit of uncertainty for everyone. Whether your child is learning at home, in a physical classroom, or through a hybrid model, you, like many parents, are navigating a variety of new challenges. You may even be feeling like your child is falling behind, either academically or socially. 

Families are pursuing private school options now more than ever and realizing that education is one of the most important investments they can make in their child’s life. While switching schools may bring about a little anxiety for parents and students alike, the results of finding the right fit are life-changing. 

Here are a few good reasons to think about making a switch.

 1. Your child needs a greater level of individual attention.

If your student could benefit from more personalized support from his or her teacher, you’re not alone. Many families inquire about Columbia Academy because we are known for small class sizes and a high level of individualized attention. We pay close attention to learning styles and cater our approach to help students experience success.

2. COVID challenges are preventing your child from reaching his/her potential.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, every school has had to make adjustments. The reality is, things are a little more complicated than they were before, but no student’s education should be compromised. If your child is struggling academically this year, we’d love to share more about our COVID-19 plan and how we are prioritizing both student success and safety.

“We would like to take an opportunity to thank you for the work that you and the CA staff have done to support students and families throughout this incredibly difficult period. We have been very impressed with the way in which distance learning has been implemented. It has been clear, transparent and purposeful throughout. Congratulations to you!  We would also like to specifically share our appreciation for Ms. Gyimah. She has done an incredible job in guiding TK B. She has not missed a step and leads her class with the patience and grace we appreciated from her during normal class. Our son still looks forward to working with her every day.” -TK Parent

3. You’re moving and looking for a great fit close to home.

We love meeting families who are planning a move, or have recently moved to the Columbia area! Relocation is a common reason for switching schools, and finding the right fit can help your family find meaningful connections and build lasting friendships. 

4. You are worried about your child’s social and emotional growth. 

Social issues often prompt parents to search for a better environment for their child. Issues like a negative culture, a lack of inclusivity, or bullying can take a toll on a child of any age. Today, some parents may simply feel that their child is not getting enough social interaction. Whatever the challenge, we would love to share more about the positive community that exists at Columbia Academy.

5. Safety is a concern. 

Every parent deserves the peace of mind that their child is safe while at school. If you are concerned about your child’s physical or emotional safety, you can take comfort in the numerous preventative measures Columbia Academy has in place. Campus security, hygiene, digital safety, and socio-emotional health are top priorities. 

6. Your current school is not very flexible when it comes to meeting families where they are.

When it comes to education in the time of COVID-19, it’s important that a school can be flexible enough to accommodate every family’s unique circumstances. At Columbia Academy, we offer both on-campus and virtual learning this school year.  If any on-campus student needs to learn from home for a time due to illness or exposure, we provide all the resources and support needed to ensure they don’t fall behind.

7. You are looking for a school that more closely aligns with your family values.

If what is being taught at home and school do not align, it is very difficult for families to play an active role in their child’s education. At Columbia Academy, character education and leadership opportunities are woven into every subject area, and students benefit from a variety of mentors in their classrooms and activities.

Whether your struggle is on this list or not, we’d love to hear more about why you’re considering a switch and the goals you have for your child. Columbia Academy offers year-round admissions, and our admissions and enrollment process from start to finish typically takes 7-10 business days. Once we have received all required documents,  an admissions decision can be made in as little as 24 to 72 hours. Download our Switch e-book to learn more about our school and your next steps.