Public or Private School for Your Child

Selecting a school is not easy. And the pressure is on because your child will be spending everyday on the campus you choose. One comparison that many families make is between public and private elementary school programs.

Search out the similarities

Public and private schools have a lot in common. When you are looking at elementary schools specifically, the classrooms are usually all colorful and inviting. The teachers are usually calm, assertive, and direct. And the administration is well organized and trained up for herding children.

If differences didn't exist, you might not see any reason to spend the extra money on a private elementary education. But there are differences, in many communities, between the public and private grammar schools.

Consider the differences

One family who recently moved their children from private to public schools carefully considered the differences: teacher/student ratio, curriculum, parent involvement, and assessment.

The teacher to student ratio is usually smaller in a private school. This becomes very meaningful because it enables the teacher to have individual lesson plans versus a collective, class wide lesson plan. And the theory goes, that a smaller ratio helps the teacher understand more fully how each child learns.

Curriculum, what is on the learning agenda, is set by the state in the public school system. Now, each state is different and special programs can even exist at the county or town level; essentially, however, public schools across the state follow the same grade level plan.

In a private school, the curriculum is set by the school. Some schools select a classical education while others may choose a more experiential model (think Outward Bound and Dr. Kurt Hahn). Matching your child's needs and your expectations with the private school's philosophy and educational model is important.

Public schools usually create opportunities for parent involvement in the usual ways, baking, chaperoning, building, that don't directly relate to teaching. Private schools, however, may invite parents into the classroom with the purpose of sharing and teaching. The level of involvement can be quite different, from a parent's perspective, when comparing public and private schools.

Lastly, assessment is enormously different - public schools assess children according to strict government guidelines. Private schools, however, many not even perform assessment beyond a teacher's personal remarks. Assessment takes time and usually tries to be objective; the use of time is more flexible in a private school setting.

Making the switch

If you choose to move your child from a private to a public school, as many parents are doing today, then you will want to be aware of the similarities and differences that exist. And, prepare your child for the differences too.

The change may be emotional and challenging in the beginning, but over time your child will adjust to a new school. Children are resilient and with a parent's support they can adapt to a new routine and learning environment.