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New research show that top students in private schools are more likely to end up in drugs  and alcohol.

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People who go to the best private schools are more likely to end up with drug and alcohol addictions in later life, new research has suggested.

"Privileged" students who live in affluent areas and attend elite schools are at a high risk of turning to cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy, the group of researchers claimed, as well as being more prone to alcohol abuse.

Girls from top schools are said to be three times more likely to suffer from drugs and alcohol-related problems than their less privileged peers, even in cases where they performed "exceedingly well" in school and were highly thought of by teachers and friends.

Boys from the same backgrounds were said to be twice as likely as other male students to becoming addicted to drink or substances in early adulthood.

Studying the habits of two groups of students in affluent communities in New England in the US, researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) assessed teenage participants when they were high school seniors, then again annually across four college years, and from the age of 23 to 27.

"We found alarmingly high rates of substance abuse among young adults who we initially studied as teenagers," said Professor Suniya Luthar, a professor of psychology who led the research at ASU.

"Results showed that among both men and women and across annual assessments, these young adults had substantial elevations, relative to national norms, in frequency of several indicators - drinking to intoxication and of using marijuana, stimulants such as Adderall, cocaine, and club drugs such as ecstasy."

Between 19 and 24 per cent of women in the older cohort were found to have some form of addiction, compared with 23 to 40 per cent of men by the age of 26.

"These rates were three and two times as high respectively, as compared to national norms," said Prof Luthar.

"Among the younger cohort by the age of 22 years, rates of addiction were between 11 and 16 per cent among women - close to national norms, but 19 to 27 per cent among men, or about twice as high as national norms," she added.

Under closer analysis, the researchers saw a pattern in that participants with higher rates of addiction had all attended the best schools.

Publishing the study in the journal Development and Psychopathology, Prof Luther suggested part of the reason behind the findings might be that pupils at these schools experience more pressure on them to achieve.

They tended to abide by a "work hard play hard" mentality, and often had more money, which helped to buy alcohol and source both prescription and recreational drugs, as well as fake IDs.

"Not all of these students were from wealthy families but most were; as parents typically had advanced educational degrees and median incomes much higher than national norms," she added.

"And without question, most of the parents wanted their kids to head off to the best universities, as did the kids themselves."

Parents of such children could also be lulled into a false sense of security, she suggested, trusting their children to be behaving well on account of their good grades.

"Messing with drugs and alcohol really should not be trivialised as just something all kids do," the author warned. "The earlier children start to use and the more frequently they do, the more likely it is that they will develop addictions down the line."

Improved sex and relationships education in schools could prove to be helpful moving forward, she said, as information on the risks of drug taking and sexually transmitted diseases were all relevant and needed.

Schools should also be aware of the pressures that students are under, particularly in trying to get into the most selective universities.

Going so far as to make pupils aware of alternative life paths would also help to reduce such problems, she said, for instance "showing the kids there are role models of adults who did not go to an elite university, but who picked a college because it felt right for them and who were highly successful in life."

"We now need the same dedicated research on kids who grow up in pressure- cooker, high achieving schools," Luthar said. "Paradoxical though it may seem, these ostensibly privileged youth, many of who start experimenting early and often with drinking and drugs, could well be among the groups at highest risk for alcoholism and addiction in adulthood."

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Top private school pupils more likely to end up with drug and alcohol addictions, new research reveals

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People who go to the best private schools are more likely to end up with drug and alcohol addictions in later life, new research has suggested. "Privileged" students who live in affluent areas and attend elite schools are at a high risk of turning to cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy, the group of researchers claimed, as well as being more prone to alcohol abuse.

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Private schools are more common for discrimination.

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What is the relationship between private schools and the public good? Opinions tend to be shaped chiefly by philosophical commitment to either individual choice or communal welfare. Arguments rarely examine the tension between private schools and the public good, or address whether it can be resolved.

