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The Private School Concern: Cost

Finance — you have discovered — is a fickle thing. Dollars come and go with alarming ease, never willing to settle into your bank accounts and collect the happy interest. Money is instead impermanent; and you’re not blessed with an excess of funds. You can’t always go to PaydayOne.com for help too. You’re shaped instead to the middle class concerns, and all expenses must therefore be understood (and countered). You save as much as you can. You spend only what you must. And the intention of each day is to still have pennies in your pocket.

You don’t always succeed with this but you never stop trying — and you wonder if those attempts will be enough to afford a better education for your child.

The notion of private schools is one that many parents consider. They wish to offer opportunities to their sons and daughters, allowing them to experience stronger lessons and art-enriched environments. Institutions that are not governed by the state are proven to provide an education of value.

They are also, however, proven to demand money for it.

The terrible truth of private schools is that they are not free — unlike their public counterparts. They instead require tuition payments and enrollment fees; and these numbers can be staggering. As of 2010 the average expense of such an organization is $6,600 dollars a year. This price reflects less distinguished districts, however. Along the eastern and western coastlines costs can rise dramatically: with some schools requiring over $20,000 dollars for one term.

For many families these prices are simply too high. Even with financial aid and scholarship programs (which are not always available), the requirements can still be thousands of dollars a year — and many cannot spare such amounts.

It’s essential therefore that all parents understand the specific district costs of schools and what assistance is provided. Recognize the limitations of a budget and do not exceed these. An education can easily form debt and recovering from that would be difficult.

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Private Schooling

St. Patrick's Catholic School, Bellefontaine

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Private schools have been on the map for some time. They started out originally as boarding schools, and then quickly spread to include specific religious affiliations. The most popular of these affiliations with the Catholic Church. These schools hold reputations for being very thorough in their studies and in the way they teach the three r’s, Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. In fact, most Catholic school students are given preferential treatment for college entrance placement because there is the assumption that remedial classes were never taken. This is proven by the Notre Dame entrance exam including advanced Calculus.

Private education has been long sought after because it is believed that student receive more one on one attention from teachers, that the discipline is more strict, and that students are taught to respect, listen, and obey in a way that public schools simply cannot do. The other aspect so private schooling is that for many students, this is their only option. For some students that have found that their public school experience was not optimal, or they found that they were in getting themselves into trouble on a regular basis, private schools accept these students, and prepare a plan of attack on how to create a student that is going to be a life long learner, and become a responsible citizen. Public schools are not always able to do that because of their class sizes and lack of support by other overwhelmed administrators.

Many public school teachers are not in favor of private schooling as they believe that it creates a sheltered environment. This is the case as many feel that having a religious affiliation is more of an indoctrination process than an educational process. Private school teachers feel that public school is over saturated and students lack individual attention. Regardless of the opinion, most agree that making a student the center of the equation is the best policy.

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Title Match: Public Versus Private

As a parent you want the best for your child. As a student you are likely focusing less on education and more on home much fun high school will be.  Deciding which educational format will work best for a particular student is often a source of great debate between parents and their children. Deciding between private and public school can be one of the biggest decisions parents and students can make in regards to their education.  Consider three major areas to help decide which fits best for your student.

  1. Educational goals: if your student is advanced or has advanced goals for their education private school may be more in keeping with their educational goals. You should also consider the ability of your local public school to educate your student. Review curriculums from both the institutions to determine which is more appropriate.
  2. Religious affiliation: many private schools are affiliated with a religion. If religion plays a large role in your life or if you wish your student to be educated by a religiously affiliated institution private school might be best. Those who do not wish their students to be exposed to religious education might want to steer away from private schooling.
  3. Socialization: private schools offer a different degree of socialization than public schools. Many are same sex, have enforced dress codes and a student conduct code that is stricter than public schools. It is important to carefully consider these areas during the process of determining whether a child should attend public or private schools.

Determining whether a child should attend a public or private school will have a big impact on their future. It is not a decision that should be made lightly. Parents, students and guidance counselors should meet to discuss available options and to determine which will work best for a particular student.

