The coronavirus wreaked havoc on school districts — closing campuses for the remainder of the school year and shifting students and parents to online learning. We made it through to the finish line and now we turn our thoughts to the fall and what the following school year will hold for our children. When it comes to sending our little scholars to school, we face a plethora of Baton Rouge school options, that’s where the Red Stick Schools Guide can help!
One thing is for sure, our children deserve a quality school. And we deserve to choose which school earns the right to educate our children and prepare them for the next grade level and eventually… the rest of their lives.
Red Stick Schools Guide
To simplify the school choice process, parents need to learn what to consider and how to evaluate their options.
One very important thing quality schools do is hire strong teachers who are engaged and committed to students’ success. And good teachers are critical in helping student achievement.
Which makes sense because, quality schools, along with great teachers, also ensure that ALL students master concepts in their English, math, and science classes — passing prepared for the next school year.
That’s where understanding school performance scores, or SPS, comes in — measuring how the school’s students score on state tests (like the LEAP 2025) and student progress (in other words: how many students are prepared for their next grade level).
School scores — expressed on a scale of 0-150 — are also expressed in letter grades ranging from A-F.
Now, more than ever, it’s important that families understand what makes a quality school. And the Red Stick Schools Guide and www.redstickschools.org are great resources that help families make the most sense about school scores, enrollment windows, admissions, and student eligibility.
While matching a quality school to your children’s educational needs is a key step, it’s also important when looking for that next school that parents understand these key factors regarding quality:
– Is my child currently performing at grade level?
– Is my child ready for his or her next grade?
Combined: your child’s report card and their school’s SPS or student performance score, are strong proof points regarding quality.
If you’re unsure of your child’s current school’s performance score or would like to research the next school your family is considering for your child, visiting www.redstickschools.org/choosing-a-school/ is an informative first step in that journey.
Zi Howard 