At the root of that tension is the issue of status competition. Families in the U.S. choose private schools for many reasons, religious affiliation historically first among them. But for many parents, enrolling their children in private school is primarily about giving them an edge over their peers. And that, it turns out, is incompatible with the public good. When status is the chief aim of schooling, as it so often is in private education, everyone ends up suffering - even the privileged.

Parents at all kinds of schools desire a broad and humanistic education for their children. But private school tuition is often justified by the idea that it will produce a return on investment. Private schools, then, face tremendous pressure to provide students with an advantage over others, particularly on the admissions rolls of prestigious colleges and universities. This, in turn, situates education as a very particular kind of commodity - what economists call a positional good. The value of a positional good is dictated not by any inherent worth, but rather by its relation to what is possessed by others. And this directly undermines the public good in two ways.

First, if the purpose of school is to give students an advantage over others, then the content of education is largely unimportant. When we conceive of education as a public good, by contrast, learning is the only thing that matters. Are young people learning to be citizens and functional members of the community? Do they have interesting and valuable skills that they can bring to bear on social and economic life? These are the questions that we must answer if educating students matters. But if education is merely a positional good, we need only ask: Are their credentials perceived as more valuable than the credentials possessed by others? This approach undermines learning for all parties, including those enrolled at high-prestige schools.

The second reason that status competition conflicts with the public good is that if status is the aim, there must be losers - lots of them. After all, if we are all roughly the same, there is no difference upon which to base unequal distribution of social and economic rewards. Thus, a valuable education is not only predicated upon something tangential to real learning, but also requires that a majority of young people draw short straws.

As inequality pulls at the seams of the social fabric of the developed world, private schools have faced strong criticism for their role in reproducing advantage. If they are going to make a case for their existence, they need to resist the inherent contradiction between the private good and the public good that status competition engenders. As long as such schools remain well-situated to pursue a positional advantage - standing apart from the public system in the marketplace, as they do, with the ability to present themselves as a higher-prestige alternative for a higher-prestige clientele - they will need to intentionally cultivate a relationship with the public good. What, then, might such a relationship look like?

At the most basic level, private schools must work to include a broad representation of the public on their campuses. Only then can advocacy on behalf of a single child - pursuit of the private good - also serve the public good. Providing rich learning experiences that develop a single student's full potential will invariably spill over to benefit all in the community. For that to serve the public good, however, there must be a representative community in place. As it is, private schools, on the whole, are less diverse than their public counterparts. Yet they are at a significant advantage in that they can actively cultivate highly diverse campuses.

Still, being at a private school makes the student separate from the larger system of public education - in the U.S., the system where the vast majority of American children are educated. Thus, even when an independent school cultivates a diverse and representative student body, and supports the mission of actually educating young people rather than arming them with valuable credentials, the fact remains that the school's work is bounded by its campus. The unit of impact is a single school, which is a relatively constricted definition of "the public." The world of private schools is a closed network, with no connection to the broader world of education. Yet things need not be this way; in fact, if the public good is of any concern, private schools have a mandate to network themselves into larger systems.

Imagine an alternative. Imagine a great school, with high levels of autonomy and enough resources to experiment. Imagine that this school sees itself as a laboratory, with a mission of testing out promising practices - leveraging its autonomy and resources so that many schools might benefit. Imagine such a school, for example, fusing arts into the traditional academic curriculum, and doing so in a deep, powerful, and sustainable way. It would take time, certainly. Faculty would have to develop new skills and knowledge. A curriculum would have to be developed. Key processes and procedures would have to be identified, tested, and either kept or discarded. Whatever seemed to work, though, might be documented - captured in some transmittable way. And, as a result, such a school might not only improve outcomes for its own students, but also do so for many others. Needless to say, this is not how most private schools operate today.

What is the cost of these kinds of efforts? In dollars and cents, it is hard to say. But the cost to authentic learning is precisely zero. In fact, such efforts will strengthen the education on offer. In light of this, private schools seeking to advance the mutually reinforcing aims of deep learning and the public good must set their sights on three specific targets.

