Public Vs. Private Education: Why Parents Choose Private Schools
When parents start to consider the right educational path for their children, they may realize that this is a years-long process, not just a single decision. The debate between private schools and public schools is an intense one that parents may have to ponder at several points before their children graduate. Choosing private schooling is not simply a way to get smaller class sizes or more challenging coursework for an advanced student. Rather, it is an important parenting decision that will affect children for the rest of their lives.
Below, we are discussing the many reasons why parents choose private elementary school and upper school for their children.
Table of Contents
A Tailored, High-Quality Educational Experience
Every parent wants the best for their child. While public schools can be a great option, they rarely reach the highest goal of offering an educational experience that is tailored to every student. Inability to meet a child’s needs in the moment, whenever that moment arrives, can have impacts that last for a lifetime. Children require regular engagement to ensure that they understand what they are learning and receive sufficient challenges. Public school settings often leave children bored, behind, or stuck in the middle.
By not relying on limited state funding for educational programs, private schools can provide smaller class sizes, enriching programs for superior academic achievement, and extra assistance for children who do not “fit the mold.” High-quality facilities with the latest technology and best practices for education set the stage for long-term success.
Committed Staff And Faculty
Private school parents want to know that their children are getting the best care from educators and administrators who are truly invested in their success. The stereotype of the overworked, underpaid public school teacher is ubiquitous. Why would parents choose to send their children into an environment where their educators must fight to keep from burning out? There are many wonderful teachers and other staff members in public schools. However, they often lack the resources necessary to make the most positive impact on a child’s life. Simply put, even the best intentions cannot overcome inadequate funding or staffing.
By comparison, limits on enrollment and flexibility in setting educational goals allow private school teachers and administrators the space they need to work one-on-one with students and parents. They also have adequate time to ensure that no student slips through the cracks that often exist in a large classroom setting. When parents understand that they are part of an expert team, they will feel more confident about their children’s future prospects.
Community Matters
The quality of public education is highly dependent on the condition of the school, the district, and the community at-large. School choice, in the form of charter schools, magnets, and open districts, gives families more options than the closest neighborhood establishment. However, in a lot of cases, this is simply insufficient. Many parents worry that standardization in teaching and testing creates a “race to the bottom” mentality for school performance. Even establishments that remain committed to high-quality education for every child in the state may find themselves hindered by state policies requiring educators to teach to the test.
Parents may choose to opt out of the system solely to get more than the average. In return, they are often delighted to discover that independent schools maintain their own sense of community in addition to high academic achievements. This community focus is usually tied to the surrounding area and may include volunteering efforts, support programs, partnerships with local organizations, and more. Additionally, many private schools work to build a strong community within their own walls. From school-wide events to alumni networks and time-honored traditions, private institutions provide a unique support system that makes a lasting impact on both students and their parents. When families know that they have a unique opportunity to build and shape the school community, everyone benefits.
Greater Opportunities For The Future
It is an oversimplification to say that who you know matters more than what you know. Yet, the statement rings true for many families. Why is this? The craving for human connection is not merely a tool to achieve greater financial or educational success. In professional life, people emphasize the importance of developing those connections with others who share similar experiences and goals.
Finding success in education is not limited to starting at the right school. Learning is a multifaceted progression that requires close attention and planning. Independent and coed private schools understand that the best way to ensure a child gets the right preparation is to continually research the requirements to achieve it. By setting our standards high, we give students a better chance of earning a place at their chosen upper school and first-tier universities.
Finding The Right Fit
When children learn in a classroom environment that truly fits their needs and talents, they flourish. Providing your child with the best opportunity possible will only yield positive results both in the short term as well as the long term.
Parents have many options for a child’s education. They may be able to choose from public, private, charter, and parochial schooling. As stewards of a child’s life-long experience, parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children find the setting that is best suited to them. Although private school tends to be more expensive than other choices, the investment in a lifetime of learning is a wise one.
It is a delight for parents and educators to watch children and teens bloom into educated, confident, and ambitious young adults. Many parents explore coed private schools because they know that their local public school is not the right fit for their student. Others believe that their children will receive an education better suited to their unique skills and challenges if they start with a private preschool or junior kindergarten.
Most families will need to decide between public and private schooling. The choice of a West Hartford private school reflects a commitment to a child’s education that extends beyond their formative years.