When you are ready to send your child to school, there are many different decisions to make--which school will you send them to, what teacher do you want them to have, should you choose a private school over a public school? With the cost of private schools increasing, if you're not sure whether you should be considering it, here are a few things to consider as you compare the options for your child's education.
Consider the Costs
It's no secret that private schools tend to cost a lot of money, especially when compared to free public education. Public schools are free to anyone who lives in the area, and are not allowed to charge tuition. However, they are also funded by federal, state, and local taxes, which can be subject to the changing political landscape and budget shortfalls. Private schools, on the other hand, generate their own funding through tuition, grants, and fundraising.
There are different levels of private school, and depending on which you choose, the cost can be significantly higher or lower. For example, the median cost of boarding schools affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), according to a 2008-2009 study, was $37,000, while the median cost of day schools from the same study was $17,400. If you opt for non-NAIS schools, the cost is $23,500 for boarding schools and $10,800 for day schools. In some cases, parochial schools will be even more affordable.
Gaining Admission
It is one thing to want to enroll your child in private school, and another to actually get them enrolled. Public schools are required by law to allow all students to attend, while private schools can cap their enrollment at any number they deem appropriate.
However, just because public schools are free and open doesn't mean it's always easy to get your child in. For example, if your child has special needs, it may be difficult to find a public school with the appropriate resources, and some districts have "school choice" policies that allow parents to enroll their children in any school they would like within the district, which can lead to lotteries and other methods if some schools are in higher demand.
Private schools are able to be selective in their enrollment, which means you and your child may have to go through an application process that could include essays, interviews, and even testing. Enrollment may depend on a lot of factors, and the school will be able to selectively decide whether or not to accept your student based on those guidelines and requirements. One of the things they may look for, in addition to your child's scholastic abilities, is your ability as a parent to contribute to the school through donations and fundraising.
Teaching and Class Size
Many private schools purposely keep their class sizes smaller, allowing students more one-on-one time with the teachers, which is not always the case in public schools. Laws require that all public school teachers have state certification (or at the very least, are working toward certification), while private schools do not have the same requirement, but are generally considered experts in their subject area, with college degrees and/or work experience in that area.
When it comes time to make the decision, there are many factors to consider. Apart from all the logistical and emotional arguments for or against each type of school, it's important to make the decision that is the best fit for your child.
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Lawrence Reaves writes for School Tutoring, a tutoring service that offers tutors for a variety of subjects as well as for test preps like the SAT. For more information about School Tutoring and to see their prices visit http://schooltutoring.com/pricing/
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