First, private schools must focus on educational practices rather than status-based outcomes. It is quite possible to possess high status while providing a subjectively worse education than a typical public school. After all, status and quality are not the same thing. Many times, they are even at odds with each other. Across all aspects of the program - from the hiring of teachers to the admission of students to the way that schools communicate with parents and the public - schools must ask: Are we doing this because it will improve the learning experience, or are we doing it in pursuit of status? And they must be aware that when they promote schooling as a positional good - the darkest form of the private good - they undermine the broader public good.

Second, private schools must prioritize diversity - not as charitable work, but as a core element of their missions. Students in diverse schools will learn more socially, gain new perspectives on the world, get along better with others, and develop a greater ability to empathize. But they will also benefit academically. That's exactly why the best colleges and universities have need-blind admissions - because they know that more diverse student populations foster stronger educational experiences. Deep learning is not the result of accumulating information; instead, it requires learning to see the world from the broadest possible perspective and, as a result, seeing the world more fully and more clearly.

Finally, private schools must prioritize innovation and communication with the broader world of education. Innovative schools that actually share their practices with other schools will benefit the public good. But it is also the case that such schools will better serve their own students. Innovation is a faddish word in education. And all too often it is conflated with the acquisition of technological gadgetry. This is a mistake. By and large, there is little evidence that technology represents "innovation" in education. Innovation means constant engagement with the status quo - analyzing processes and outcomes, observing strengths and weaknesses, theorizing and hypothesizing, generating and testing new ideas, and tracking the progress of experimentation. And, again, it is most useful to the public good when it is documented and communicated.

No school, if it is to realize its full potential, and if it is to foster the public good, can be conceived of as private, parochial, or even independent. These terms imply ownership, competition, disunity, disconnection. Schools with the most freedom to act and the greatest power to affect change must not be fortresses and silos. They must be laboratories and lighthouses. And all of us, wherever we send our children, must begin to see ourselves as caretakers of all that the light can shine upon.

This article was originally published by Aeon, a digital magazine for ideas and culture. Follow them on Twitter at @aeonmag.

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What is the relationship between private schools and the public good? Opinions tend to be shaped chiefly by philosophical commitment to either individual choice or communal welfare. Arguments rarely examine the tension between private schools and the public good, or address whether it can be resolved.

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Parents can be more involved in programs in the Public school.

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When it comes to public education, misunderstandings and myths abound. Here’s what you really need to know about public schools.

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More than half public school teachers have advanced degrees

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When it comes to public education, misunderstandings and myths abound. Here’s what you really need to know about public schools.

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Public schools are getting better test results

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By Nancy Bailey

Private schools don't always want your children, might not want vouchers, and don't necessarily do better than public schools!
Kellyanne Conway and Her Kids
There's some fascinating information flying around about private schools vs. public schools, and I thought I would write about it today since vouchers are likely going to be a big part of 2017.

The news is Kellyanne Conway, President-elect Donald Trump's spokesperson, is having difficulty finding a private school in DC who will accept her children. The elitist political establishment can pick and choose which students they want for their private schools. And it looks like they are snubbing her kids.

The irony here some find sweet, since Donald Trump and his selection of voucher advocate Betsy DeVos for education secretary idolize private schools.

But the message is sad. Quite frankly, when it comes to children all should be welcome in school.

Oh. I forgot. That's public schools I'm thinking about.

If only this would give Ms. Conway pause and help her to recognize that to make America Truly Great we need to fully support the schools that accept all America's children unconditionally.
Private Schools Don't Always Want Vouchers or Your Children
It hurts children when elitists shut them out. It creates a rich and poor nation that shuns democracy. Or, in Conway's case, it rejects her children because of her connections to a President-elect many don't like.

Charters and religious schools might want vouchers, but most elite private schools don't.

They don't want to accept everyone. And they don't want to follow rules and take directions from the government.

They often don't want students with learning problems.

I know this firsthand because during my teaching career I was offered jobs as a learning specialist at two prestigious private schools. I was told that if I could not remediate the student's learning difficulties, I was to let the headmaster (or principal) know.

