The Greater Cincinnati area consists of many public school districts, some of which have a better reputation than others. Parents considering moving their families to Cincinnati are therefore advised to research their options well before making any decisions and choosing a neighbourhood. Options for private schools in Cincinnati are largely limited to religious-based education.
For expats who find neither of these options satisfactory, homeschooling is an option worth considering.
Public schools in Cincinnati
Expat children can attend public school free of charge in the US. Placement at a public school is determined by geographical location, meaning that students attend the school in the zone in which they reside. Expats with children will therefore want to ensure that they move to a good schooling district.
Private schools in Cincinnati
Cincinnati is home to a number of private schools, most of which offer education through a religious lens. Some are single-sex schools, but most are co-educational.
Each school has its own admission requirements, which may involve tests and personal interviews. Competition for a place at the best private schools can be fierce and expats should apply well in advance as places may be limited.
There are very few – if any – foreign-curriculum schools within Cincinnati itself. Expats planning to send their children to one will most likely need to search further afield in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana.
Homeschooling in Cincinnati
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular in the US. Parents who choose homeschooling for their children often do so because of the flexibility it offers.
When it comes to homeschooling, state regulations vary. In Ohio, parents must notify the superintendent of their school district prior to beginning the process of homeschooling.
Special-needs education in Cincinnati
Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) has a Student Services Department which manages special education. This department offers services to students from the age of three to 21. These services are provided regardless of whether a child attends a public or private school.
The department manages special-needs students systematically in accordance with their 'Pyramid of Interventions'. This model conceptualises intervention as being made up of three tiers, with tier one being low-intensity interventions and tier three being high-intensity interventions. Each tier has a list of possible problems a student in that tier might encounter, as well as possible solutions. If solutions provided by a particular tier prove to be inadequate, interventions from the next highest tier are considered.
Tutors in Cincinnati
Tutors are available in Cincinnati and can be hired on a short or long-term basis. Parents can either approach an individual tutor or one of the city's large tutoring companies. These companies will assign an individual tutor based on client needs.
Expat children can benefit from tutoring in a number of ways. Firstly, non-English speakers can benefit from tutors who help them improve their English while maintaining their mother tongue. In addition, tutors are a great resource for helping children catch up with the curriculum in their new school.