How Are Public and Private Schools Different?

As a parent, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right educational path for your child. The debate between public and private schools is longstanding, and both options have their unique advantages. Knowing these key differences will help you make an informed choice for your child's future.

Understanding the Basics

Public Schools: Public schools are funded by the government and are free for residents of the school district. School districts are governed by elected officials. They follow state-mandated curriculums and are required to meet certain educational standards. Teachers at public schools must be credentialed by the State, showing that they have received general instruction in the methods designed for most learners, in a variety of subjects. 

Private Schools: Whether they are religious (called "parochial") or independent, private schools are funded through tuition paid by families, donations, and other private sources. Their students often come from a wider geographic area than a public school. They have the flexibility to create their own curriculums and often offer specialized programs. Admission to private schools can be competitive, and they often have specific entry requirements. At quality private schools, teachers have graduate degrees and are specialists in their field, rather than generalists.  

10 Advantages of Private Schools

1. Smaller Class Sizes: One of the most significant advantages of a private school is smaller class sizes. With fewer students per class, teachers can provide more individualized attention and tailor their teaching methods to meet each child's needs. This can lead to a more personalized learning experience and better academic outcomes.
    
2. Longer School Days: Often private schools have more instructional time without "minimum days". For instance, 5th grade at Foothill Country Day School in Claremont, California begins at 8:00a.m and continues to 3:40p.m. and TK and Kindergarten are all-day programs.
       
3. Enhanced Academic Programs: Private schools often offer a more rigorous academic curriculum and a broader range of subjects. Classes such as art, music, technology, and science are often more well-funded than public schools. This can give students a competitive edge when applying to universities.
    
4. Specialized Curriculums: Private schools have the freedom to design curriculums that align with their educational philosophies and values. Private schools can cater to specific interests and learning styles.
    
5. Extracurricular Opportunities: Private schools provide a wide range of extracurricular activities on campus, including sports, after school specialty classes, music, theater, community service, and clubs. Convenience for parents is paramount and most students stay on campus for the entire day.
     
6. Values and Environment: Many private schools are affiliated with religious organizations (think Catholic schools, or Christian schools) and provide explicit faith-based education. Others are not faith-based but align to a values system that aligns with a family’s beliefs. The environment in private schools is often seen as more disciplined and focused, providing a safe and structured setting for learning.
    
7. Parental Involvement: Private schools typically encourage a high level of parental involvement. Regular communication between teachers and parents, parent-teacher associations, and volunteering opportunities foster a strong school community and ensure that parents are actively engaged in their child's education.
    
8. Resources and Facilities: Private schools often boast superior resources and facilities. This can include state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, sports complexes, libraries, and arts studios. These resources can enhance the overall educational experience and provide students with more opportunities for hands-on learning.
    
9. High School and College Preparation: Private schools often have counseling services to help students navigate the application process for private high schools and colleges in general. This includes assistance with school selection, application essays, and interviews. The focus on college readiness can increase a student's chances of getting into their preferred universities.
    
10. Your Child’s Classmates: Many parents are aware of the social dynamics at school. After all, your child will be spending more time with their classmates than they do in their waking hours at home. Will peer influence be good or bad? Private schools experience less behavior issues. A public school will bring a wide range of children from your geographic area but that often comes with unchecked behavior. Since the public school is mandated to serve all, they are limited in the consequences they can provide when a student misbehaves. A private school will draw students who are typically more committed academically, and who share the values of that private school, including the assumption of college attendance.    

Advantages of Public School

1. It is budget-friendly. Your tax payer dollars are already paying for public schools – free is a good thing! Some public schools also offer free or low cost child care before and after school, free lunch and plentiful public resources.   

2. Close to home. Most public schools are in your neighborhood, although there are public charter schools that cater to specific interests as well.

3. Diversity. Public schools provide a diverse environment with students coming from all socio-economic groups, at least within your immediate community. 

4. Special Education. Children with special needs across the spectrum will often be better served in the public system. Federal laws require public schools to provide diagnostic and disability services, and gifted and talented programs may also be offered. Public schools have dedicated special education teachers, and can provide additional one-on-one support to students with disabilities.

5. Size. Public schools are larger than private schools, which allows them to offer more activities such as a wider range of sports, science fairs, and other competitive opportunities, but often these opportunities are provided at additional cost.     

6. Government-approved curriculum. Public school curriculum is well-established, predictable and standardized, with the goal of educating every child across many subjects.
 

Why Choose?

Many parents simply accept their neighborhood public school as their only choice. Instead, take the time to consider all your options, and give your child the foundation of a great education. The best school for your child is one that meets their individual needs, not a cookie cutter program that is designed for the masses.

Choosing a private school is a significant investment, but it can be worthwhile for many families. Don’t let finances keep you from exploring all your options: most private schools offer significant financial assistance, so it is worth asking if you can afford to pay any amount toward tuition. You may find that a private school education is within your grasp.
 
Take the time to visit schools, speak with educators, and consider your child's unique personality and learning style. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to make a decision that will set your child on a path to success.