Part of the reason I did not take either of those jobs was because I did not want to be the person responsible for getting the students removed from school. I'd always worked in public schools with every child who entered my classroom no matter their learning problems.

Like most public school teachers, I never considered giving up on any of them!
Private Schools Aren't Better than Public Schools
I also found it interesting that no one from those schools told me I would be evaluated lower if the students failed to improve. Compare that to public school teachers and value-added assessment.

Many Americans automatically assume that private schools are better than public schools. When parents spend thousands of dollars for their students to attend those schools I suppose it makes everyone feel better to think that.

But since private schools don't have to show how accountable they are to the general public, we've never really known this to be true.

Usually teachers are paid less in private schools. And I'm never certain whether they are credentialed in the subjects they teach. Some schools do their own credentialing.

Also, it is not easy to compare private and public schools because private schools are selective with their students.
Using results from the math portion of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, the Lubienskis compared scores from more than 13,000 public, private and charter schools. The private schools did have higher raw scores. But once they controlled for factors like family income, race, and location, they found that public schools were overall getting better results from their students.
In 2013, Christopher and Sarah Lubienski, education professors at the University of Illinois, figured out that public schools actually do better. Their book (the link is below) and its valuable research has popped back up on social media.

The Lubienskis also found that autonomy wasn't helping independent and charter schools like reformers believe. Most choice schools used outmoded ideas and curriculum to attract parents because that's what parents know. Traditional public schools tried new ideas and were actually more innovative.

I have their book The Public School Advantage: Why Public Schools Outperform Private Schools and look forward to reading it soon.

All these things need to be weighed before we hand over public schools to vouchers and choice, especially since we had it right to begin with.

There are some fine private schools and if people want to pay to send their children to them that's fine. But 90% of this country's children attend public schools. Think how public schools would flourish if they were funded like they should be, and if the country got behind one great public school system!
Happy New Year!
Let's work towards that end in 2017!

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Private Schools: 3 Reasons Public Schools Are Better!

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By Nancy Bailey Private schools don't always want your children, might not want vouchers, and don't necessarily do better than public schools! Kellyanne Conway and Her Kids There's some fascinating information flying around about private schools vs. public schools, and I thought I would write about it today since vouchers are likely going to be a big part of 2017.

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Public schools are more likely to have minority students

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Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them.

When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play:

Academic reputation and college preparation

School size and class size

Safety reputation

Special programs

Costs

Religious and Moral instruction

Location

Ideology

Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools. School systems vary greatly in their academic reputation. For as many wonderful public schools that exist, there are also those that perform under the bar. Unfortunately for most families, children must go to the public school that their home is zoned in. Usually, there is a perceived or statistically supported issue with a public school's academic record that flags a parent's concern and willingness to move their child into a private school.

Private schools usually have a more rigorous academic reputation. But within the public school system, Charter Schools and Magnet schools both blur the distinction between public and private schools. Related to the academic reputation is the focus of the school on college preparation. Within the public school system, the percentage of children that go on to college differs depending on the location of the school. You can't lump all the schools together. However, you can look at the school's overall focus and whether it is on college preparation or not (and whether that is your shared focus).

School Size and Class Size can be correlated to a school's ability to execute on its academic goals. Basically, when a school gets too big, it can become burdensome to administer. Students and programs may fall through the cracks. But a school that is too small may not have enough money to support specialized programs. Class size is another factor that parents will look into when considering private or public schools. How many children will the classroom teacher be responsible for? What is the overall student-to-teacher ratio? Usually, the smaller the class size, the more attention each individual student will receive.

Safety at school and the general school environment is another factor that parents use to decide whether or not to keep their children in public school or move them into private school. Many public schools have perfectly safe environments, yet in some school districts, children may be safer in private schools. Some of this may have to do with the fact that private schools may pick and choose who they enroll, therefore keeping their classroom milieu safer.

