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First thing first. What is a private school? A private school is a school that is not funded or operated by a government agency.
In the US, there are over 34,500 private schools serving over 4,900,000 students or about 10% of the total K-12 student population. These schools are independent of the government and are funded through tuition and private donations.
Whereas the country has over 98,000 public schools providing education to close to 50 million children.
Private schools in the United States generally have flexible curricula and educational philosophies as compared to public schools, as they are not bound by the same regulations and standards.
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Let’s take a look at the distinguishing features of private and public schools. There are several differences between public and private schools in the United States:
Funding: Public schools are funded by federal, state, and local governments, while private schools are funded through tuition fees and donations.
Admission: It is mandatory for public schools to accept all students residing within their district, but there is no such binding on private schools. They have the discretion to choose which students they admit. Private schools may also have additional admission requirements, such as academic achievement or a certain religious affiliation.
Curriculum: Public schools follow state education standards and are subject to state and federal regulations, while private schools can set their own standards.
Teacher certification: Public school teachers are required to be certified by the state in which they teach, while private school teachers may not be required to be certified.
School size: Public schools can vary significantly in size, with some serving just a few hundred students and others serving several thousand. Private schools tend to be smaller, with an average enrollment of around 300 students.
Extracurricular activities: Both public and private schools may offer extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, music programs, and clubs. However, private schools have more resources to devote to such activities.
Whether the private school is worth it or not will depend on a number of factors, including the individual circumstances of the student and the family, the quality of the private school, and the family’s financial situation.
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Here are some things to consider when deciding if private school is worth it:
Cost: Private schools generally cost more than public schools, as they do not receive funding from the government. This can be a significant financial burden for some families.
A report says, $12,350 is the average annual tuition among all private schools nationwide. Additional expenses may include application fees, parents’ association fees, insurance, transportation or room and board, extracurricular costs, and summer program costs.
|
Type
|
Expense
|
Estimated Cost
|
|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Tuition
|
$12,350
|
|
2
|
Technology
|
$1,500
|
|
3
|
Books & Supplies
|
$500
|
|
4
|
Field Trips
|
$500
|
|
5
|
Uniforms
|
$400
|
|
6
|
Athletics
|
$300
|
|
7
|
Misc. Fees
|
$500
|
|
|
Total
|
$16,050
|
Quality of education: Private schools may offer a higher quality of education, with smaller class sizes, more individualized attention for students, and access to more resources and extracurricular activities. However, this is not always the case, and it is important to research the specific private school you are considering to determine the quality of education it provides.
Student needs: Private schools may be a good fit for students who have specific learning needs or who benefit from a particular educational philosophy or approach. It is important to consider whether the private school can meet the individual needs of the student.
Location: Private schools may not be available in all areas, so it may be necessary to relocate in order to attend one. This can be a significant consideration for families.
Ultimately, whether private school is worth it will depend on your individual circumstances and priorities. It is important to carefully consider all of these factors and do your research before making a decision.
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