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My School, It’s Better Than Yours

It is a debate that has been wages almost as long as schools have been in existence:  which is better private or public schools? The truth is both have their benefits and their problems. Deciding which is better for your particular child often has less to do with the argument and more to do with the needs of the child. That being said, it’s still a good idea to stop and consider the benefits of both systems.

Private schools tend to set a slightly higher standard for their students. While they are still bound by state regulations, private schools are just that, private. Because of this, they have a bit more flexibility when it comes to course curriculum, discipline and attendance. In some cases it is also true that private schools often recruit ‘better’ teachers or teachers that are more dedicated. Many parents choose private schools with a religious affiliation to promote continuing exposure to religious education – something that is not possible at public schools.

Public schools, on the other hand, are mainstream. Always co-ed, many parents choose a public school over a private, sex segregated school. Public schools are very much ruled by state law and public opinion. Parents who do not want their children exposed to religious education like this. Public schools also, as a rule, have better developed athletics programs. Parents of athletic students of choose public schools for the exposure they can give their children. Finally, public schools are free – there is no expensive tuition bill due at the beginning of the year.

There really is no answer to the question, which school model is better. Parents should carefully consider the options in their particular area as well as the needs of their child before deciding which educational model will work best for their own child.

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The College Demands: Private Education Advantage

I’s an easy completion: your child hurries through his assignments, finishing them all without even a sigh. The pages are read; the questions are answered; and he tosses his books aside, eager to explore the virtual worlds of his computer. Homework, you realize, is without challenge. There are no seconds spared for studying. There are no concerns offered for the impending exams. High school, your son declares, is without worry. And you fear that this assumption will follow him to college — where it will quickly be undone.

A public education cannot be denied as valuable. It can also, however, not be denied as incomplete. The state requirements for schools (the courses that must be offered, the credits that must be earned before graduation) are shaped to the minimal. Students have to finish only a low specificity of mathematics, English and more to receive their diplomas. And often this same specificity leads them to believe that college will be the same. All higher forms of learning are thought to be standard… but they’re not. And this can cause immediate problems of stress, anxiety and confusion.

For those educated privately, however, the expectation of hard work has already been instilled.

The demands of a private school are considerably higher than those of a public. Courses are to be taken in excess — such as four years (on average) of mathematics compared to the typical two or a full year of foreign languages rather than a singular semester. This difference reflects the ability for private institutions to create their own curriculums; and the results are students who are more aware of the university rules.

It’s estimated that 52 percent of private school students will seek out bachelor degrees and higher education, while only 21 percent of public school pupils will. And this occurs most often due to the levels of preparation that are provided.

The difference is the expectations and these are forever high when given privately.

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The Necessary Ratio: Private Education

It’s the familiar madness — a classroom is defined to too small corners and too many students, a teacher struggling to understand the endless questions that are flung toward her. She tries but her efforts aren’t enough. She can’t offer the necessary smiles, attention. Her mind is instead shaped to the essential lessons, the blackboard revelations. Knowledge must be given. All other hopes must therefore be sacrificed. And she doesn’t even know the names of her pupils. She doesn’t have the time.

A public education is formed by clumsy chaos. The student population is forever expanding while the instructor levels remain the same — stagnant, overcrowded and not as effective as they are meant to be. This is not a reflection of the desire to teach. It is merely proof that those teachers are human; and they cannot do what is required when their classes are overwhelmed.

And private education therefore becomes far more appealing to parents.

While all may regret the cost of private education (the force of countless dollars each year), none could regret the advantage it offers — all classes are tailored small, with the ratio of students and teachers rarely exceeding 13 to 1 and the majority instead providing 10 to 1. This is a sharp decline when compared to public schools and their average of 17 to 1.

The difference is startling — and the results are undeniable. When teachers are not forced to bear the burden of too many pupils, they can become stronger presences. Their focus will not be divided. Instead it can be offered to each individual student, ensuring that they all receive the attention they deserve. The quality of lessons becomes greatly improved; and knowledge is earned, rather than simply memorized.

And parents seeking more than the standard experiences for their children will find this ideal.

Private education offers intimate classes and practical ratios; and the consequence is success. The advantage can’t (and shouldn’t) be refused.