Special programs impact parents in two different ways when considering private versus public schooling. Because public schools have a responsibility to teach all students, public schools often have in place special programs for children with special needs, be they academic or developmental in nature. Private schools, while they may have special programs for gifted students, will rarely have programs for children with special needs unless that is what the private school specializes in. There are also other kinds of special programs, for example, ones that specialize in the arts. Military, boarding, and single-sex programs are usually only found in a private setting.

Cost is another important factor that impacts the private school versus public school decision. Simply put, private schools charge tuition whereas public schools are offered free of charge. For many parents, this is the hardest factor with which to come to terms.

A factor that plays a large role in parents deciding whether to send their children to public or private school is whether or not they want religious and or moral instruction to play a part in their children's academic setting. Overall, religious and moral instruction does not play a part in public schooling.

Location is as important a factor as any other when considering whether to enroll your children in a public school or a private school. For public schools, you are either within the zoning district of the public school you want or not. If you are, then you don't need to worry about anything. If you aren't, you'll need to consider whether relocating your family is desirable and feasible in order to get your children enrolled in your public school of choice.

However, many states have instituted school choice programs that allow families who are not residents of a district to apply for admission for their child to attend that district. Oftentimes the receiving district is paid tuition to cover the expenses of educating the child by the sending district or even by the child's family. Regardless, school choice programs provide some flexibility for parents who want their child to attend a public school.

For private schools, you'll need to consider if the location is feasible for your family. Public schools provide transportation to and back from schools. Private schools may or may not.

Finally, for many families, a final factor that impacts their decision-making process is their ideology regarding private schools or public schools, classism, elitism, etc. Parents are not usually on the fence about this factor. They either believe that going to private school is okay or they believe that going to a public school is better in the theoretical sense.

Private and Public School Statistics

Now that we understand some of the main factors that families consider when deciding whether to enroll their children in private or public school, let's look at the facts. Here are statistics on both private and public schools in America:

Public schools offer a general program, designed for all. This usually includes math, English, reading, writing, science, history, and physical education. In addition, many public schools offer programs in music, art, languages, technology, and career education too. What students learn is decided by the state. In most states, learning is measured through standardized tests. The content and minimum achievement criteria in each course offered in public high schools are put forward by the state and each student must achieve this minimum criterion before receiving credit.

The charter school movement is also picking up momentum in many states. These schools are public but offer specialized programs and smaller classes and are governed by a board of directors (usually consisting of parents and community members). Charter schools have become more popular over the last decade. As of 2011, charter school legislation had passed in 41 states and the District of Columbia. There are not that many charter schools in the United States when compared to the number of traditional public schools. However, the number of charter schools is steadily growing. According to the Center for Education Reform, there were approximately 3,400 public charter schools in the US as of 2005. That figure increased to 5,300 schools in 2011 according to a 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Education. Overall enrollment in charter schools also increased, from 340,000 students in 2000 to nearly 1.8 million students in 2011.

Growth of Enrollment in Charter Schools by Academic Year
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Magnet schools are yet another public school option for families. Magnet schools are part of the public school system, however, enrollment in magnet schools is not controlled by neighborhood boundaries. Instead, students must apply to be admitted to the school. Magnet schools generally have public as well as private funding, which allows the school to offer a wider variety of educational programs, teacher training, equipment, and the like. Many magnet schools have a specialized instructional focus. For example, a magnet school might specialize in the performing arts, science, and technology or have a career-technical focus. According to the NCES, there were 2,700 magnet schools in the United States as of 2011.

Private schools have the flexibility to create specialized programs for students. For example, private schools may use art or science in all classes or take children on outdoor trips. They can create their own curriculum and assessment systems, although many choose to use standardized tests. Many parents are drawn to the alternative curriculums that private schools have to offer.

Private school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. As with earlier results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), private school students performed higher than public school students on the NAEP: 2000 tests. Their average scores were above those of public school students on the 4th-grade reading test and on the 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade science and mathematics proficiency tests.

