Why School Choice Matters
For many families, choosing a school isn't really a choice at all.
Where you live often determines where your child goes to school. If the local school isn't the right fit, the alternatives can be limited—or simply out of reach.
That reality is especially true in South Dakota.
Today, South Dakota is one of only three states in the country that still does not authorize public charter schools, alongside Nebraska and Vermont. While neighboring states such as North Dakota and Montana have recently passed charter school legislation, South Dakota families continue to have fewer public educational options than almost anywhere else in the nation.
But this conversation isn't really about charter schools.
It's about families.
Every child learns differently.
Some thrive in large schools with hundreds of classmates. Others flourish in smaller learning communities. Some need hands-on, project-based learning. Others excel in classical education, career-focused programs, language immersion, or arts-centered schools.
No single educational model is the perfect fit for every child.
That's why educational choice matters.
School choice doesn't mean one type of school is better than another. It means recognizing that children are unique, and a healthy educational system should offer different pathways to success.
Ironically, South Dakota has a long tradition of valuing local control. Communities take pride in their schools, and for many towns, the local school is the heart of community life. Those values are important and worth preserving. In fact, many experts believe that strong rural communities are one reason South Dakota has been cautious about authorizing charter schools.
But supporting public education and expanding educational options do not have to be opposing ideas.
Across the country, communities are finding ways to create innovative schools that reflect local needs—whether through project-based learning, STEM academies, arts programs, agricultural education, or community-designed schools. Even in rural states, educators and families are exploring new models because they recognize that one size rarely fits every learner.
That's part of why The Children's Collective exists.
We were founded because two parents believed children deserve more than one educational path.
We believe families should have the opportunity to choose a learning environment that reflects their child's strengths, interests, and needs. Some children will thrive in traditional classrooms. Others may flourish in smaller communities with mixed-age learning, long work cycles, hands-on projects, and individualized instruction.
Neither approach is "right" for every child.
Choice simply acknowledges that children are wonderfully different.
At The Children's Collective, we hope to contribute to a richer educational landscape in South Dakota by expanding what's possible.
But educational innovation shouldn't be reserved for families with the largest budgets. It should be available wherever children are ready to learn.
This belief shapes many of our decisions. We intentionally keep our enrollment small, offer financial aid, provide work-study opportunities, and invite families to contribute through service as well as financial support. We believe communities become stronger when excellent education is accessible to families from a variety of backgrounds.
When families have meaningful choices, children have greater opportunities to find the place where they truly belong.