A new charter school (Inner Banks Innovation Academy) is in the works in Beaufort County, and at a recent public meeting in Chocowinity, concerns were apparent with some people in the crowd.

Charter schools across the nation get a bad wrap for “taking the good kids away from public schools.” A charter school’s arrival is often seen as a threat, rather than something positive.

In reality, however, this type of school perhaps should be viewed as a welcome addition to any area and just another option for a child’s education.

As most educators can attest, no one student is the same as another, and by the same token, he likely doesn’t learn the same way, either. Students thrive at different classroom paces and in different learning environments.

While public schools are vital to a community, it is hard for educators to meet every child’s needs in the public school setting. Between testing and state mandates, there is not a lot of wiggle room left. Public schools also typically offer a lot of day-to-day structure.

Charter schools have to follow certain state rules, as well, but they offer a more independent and more personalized learning environment for students. In the case of Washington Montessori Public Charter School, the Montessori philosophy offers a child-centered approach that focuses on all aspects of the child.

The point is that options are a good thing.

Charter schools are not infringing on the public schools. They are simply another choice for parents to consider. There are pros and cons to both charter and public schools, and there are certainly good educators and students at both, too.

Beaufort County is lucky to have its public schools, along with a charter school option and private schools. Especially in a Tier 1 county, it’s good to have different educational environments.

One environment is not better or worse than the others. It comes down to what is best for the child.