Fulshear-Katy Community Guide & Directory 2023-24

Forging a New Path by Shea Kummer

the appeal of private schools is multi-faceted, as they can approach children as individuals and adjust their curriculums according to what their institution deems appropriate for their unique student body. Says Bickerstaff, “The biggest difference — besides religion — is the intentional focus on differentiating instruction to meet the needs of each child, both strengths and weaknesses.” Rebecca Gaubatz, Simonton Christian Academy Campus Administrator, says, “Here at SCA, we have noticed that families want the Christian values, faith-based lessons, small class size, and differentiation that we can offer. It is also evident that families are doing what is best for their children regarding education, even if that means having them all at different schools. For example, one family may have their three students enrolled in a Christian school, a public school, and a hybrid learning environment to meet the individual needs of each child.”

Today’s world rarely reflects what generations from the Baby Boomers through Millennials remember from their youth. Parents and grandparents see the significance of keeping God in the classroom. In response to the trends she sees at Simonton Academy, Gaubatz says, “We also are able to teach from the Bible and follow the word of God in all aspects. These would be the two biggest differences between a public and private school, as we still use research-based instructional practices and quality instructional resources that are aligned to standards.” Dr. Don Davis, Head of School of Second Baptist School, shares those sentiments. “Over the last six years, Second Baptist School has crystallized our values and developed a Portrait of a Graduate to guide our education. Today, we are stronger as a community and experiencing unprecedented success in academic achievement, college acceptances, artistic expression, athletic achievements, and decisions

T he state of education seems to change almost monthly these days. From the introduction of technology at all grade levels, to online testing, to changes in the curriculum and beyond; the one constant is parents want what is best for their children. With a plethora of options for all ages, parents are taking a stand and choosing what works best for their child’s individual needs. Most children enrolled in a public school will thrive in that setting. Our local districts, both scoring an A for the last school year, are some of the best in Texas, with incredible faculties and administrations ready to accommodate your child at every level. Charter schools are also gaining in popularity, and perhaps one of the most notable changes is the increasing interest in area private schools. Once the cap and gown come off at the end of their high school days, students then decide what is best for their hopes and dreams for the future. The landscape of higher education does not look the same as the decades prior. It is becoming more acceptable for the new graduate to take some time and evaluate their next best move. During that break, students can still earn credits to go towards a future degree. Options await new grads at all corners of our area as well. UPTICK IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Nationwide, America’s public schools have lost at least 1.2 million students since 2020 for various reasons, according to The New York Times. Additionally, 55 percent of private schools that responded to a survey by Cato Institute reported an increase in enrollment between the 2021-22 and the 2022-23 school years. Locally, Simonton Christian Academy notes a 70.8% increase in enrollment since 2019. Jeanna Bickerstaff, the Assistant Principal of Faith West Academy, has seen growth in the private sector here as well, noting, “One of the biggest changes we have seen in enrollment has been the number of students entering Faith West during the school year as opposed to the typical August start date.” The days of students of varying ages gathered into one-room schoolhouses went by the wayside along with the cotton gin. As the American education system grew, the emphasis on what information growing minds could absorb and retain was fine-tuned by each age group. Individual grade levels were created and the need for larger schools to better educate growing communities became necessary. If the growth of education and the importance of literacy, along with mathematics, science, and history, tells us anything, it is that not every child is a cookie-cutter copy of their peers. This is an ongoing and individualized process unique to each child. Thus

FULSHEAR-KATY COMMUNITY GUIDE & DIRECTORY 2023-24 ISSUE 65