Basics of Private School
Level 1 - Baby Steps
Welcome!
One of the most common questions parents ask is whether to send their kids to private schools. Although found more abroad, the challenge of deciding if private school tuition is worth the costs as opposed to “free” public education is a distinctly western challenge.
Let’s preface by saying that there are no right or wrong answers, but there are circumstances where one has a distinct advantage over the other.
For simplicity’s sake, we will only discuss private vs. public, and not the various types of schools (e.g., boarding vs. religious private schools).
Part 1: The Basics
Before we dive into the ins and outs of a private school, lets begin with the basics.
A public school is primarily funded by local, state, and federal funds, while a private school traditionally relies on tuition or non-public sources of funding.
Because public schools are publicly funded, they cannot turn students away, and there are no “admissions” requirements to attend a public school (with some exceptions). Private schools are free to have requirements and to not allow specific students to attend.
From a requirement standpoint, private schools do not have to abide by the same rules as public schools. For example, private schools can hire teachers that may not meet requirements that public schools have. Private schools also do not have to provide the same services as public schools, such as special education services.
Understanding how different private and public schools differ is critical to making the right decision for you and your family.
Part 2: What Advantages Do Private Schools Offer?
Private schools can offer several advantages over public schools.
Private schools can provide specialized curriculum
Private schools do not have the same constraints that public schools do. Public schools have to serve the public - making them inherently more general in nature. But private schools can offer specialized services tailored to a unique niche. For example, a private school can service only students with learning disabilities.
Private schools can provide specific environments for students
If you are looking for a unique learning environment, private schools can provide that. For some families, school is an opportunity to provide learning in a specific environment. For example, some families want a religious education alongside the traditional education.
Private schools avoid the need to live in a specific neighborhood
Public school assignment is often based on where a family lives. That can be fine, but if the public school near you is not particularly strong, you can be stuck with limited options on where to attend. Private schools don’t have the same limitations. As long as you can get to the school (and some will have buses or coordinate car pooling), you can attend.
Part 3: Key Considerations
When you consider private schools, you need to think through a few things:
Do you need private school?
Can you afford private school?
What do you want to get out of private school?
How long do you want to go to private school?
What type of private school are you interested in?
Answering these types of questions can be critical to determining whether private school is right for you and if it is, the right kind of private school.