Some districts address curriculum preferences by focusing an entire school's curriculum in a particular area, such as the arts, science, traditional three R's and alternative programs. Ask about specially focused schools within your new school district. Talk with your child's prospective teacher to get a better idea of how the standard curriculum might be implemented. Special Programs You can address your child's unique needs and abilities by asking about special programs offered by the district or within each school. Special education, gifted programs, art, science, and music classes, are all special programs offered by many schools and within most school districts.
Alternative programs are classes that offer an alternative to the traditional education curriculum.
Such programs are usually parent initiated, and are the school district's attempts to accommodate parents' desire for attention to the special needs of their children. When you've done your research and applied some thoughtful introspection, talked it over with your child and other family members, and checked with members of your new community, you're ready to make an informed decision about which school is best for your child. You may not find the ideal school, but applying your ideals to the school you've chosen for your child is a way of supporting and maintaining excellence in education.