Private School vs. Public School

By East Catholic High School

The decision on whether or not to send your child to a private school is a big one.

What sets private schools apart from public schools?

One thing is that private schools offer a higher bar.

A major advantage to private education is that your child will likely be challenged to a higher academic standard. Private schools can be more academically rigorous than public schools, and private school students may have to meet more criteria to keep up their grade point averages. More can be expected of private school students in terms of quality of work, course workload, and special requirements – such as community service or arts participation.

In some schools, what would normally be considered extracurricular activities, are prerequisites for graduation, which ultimately round out students’ high school experience. The push to meet this higher standard often results in a greater level of student performance. In general, a student given the opportunity to attend a private school will most likely reach a higher level of academic achievement.

The student to teacher ratio is another benefit of private schools.

Private schools tend to focus on controlling their class sizes. Students of private schools may have more opportunities to form relationships with their teachers, which can lead them to greater academic success. In such cases, a student is given help for his or her specific academic problems, which can allow the issue to be resolved quickly and correctly. Once any issues inhibiting a student’s progress have been addressed, the child can go on to achieve at his or her highest level.

Also, small classes allow the teachers to have a better sense of who your child is, and what his or her specific strengths and weaknesses are. Your child will also have more opportunities to speak up and participate in class discussions. In addition, students may be offered office hours during which the teacher will be available. Students who have worked closely with their teachers are less likely to feel intimidated about using such time to actively seek help from their teachers directly.

Students in a private school will often have better exposure to the arts.

Private schools have the ability to create their own curriculum. Although, they must ultimately prepare students with the same basic course as any other school, private schools also have the option to add various elements to their programs. Private school administrators often develop programs that emphasize the arts, perhaps more so than local public schooling options. Schools may choose to produce elaborate plays and musicals, giving students unique opportunities to explore their talents and express themselves.

Government regulations on public schools prevent them from spending more than a certain percentage of school funds on the arts. Private schools, however, are not subject to the same regulations, and they have more freedom to develop and expand these programs as they wish.

Private school students will have more growth opportunities than public school students.

The tuition that you and the other parents of a private school contribute will often go toward developing and funding special programs that would be restricted in public schools. The school may be able to offer other activities such as special field trips that reinforce the school’s curriculum. Such trips can give your child opportunities to form close friendships and build independence. The school may have more funds available to provide supplies to student-run clubs. The school also may create programs that better tie the arts or sciences into the overall general curriculum.

Private high schools can instill their students with the expectation of attending college.

With college as a focus, students can be more goal oriented, and often, elements of the school’s curriculum will be specifically aimed at preparing your child for college. Many private schools are even referred to as “college preparatory.” Private schools often encourage their students to take an active role in their own college admission process. Students may be given more access to information about college options, and they may be made more aware of the requirements they must fulfill to qualify for a specific school.

Private schools often put a major emphasis on personal values.

When choosing a private school for your child, it is possible to find a school that incorporates a great deal of your own values into its everyday curriculum. Private schools often have honor codes and stricter behavioral standards that help students develop into mature adults. Many private schools require that their students complete a mandatory number of community service hours. This not only provides the obvious benefit of instilling a sense of respect for the community and the importance of making a contribution to society, but it also happens to be something colleges especially favor. Community service experiences teach students that education goes beyond the walls of the school, and that it sometimes requires action and initiative.

Beyond the fact that smaller classrooms are by their very nature easier to control, most private schools put special emphasis on discipline.

Even if your child does not have discipline problems, disruptive peers could take away from your child’s valuable learning time. The push for discipline in private schools teaches children self-control, which will ultimately be a requirement in college where the student will be far more responsible for his or her own attendance and achievement. Also, stricter disciplinary policies mean that any major problems will be handled and eradicated quickly.

When you decide to enroll your child in a private school, your family becomes part of a network of families with the same goals.

Parents at private schools are more involved in the lives of the students and various school events. As a parent, you may have the opportunity to connect with other parents to discuss the lives of your children. Such relationships allow parents to learn from each other and support each other. The students also benefit from the community atmosphere of private schools. The very specific personalities of private schools often lead the students to have a strong sense of pride and loyalty to the school and its community. The student may also benefit from affiliation to the school far beyond graduation day. Many private schools have alumni mentoring programs that connect older alumni with newer ones. Recent graduates may find internship opportunities with alumni who have been working in their field of interest.

Is private school right for you and your child? Give us a call at 860-649-5336 and we can discuss all your options.