The Public Versus Private Debate
Many of my clients are trying to decide if they should send their child to the neighborhood public school or to a private school. Often they reference GreatSchools.org when discussing the public schools but as my blog about “The Impact of GreatSchools” points out, you can’t compare a private school to a public school based on data you find online. Community hearsay, as well, is not something you should use to select the best school for your child. David C. Berliner’s book “50 Myths/Lies That Threaten America’s Public Schools” stated that “we cannot count the number of even our close acquaintances who recite warped opinions about our nation’s public schools: They are inferior to private schools; they are among the worst in the world in math and science… Many citizens’ conception of K-12 public education in the United States is more myth than reality.” Far too often, we don’t have all of the facts. We pit schools against schools; declaring one great and one not. It happens not only with public and private schools but even private schools to private schools and public schools to public schools. The reality is that all schools have strengths and areas of growth. The important thing is finding which school is best for your child and his or her needs. So is that a public school or a private school?
Let me start this public v/s private debate by being honest. I have never worked in the private school sector. I have spent twenty years in public education, mostly in Title I schools. I was raised in public schools and even attended a public university. My whole life experience with education has been in public schools. While I believe in the public school system, I am not too credulous to realize it has areas of growth. Like most things in life, it’s not perfect. Yet, I am still a public school advocate. I believe in the stellar teachers who teach in public schools and that they have and will continue to put students first. That being said, I believe private schools are wonderful institutions for children as well. They have amazing staff members who care deeply for children and want them to succeed.
I write this post for two reasons: to encourage you to do your research on all the schools you are considering and to help clarify why you might consider a private school over a public school. Prospective parents tend to use GreatSchools to evaluate public schools while private schools are mainly exempt from receiving a GreatSchools score. It is easy to make an assumption about a school when you see a score, hear from a neighbor, or join an online group chat. There is a lot more to schools than a score or a beautiful building so I encourage you to ask good questions about the things that truly matter to your family. Comparing a private school to a public school is like comparing apples to oranges. The curriculum is not the same. The assessments are not the same. The student population is typically not the same. They are quite simply incomparable. I hear far too often that if you want your child to go to a “great” school, you have to go private. I don’t believe that is true. I do believe that if you want certain things for your child that public education can not offer, private school is a great choice for you. But I want to be clear: you don’t have to pay for quality education. You can pay for a smaller class size for your child who needs less stimulation and more support; you can pay for a religious curriculum to be taught; you can pay for special services such as Orton-Gillingham which supports students with dyslexia; you can pay for a nicer building with beautiful grounds. But you do NOT have to pay for quality education.
If your child or family needs the following, you might consider applying to a private school:
A religious-based curriculum: Religious studies are offered during the day for students at certain private schools. There is a wide variety of religious-based schools such as Catholic, Episcopal, Christian, Lutheran, Baptist, Islamic, etc… which promote their religious philosophies.
Smaller class sizes: Because private schools can determine their enrollment cap, they can offer class sizes with a 1:15 ratio or lower. If your child is overstimulated in large groups or if he/she needs more attention from a teacher, this is an important factor to consider. I do believe that smaller class sizes are beneficial for teachers as well as students. Of course, what I also believe is this: an effective teacher is effective no matter if she has 15 or 25 students in her class. A mediocre teacher is a mediocre teacher no matter if she has 15 or 25 students in her class. Effective teachers and mediocre teachers exist in all schools.
A specialized environment and curriculum: There are some schools that specialize in learning disabilities such as dyslexia and their main goal is to get students working at grade level. Schools like this can specialize in Orton-Gillingham and have certified teachers to support students with their disabilities.
More instructional assistants: Some students need more adults interacting with them, coaching them, monitoring them, and supporting them academically. Most private schools have more instructional support in the classrooms than public schools.
A different school calendar and/or start times: Private schools can determine their holidays, teacher workdays, summer break, etc… as well as start and end times. If the public school calendar or school times don’t work for your family, you can consider a school that does.
More parental involvement: When parents decide to pay for their child’s education, they are naturally more invested. This does not mean public school parents are not involved but it’s worth noting.
An aesthetically pleasing building: Most private schools have beautiful grounds, prominent buildings, pristine hallways, and up-to-date furnishings. This is very appealing to a lot of parents and children.
If your child needs one of the above offerings to have a successful academic career, then I believe it’s important to look at different private schools that fit your child’s needs. If you aren’t sure, I hope you will give your public school a chance. Because just like private schools, public schools are filled with dedicated and talented professionals who nurture, challenge, and encourage children to be the best they can be. They are diverse, complex, and innovative but most importantly, free. And it is important to truly understand what they have to offer your child.