How To Pick The Right Private School

A lot of parents are getting bamboozled by surprise leftist institutions ruining their kids. Don’t let yourself be one of them.

J. Kevin Jenkins | October 11, 2026

Except for a brief but meaningful period working construction, I have worked continuously for three decades as an educator in a variety of public and private institutions, serving in teaching and leadership roles.  As such, I feel bad for the Turpin family after reading Doug Turpin’s description of his conflict with Charlotte Latin School.  However, alarm bells went off when I read the title of his AT post: “Private Schools Should Not Be Able To Expel Children Because Their Parents Ask Questions.”

Upon reading Mr. Turpin’s description of some of the school’s practices, any conservative would be bothered, as I was.  But I suspect that it may be misstating the case to suggest that merely asking questions will get your kid expelled from Charlotte Latin.  It’s much more likely that Mr. Turpin kept asking uncomfortable questions and refused to accept the school’s answers.  I make that point not to quibble (nor because I support the school, because I don’t know all the facts), but because it is important to clarify issues before making assertions about what private institutions should be “able” to do.

As I see it, there are two basic aspects to this conflict: 1) Were the Turpins mistreated by the school, and 2) if they were mistreated, what is the proper remedy?

As to the first point, that should be easily discernible.  Any private school with the success and standing of Charlotte Latin will have an enrollment contract that parents sign after their child has been accepted as a student.  Like any contract, it will specify the quid pro quo to which the parents and school are agreeing, and the........

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