If you were asked whether you would prefer that your child attend public or private schools, you could probably respond pretty quickly and certainly – one way or the other. No matter where you fall on the debate, there are some things you might not have considered.
Private schools can be expensive. With tuitions ranging from $8,000 to $16,000 per year, you might wonder what exactly is so awesome about a private school that it is worth all that money. It totally is! But why? Here are the three major reasons that private schools are worth the money.
You can pay up now or later – but now is probably better for students
When you’re getting ready to send your little one off to begin their academic career, don’t just think about how their first year will go; make a rough-draft of their entire education. If you decide that college is in the future, then private schools are an attractive option for you. Here’s why.
If your child is educated in a private school, chances are greater that they will earn scholarships. That means that the money that you put into your child’s education from the beginning can save you money toward the end.
Private schools are independent
The reason that private school students tend to earn more scholarships than public schools is their independence to offer a traditional curriculum, focusing on reasoning, language, and mathematics. This has been shown in studies such as On the Public-Private School Achievement Debate that private school students consistently outperform public school students on standardized tests.
Another cool thing about the independence of private schools is that they have the freedom to specialize in – well, whatever they want to specialize in. So, whatever your child is interested in (or whatever you want for them to learn), you can find a private school to cater to your desires.
If faith is a concern for you, and you would like to have your child educated in a way that honors your faith, these kinds of private schools are available, and typically at prices lower than secular private schools, too.
Class Environment
One of the best, most totally-worth-the-money features of private schools is their class environment. In private schools, it is not unusual to find class sizes of 18 or fewer students (it’s not unusual for public schools to house around 30 students in a class).
This smaller class size allows your student to quickly get help when they need it; it also keeps your child from getting lost in the crowd.
Another awesome aspect to the environment of the private school is the admissions program.
In order to join a private school, your student has to go through a series of steps to be admitted. That means that once your child has made it through, and is sitting there on the first day, they aren’t surrounded by students who are there just because they legally have to be – they want to be there, or their parents want them to be, at least.
That’s huge. That means that there won’t be a ton of behavior problems and distractions in class, so that students can focus on learning and becoming the best version of themselves.
So, yes, there can be a healthy price tag attached to a private education, but consider what your money is really purchasing and if your student would benefit from smaller class sizes, a school independent to do what is best for your student, and how nice it will feel when they are awarded scholarships.
Public and private schools have their own pros and cons. But overall, private is definitely one of the best choices for our kids. Anyways, great post. Thank you for sharing this.
My sister just found out that she’s pregnant. She’s really excited but also wanting to get the best education for her child. I love your point about how at a private school, the students will be there because of the help of their parents and not because the state makes them.
You make a great point about how a private school may have smaller class sizes. I think it’s great that there might be fewer than 18 students in a class. My sister has a daughter who’s not old enough for school yet. She is concerned about making sure she gets a great education. Looking into a private education might be a good idea.
I think private schools can be great to give your kids extra attention. I feel that the most important aspect is the smaller class size. This allows students that excel the ability to move ahead faster than a larger class with students that could slow everyone else down.
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Depending on the school, definitely.
When it comes to public vs private schools I think both have their merits and it really depends on the situation. I know couples who have their kids in private schools because their employers pay for it (expats) whereas others choose to go the private route because they think it will give them a better education. Sometimes it will and sometimes it won’t. My wife is a teacher in a public school that consistently ranks above the private schools each year and now there is a high demand to get in. Nothing wrong with either choice, I think it comes down to doing your research on each specific school (since not all private schools are better)
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I agree 110%
DH and I are considering putting my step-son in private school where he lives in Trinidad. We need to research them in order to weigh out the cost versus what is being offered and if the school would be a good fit for little J. I am just not convinced that the public school he is currently attending is the best place for him.
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Interesting. I know that international schools are very popular in parts of the Caribbean, I assume it is the same in Trinidad.
My husband and I just had this conversation over the weekend. We were waiting for our friends’ wedding rehearsal at a church and a Catholic school was next door. I went to private school from Kindergarten through high-school, while my husband went to public school. We both agreed that private school would be ideal for our future children. I love the small class sizes, the teachers are able to give a child more one-on-one time. And it helps children build strong friendships, without as many “cliques”. My best friend and I met in Kindergarten!
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You still have a friend from kindergarten? That’s amazing.
Same for me. If I had kids, I would definitely consider sending them to private schools.
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Personally, I would only put a kid in private school if it was right for that kid. That said, public schools might be very different in Canada.
I and my wife have no kids yet, but we are saving money so that we can afford sending our kids to private schools. I and my wife are products of private schools, which makes feel that our kids need to experience what we had when we’re still schooling.
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Interesting. What aspects of private school do you feel are the most valuable?