Choice Charter School Adds Value for Iowa Youth.
Yearly, approximately 5,000 Students dropout of school across our great state of Iowa. As the Founder of Iowa Choice Charter School and someone recognized as an Iowa education Leader, I find this number unacceptable. So, I asked myself: Why are young people leaving school? Upon posing this question to many of the youth in Iowa, the following responses stood out to me:
I had to take care of my Child, and I had no one to help me.
I had to work during the day to support myself.
I have a lot going on, and school is not a priority.
I cannot be in a regular school because of my anxiety. There are too many people there.
I have been bullied and harassed. Why would I want to go back there?
These voices highlight a clear need for alternative educational environments that provide safety, flexibility, and opportunity. That is what we deliver at Choice Charter.
For many Iowans, independent charter schools can feel unnecessary—even threatening.
There is a common belief that these schools take resources from Public Educational Institutions alongside the myth that investing more in existing schools could solve our challenges. However, Choice Charter School fills a critical void in Iowa education, and this Blog Post provides further explanation.
Filling a Critical Void: Addressing a Societal Need
The root causes of rising dropout rates and disengagement among youth remain complex. While cell phones and social media are typically prime contributors, a comprehensive 2023 study presents an alternative explanation that continues to gain traction. By analyzing surveys, datasets, and cultural artifacts, researchers propose that a significant factor is the decades-long decline in opportunities for Children and Teens to play, roam, and engage in activities without direct Adult supervision.
Scholarly reviews of historical texts—including articles, books, and advice columns on Child-rearing—highlight a stark contrast with past generations. There was a time when youth routinely played meaningful roles in their communities through chores and jobs. While this may sound mythical, data collected over the past 50 years shows a clear correlation: Parents increasingly admit that their Children engage in far less independent outdoor play than they once did, and there has been a significant decline in Children who independently walk, bike, and take the bus to attend school or navigate busy streets without Adult supervision. For example, a U.S. survey revealed that 48% of K-8 Students walked to school in 1969, but by 2009, that number had plummeted to just 13%.
Simultaneously, risky play and unsupervised outdoor activities—which research suggests can "protect against the development of phobias" and reduce "future anxiety by increasing confidence in handling emergencies"—are now often discouraged. This trend is significant because numerous studies emphasize that happiness during childhood and adolescence stems from fostering a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. These feelings are developed through independent play, purposeful work, and meaningful roles within Families and classrooms—all serving as vital practice for adulthood.
Whatever the precise causes, it is clear that young Children themselves intuitively recognize that something has shifted. A 2017 study found that kindergartners, when shown images of play-related activities, consistently excluded pictures featuring Adults from their idea of fun, firmly rejecting the role of grown-ups in what they perceived as a uniquely Child-centered domain.
Filling a Critical Void: Making a Difference
A Safe Place to Learn
We know and believe that safety is the foundation of effective learning. According to our most recent Condition for Learning Survey:
87% of Choice Charter School Students report having positive relationships with Adults (state average: 36%).
76.9% of our Students feel safe at school (state average: 48%).
Additionally, at Iowa Choice Charter School, everyone belongs and feels valued. LGBTQ+, Black, Hispanic, Asian, White—all are welcome here.
A Place Where Students Succeed
Choice Charter School is making a tangible impact on graduation rates:
21 Students earned their diplomas last year after previously dropping out.
4 Graduates have already crossed the finish line this year.
These successes represent more than numbers—they show lives transformed, futures reclaimed, and Families strengthened.
A Fiscally Responsible Institution
Choice Charter School operates on $43.17 per Student per day and has now secured additional Title funds. Despite the challenges, the school remains financially solvent and efficient.
A Student-Centered Approach
Choice Charter School understands that many Students face barriers that traditional schools struggle to accommodate—such as work, parenting responsibilities, and mental health challenges. By prioritizing flexibility, our school creates engaging, personalized environments where Students want to learn.
A Growing Community
Choice Charter School is meeting a rising demand. Our Student enrollment continues to grow, and we uphold our reputation as an institution that is not just a school but a second chance.
Filling a Critical Void: Reimagining Education for Youth in Iowa
Our dropout rates are not just statistics—they reflect unmet needs and systemic gaps. While societal shifts like technology, social media, and reduced independence for Children play a role, schools like Choice Charter focus on what can be changed: creating safe, welcoming spaces where Students are supported to thrive.
The success we’ve had demonstrates what happens when we reimagine education to fit Students' real lives—not vice versa. By listening to Students and adapting to their challenges, Iowa Choice Charter School proves that alternative pathways can empower youth across our state to take charge of their futures.