One of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a parent is about your child’s education, more specifically, whether they’ll attend private or public school. Prospective parents are increasingly sending their children to private schools. In the fall of 2017, roughly 5.7 million students were sent to private schools. Private schools are more than just a place to get an education, they represent a lifestyle. While you may be discouraged by the price tag of private schools, the benefits far outweigh the cost. Here are six benefits of private school.
1. Smaller Classes
In public schools, it’s common to see one teacher being assigned a class of 25 or more students. Because their time is divided among so many students, public school teachers aren’t capable of giving each student as much attention as they need. Private schools generally have smaller classes, so your child will receive more personalized attention. For example, if your child is studying agriculture, they’ll be taught that pruning a plant when it’s dormant facilitates easier recovery of the plant, which is crucial for the plant to produce blooms the following year.
2. Parental Involvement
Private schools try to involve parents in their child’s school life as much as possible, while others even demand it. This relationship between the family and the school allows parents to understand the entire educational process. On the other hand, public schools hold a maximum of one to two parent-teacher conferences annually. In private schools, meetings between parents and teachers are more frequent. They also make an effort to organize and host family events. Private schools are the way to go if you want to be a hands-on parent when it comes to your child’s education.
3. Resources
Because private schools typically charge tuition and often have endowments, they provide more resources to enhance the learning environment. This may include everything from cutting-edge technology and teaching aids to highly qualified teachers. Having more resources doesn’t only refer to financial resources, it also includes the school’s overall quality, the active participation of parents and staff, and a shared set of values.
4. Networking Opportunities
Most private school graduates go on to achieve great success in their chosen fields while remaining devoted and involved with their school. Your child will join the alumni network of the private school he or she attends, which may eventually give them access to unique professional prospects in the future. They’ll also be more likely to be considered for jobs and positions they apply for outside the alumni network. Small businesses employ between 250 and 1,000 people. By sending your child to a private school, they’ll be given priority over public school students as they’re believed to have received a higher quality education.
5. Higher Graduation Rates
Across America, just under 100% of private high school students graduate. In contrast, just 80% of students in public high schools across the country graduate. If your child attends a private school, they’ll have a considerably higher chance of graduating from high school and will be surrounded by others who share their aspirations to graduate.
5. Emotional and Social Learning
Teachers in private schools actively participate in their student’s social and emotional development. This stems from an understanding of the link between a healthy mind and body. With advisors acting as mediators, coaches, mentors, and proctors, advisor programs replace the homeroom model used in public schools. Advisors guide students in setting and achieving objectives and navigating any social or academic issues. Private school advisors also aim to foster self-advocacy skills in and out of the classroom setting. Additionally, if issues emerge, they serve as the go-to person for students, parents, and other faculty members.
6. Strong Sense of Community
A strong sense of community and pride is a major benefit of private schools. To enroll, students must go through a thorough application process, and most private institutions demand a certain academic standard. This gives students and parents a sense of pride from the moment they’re accepted. The stronger sense of community and school pride is a result of smaller class sizes and parental involvement opportunities. A survey found that 62% of parents of private school students believe their school’s environment is inspiring, nurturing, and supportive.
Private schools foster an environment where your child can grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Consider enrolling your child in a private school to set them up for academic success.
Elor McDori
