We’ve all been through a lot this year, and one of the groups in our country that has carried a big burden for our families is the teachers. Since March, teachers have been asked to serve on the front line, adjusting to new methods of teaching and continuing to fight for our children's education even when they may have been concerned for their own health. We are so proud of our teachers as we know you are. They are the backbone of your children’s St. Barnabas education. 

The world of online education is vast, and it’s not new. For years colleges have been offering degree programs completely online, and even Volusia County Schools has had an online program for families who chose to keep their children home during normal times. But, generally speaking, primary and secondary education has always remained the same with kids attending in-person and in groups with other kids their age.

We are happy to provide two different educational options for students and their parents to choose from during this new age of COVID-19. We understand that deciding whether to send your student back to the classroom is a very personal decision for everyone, and we respect the decision that feels safest to you. Families who have opted for online education during the 2020-2021 school year may be wondering how you’re going to ensure that your child’s education stays on track without the physical presence of a professional teacher. 

The worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 is unprecedented in modern history and has forced people out of their normal daily routines and into their homes. Restaurants, municipal offices, and even schools shut their doors in a fashion similar to what we see during hurricane season. Across the state, schools closed on a mandatory basis in order to limit the number of people gathered in one place and this left lots of people scrambling to find child care solutions and nontraditional ways to educate their children.

We know for sure that private education is an asset to our students. We see it first hand every day. Our students are engaged, more successful in and out of the classroom, and have bright futures in high school and beyond. But the benefits of private schools don't end there. Private schools are known for serving a student’s whole family in ways that public schools are unable to due to their structure as well as the sheer size of their organization. 

One of the most common questions we field about private education is how much it costs and whether or not it will be affordable. We understand that all families can afford to make different financial commitments, which is why we offer scholarships to students with demonstrated need. But even with scholarships, some families find they still need to save up to make private school work for them. 

The beginning of a new semester of school is the perfect opportunity for parents to help their children set new goals and intentions for the rest of the year. This is an especially valuable opportunity for students who have fallen behind their peers or behind their capabilities so far in the academic year. Unlike the beginning of a new year which comes on the heels of a long summer vacation, the beginning of the second semester comes after only a short break. This helps many students to maintain academic focus.

Most students begin the school year with us at St. Barnabas School, but that is not the case for our entire student body. Some students join us mid-year, others still trickle in throughout the year. Anytime a student transfers into a new school during the middle of a school year, it can be a hard transition both academically and socially. 

For some families the choice is easy. They’ve already decided their children are going to either public or private school and there is very little other decision making required. But for most families, it isn’t that simple. They must weigh the cost, quality, and accessibility of their children’s education, and in our experience, those decisions often come down to the following four issues.