No one can tell you what's right for your children and what's not. You know them better than anyone else possibly can. With that said, however, when it comes to knowing if a private school is the right environment for your child, the task is anything but easy. This will, or at least should, involve very careful consideration as both private schools and public ones can offer big benefits and some downfalls, too.
Making the choice between private schools and public ones is a personal choice, but it's also one that can be quite costly. Even if money isn't an issue, it's a good idea to look at some of the pros and cons of both private and public schools before proceeding.
Private schools offer a number of benefits that public schools simply cannot, but they do come with a price that extends beyond the finances. Let's take a look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
- The student to teacher ratio at private schools tends to be much lower. This is great for youngsters who need more one-on-one time.
- Private schools tend to do very well in the areas they specialize in. Since consumers are the driving force behind these schools, the courses are sometimes well beyond what can be offered in a public arena. They tend to also offer specialized learning, such as religion, music or so on, too.
- More specialized programs for fast learners and even those who need extra help. Here and again, these schools can be better equipped to deal with all sorts of educational issues that might crop up.
- Can assist with college entry. Depending on the schools involved, good grades and other factors, college entry can be a breeze.
- Wonderful for learners who specialize in a certain area of learning. There are private schools to cater to just about everything. If a youngster is particularly gifted in music, there are schools that can help foster this passion. Public schools offer music, but they can't generally boast tailored instruction.
Cons:
- Skewed perspective. Since private schools don't always offer a cross section of society, youngsters might be ill equipped to deal with the "real world" when they get out. This side effect of private schooling can be offset by parents and programs that expose youngsters to people from all walks of life.
- Cost. This is perhaps the biggest prohibitive factor that makes people think twice. The better ones cost - a lot.
- Environment. Sometimes the more rigid environment in some schools make them uncomfortable for certain youngsters to learn in.
Public schools offer their own set of pros and cons. Keep in mind when deciding what's right and what's wrong for your child and your situation that both types of schools can graduate highly educated pupils. Very often, it's what a child and his or her family puts into the education that counts. Don't let peer pressure make your decision for you. Take cues from your own judgment and how your child reacts to the different environments to guide you in your decision to go for a private school versus a public school or vice versa.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm a student at ITT-Tech online and I am looking ...
By: dlamarque | 22-09-2008
I'm a student at ITT-Tech online and I am looking for some informations on Strategies of the Successful Technical professional in the 21st century. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Do they check national insurance number
By: ALI | 21-09-2008
do they check national insurance number
Meade Johnson helping underprivileged children
By: Pam | 21-09-2008
I was told Meade Johnson helps underprivileged children with money for school clothes. I would like to enroll my children to recieve clothes or money for clothes for school. How do I go about doing that? Fill out an application and where?
Are Neopets REALLY killing neopets? Or is it the other way around?
By: Kind Ally | 20-09-2008
I heard that LOTS of people's webkinz are being killed by neopets! But then I saw someone online saying that webkinz are killing neopets for revenge. Is that true? Did you have any experiances? I need as much info as I can! For my and ALL of my friends! Everybody is worrieing! TONS of people are saying "THE NEOPETS KILLED MY WEBKINZ!". But I need REAL proof.
Anyone remember this school song
By: Margaret | 18-09-2008
john h hamline, chicago,il school song. Can't seem to remember all the words but goes something like this..Blue and gold are the colors of the school we're loyal to. John H Hamline is the name, that we hail and bring to fame. Our alma mater....and on and on...
What do you do when you feel like your a failure and your future seems hopeless????
By: Hope | 18-09-2008
So im 19 yrs old, and I feel as if so far im not getting anything accomplished in life! School is so stressing and it feels like im not gonna be done with school in forever!!!! Im so confused, At first i wanted to major in psychology, but now im thinking in majoring in either religion or business. Its scary not to know what you want to be in life or how your going to end up in the long run. Apart from all my other family and financial problems, why does life have to be so complicated!? =[
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Education Articles
Movado: Beauty Meets Function With Bareleto, Amorosa & Rondiro
By: Joseph Levy | 07/10/2008
One of Three amazing styles Movado makes that you will really like. These exquisite sytles by movado are one of a kind.
Germination, Bog Plants, And Transplanting
By: Sarah Martin | 07/10/2008
Some of the seeds come up in a few weeks; a few, in fact, in less than ten days, where conditions are favorable; others, as we have seen, require several months. It is well to group them, when planting, upon this basis, so that all those which will be ready...
The History Of The Car Seat
By: Will Smith | 07/10/2008
The first recorded report of a child restraint in an automobile was in 1898. The device was little more than a drawstring bag that would attach to the actual car seat. It was only designed to prevent little children from falling off their seats when the car was in motion. Much has changed since then. Today all cars are legally required to provide car seat restraint systems.
Properly Choosing a Tutorial Service Provider
By: Christa Kowalczyk | 07/10/2008
Tutoring service provides an alternative way of learning for students besides attending school. It provides them the skills necessary to improve their academic performance in school.
Tutoring services is becoming popular all around the world. Because of the demands, there are a lot of companies now offering in-house tutorial services and...
Fuel Alternatives and Energy Sources
By: Joan Barton | 06/10/2008
Fuel Alternatives and renewable energy sources include, Hydrogen, Wind, Garbage, Geothermal, Solar, Tidal all can be harnessed effectively.
How To Choose And Join The Best Fashion Design School
By: Scott English | 06/10/2008
Fashion design is an upcoming career which is authenticated by many universities. You get a proper degree for it. Fashion design is not an abstract thing, it needs appropriate training and necessary acquaintance with the work required from a fashion design school. A fashion design school can be understood as an institution where people become skilled at creating exclusive designs with fabrics.
Amazonite - Extraordinary Feldspar
By: Claudia Mann | 06/10/2008
Amazonite has a soft green to blue green color, often with thin white streaks interlacing the green. It forms blocky prismatic or tabular crystals with angles that are not quite ninety degrees. Because of its natural beauty it is used to make jewelry and other ornamental objects. Amazonite has a...
Study Abroad Program For Students
By: Jayesh Bagde | 05/10/2008
Study abroad program is one of the exciting parts of being a student. It provides a new approach in learning a lot of things in a foreign country.
Study abroad is one of the most prevalent summer study program being availed by many college students. A number of colleges and universities...
Education 
