When choosing a school for their kids, parents have to keep many different factors in mind. Academic standards, safety, extracurricular activities, and college admissions for high schools students all add up to an education that provides a solid foundation. Parents may find that private schools most often match up to this wish list. Smaller enrollments allow for smaller class sizes and individual attention, and extracurricular activities like sports and arts programs. All of these help students learn valuable life lessons about the importance of motivation, discipline, and cooperation.
Smaller enrollments allow for individualized attention
About a quarter of all schools in the U.S. are private schools. Typically, they have smaller enrollment numbers than public schools, which means that students get individualized attention from their teachers. Smaller numbers also help to create a more personal and nurturing environment, in which students feel encouraged to challenge themselves to reach their fullest potential.
Smaller enrollments also mean more resources for students, such as access to computer labs, personal tablets, and digital textbooks. Private schools often offer summer camps, fine arts programs, and technology integration into schools. Finally, smaller numbers provide a sense of security and safety which is important for both parents and children.
Greater student and parent engagement
A more personal atmosphere allows for greater student and parent engagement, which is an important factor in improving the quality of education. In private schools, only 4% of teachers and counselors report encountering student apathy, while in public schools more than one fifth, or 21% face this problem. Likewise, just 3% of private schools teachers have to deal with the problem of lack of parental engagement, while 24% of public school teachers do so.
Parental and student engagement matter at every level, but especially when students are in high school. The vast majority, or over 95% of graduating high school seniors from private schools go on to attend four year colleges. Less than half or 49% of students graduating from public schools do so.
A quality education
Extracurricular activities like athletics programs and the arts help students to gain confidence and to develop their skills and talents in different fields. While these are not part of the academic curriculum, they round out a quality education, while helping children to gain social skills, confidence, motivation, and discipline. Participation in sports teams and music performances helps children to learn valuable life lessons about the importance of cooperation.
Participation in extracurricular activities actually help students to improve their academic performance as well. Summer programs keep students connected to their academic work over long vacations, while also giving them a chance to try out new activities.
Parents have to keep many different factors in mind when choosing a school for their children. Private education has many advantages, including greater student and parent engagement, individualized attention, and extracurricular programs. All of these contribute to higher academic standards. The vast majority of students graduating from private high school go on to attend four year colleges.