Redefining 'Public' Schools

By Lynn Olson

First in a five-part series

When Linda Armstrong's first five children were growing up in Milwaukee, they basically had one option for getting an education: the public school nearest their home.

This coming fall, Ms. Armstrong plans to send her 11-year-old daughter to a district-run school that offers a gifted-and-talented program. Her 9-year-old son will attend an Afrocentric charter school sponsored by the city of Milwaukee. Her 5-year-old grandson, meanwhile, attends a private school that participates in the city's voucher program.

"I've been in the school system for about 20 or 25 years," Ms. Armstrong said. "This is the best that I've seen. The options have grown immensely, and I really do credit the...