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Seeking Districts: Private Education

A search for a neighborhood, the struggle to secure a home: a relocation was unexpected, had your family scrambling to pack away their belongings, prepare for an impractical journey. The move was hard — and fast. But you finally managed to find a house that would contain all of you (even if the style was not ideal, the amenities lacking). You settled for speed over perfection, and it seemed to be a worthy sacrifice… until you realized what district a property forced you to claim.

The nearby school is not one you wish to choose. It suffers from too many students and too few resources, is sagging beneath the weight of its own inefficiency. You don’t want your children to attend this public nightmare; but the state laws are defined all too clearly. All individuals found within this specific boundary must enroll. This is the rule.

It’s one you don’t want to accept — and it’s one you don’t have to.

While public institutions are shaped by their borders, private schools are not. The advantage parents can achieve by choosing them is one of selection, not necessity. Any school can be sought. There is no longer the need to remain within a neighborhood (or even a town, if you are willing to bear the commute). These organizations will instead accept students from any distance.

And this becomes imperative when you’re seeking to provide a college-worthy education for your sons and daughters.

The worry of districts has forever prevailed among parents; and any relocations were faced with dread, assumed to be too limiting. The notion of private schools, however, ensures that the miles won’t define your childrens’ experiences. They will instead be allowed to learn where you wish them to — and such a choice is vital.

Public education is not to be maligned. It is, however, to be recognized for its potential complications. Understand your area and what it truly means to remain within it.

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Public Convenience: Tolerance

The world is shaped to customs, to the strange philosophies — all passed down from generation to generation, changed to reflect the modern needs. There are differences to discover. There are ideas to greet. And the classrooms filled with all races, religions and creeds create an education that can’t be refused… unless parents are considering a private institution.

There are endless advantages to private schools. This could never be refused. They provide sterling selections of courses, extracurriculars and community service programs. They ensure that each child is offered the necessary attention and relief. They do not, however, provide the wanted cultural experiences. Instead they are defined to the shocking similarities.

The majority of pupils within private schools will come from identical social and religious backgrounds. There will be occasional distinctions (often from the inclusion of scholarship students or those receiving financial aid). Most, however, will be defined to the same standards. And this is not a value parents should want.

To succeed in the world all most be aware of those who help to create it. Tolerance is needed; compassion is required; and there must be an understanding of how to relate to the ones who are so very different. A public education guarantees exposure to all forms of cultures and customs. It ensures that students will not be overwhelmed by new opinions or ideas. Instead they will learn (early) to accept these and consider them valid.

This is essential in an age when continents can be bridged so easily. Countries are no longer contained within their borders. They can instead sprawl wide, seeking out connections. And students must be able to do the same — an action that becomes infinitely more difficult when their lives have been kept to the sterile similarities.

A public education is precisely what its name implies: an education for the public. All are included and all can be taught the essential lessons. It’s an experience that can’t be denied.

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The Public Advantage: Cost

There is a truth you must admit, a realization you can’t deny: you are without the essential dollars. Finance eludes you, proving to be cruel. There are no funds you can spare. There are no pennies to be offered. Every single cent you make is to be claimed by your family, your debt and your utility concerns. The notion of saving money is one you don’t believe to exist — and the demands of a private education are ones you could never match.

For many families seeking out private schools is an impossibility. The tuition fees are too high and the endless extra expenses are staggering. Discovering the value of accelerated courses is simply not practical — and yet many still try to obtain these, wanting their children to gain the chance to succeed.

Such success can come with a heavy price, however. A lifestyle can be drastically changed. Poor credit can accumulate. And the stress of meeting the many requirements can strain all parents.

It’s important therefore that families recognize the value of public schools instead.

Too often are these institutions thought to be unworthy — they are considered without the essential courses and credits, the college preparation. While some are admittedly not able to match the standards of their private counterparts, many still can. And these offer more than just a solid education. They instead can offer it for free.

There are no payments needed to enroll your child in a public school. For families already burdened with a budget this is a relief that can’t be denied. All individuals — no matter their gender, race, religion or social status — are able to attend these facilities. There is no distinction to be made and no fees to provide. And this allows all parents to focus on enhancing their lives instead of scrambling always to offer money.

Public education is free — and this is a value that can’t be dismissed so easily.

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