Private high schools typically have more demanding graduation requirements than do public high schools. Compared with public schools, private schools required more coursework (in 4-year high school programs) in 1999-2000 in social studies, mathematics, science, foreign language, and computer science. For example, private schools required on average 3.1 years of mathematics, while public schools required 2.7 years. The figures for foreign language study also differed: 1.5 years at private schools but 0.5 years at public schools. In addition, about 40 percent of private schools required some form of community service for high school graduation, four times the rate for public schools (10 percent).

Public schools depend on government funds (local, state, and federal) and occasionally on funds from corporations and organizations.

Private schools depend mainly on tuition fees and funds coming from non-public sources such as religious organizations, endowments, grants, and charitable donations. Private schools can participate in federal breakfast and lunch programs, but they usually don't need to.

Public schools are, on average, at least twice the size of private schools, according to the US Department of Education Data. School size usually correlates to the population density of the local area. The average private school had 193 students in 1999-2000, whereas the average public school has 517 students, according to the NCES. The average public school had 535 students in the same area. Another way to look at this is to see that 80 percent of private schools have less than 300 students enrolled while only 29% of public schools have less than 300 students enrolled.

While smaller school size may be correlated to a more controlled academic setting, the flip side is that there is strength in numbers. Small schools have some disadvantages as well such as providing a narrower set of programs and services. The smallest high schools may not be able to offer advanced courses because they have too few students, a shortage of qualified teachers, or both.

Larger schools can often be set up to support specific groups within their student population (such as those requiring English as a Second Language targeted help). Overall, research is debatable over whether a smaller school size is correlated with a better academic setting.

The average class size in public schools is larger than in private schools. Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students become older, class size tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban schools. On average, private schools have smaller average class sizes than public schools. A 2008 study by the NCES shows that private school class sizes vary from 15.4 students up to nearly 20 students per class. For public schools, teachers average between 20 to just over 23 students per class.

Another aspect besides the actual class size is the student-to-teacher ratio. This is different from the actual classroom headcount because a school may have extra teachers that help set up programs or help with special coursework. According to the NCES, as of 2009, private schools averaged 12.5 students per teacher, compared with an average of 15.4 students per teacher in public schools. Another way to look at this is to see how many schools have a student/teacher ratio less than 10. Thirty-six percent of private schools have a student-to-teacher ratio lower than 10 to 1, whereas only 10 percent of public schools have student-to-teacher ratios lower than 10 to 1.

If you feel your child would learn better in a smaller setting, then you'll need to look towards private school. If, however, your child works well in larger groups, a public school may be the way to go.

Teachers in public schools are state-certified, which means that they have gone through the training required by the state including student teaching and coursework. They are required to hold college degrees and to be licensed by the state. Additionally, as part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all public school teachers must demonstrate that they are "highly qualified." This designation is achieved if teachers hold at least a bachelor's degree in the subject area in which they teach and are state-certified, or if they do not hold a degree in their subject area they must demonstrate competency in their area of teaching through some other means, such as testing. Public schools cannot terminate the contracts of their teachers abruptly. After completing a probationary period, teachers are granted tenure by law. They cannot be dismissed without first going through a twelve-month rehabilitation period. This too can only be done after a public hearing in which charges of incompetence or misconduct must be proven.

On the other hand, private school teachers may not be required to have certification, and often have subject-area expertise and a degree in the subject they teach. Private schools have their own personnel requirements. Private schools can terminate the terms of their teachers abruptly. Schools are free to deal with personnel matters.

Most schools-61 percent of private and 71 percent of the public-were elementary. Ten percent of private schools and 25 percent of public schools were secondary. Finally, a higher proportion of private schools (30 percent) combined education levels (usually grades K-12 or 1-12), compared with only 4 percent of public schools. Usually, public schools are broken out due to their size.

If having your child around kids that are much older or younger bothers you, you may have an easier time finding a public school that meets your needs than a private school.

Special Needs

Another aspect that needs attention is regarding children with special needs. Special education laws make it mandatory for public schools to educate and meet the special needs of these children. Therefore, most public schools have special programs and teachers for these students. Public school systems often will have specialized schools to support children with multiple special needs.

Private schools, on the other hand, have no such obligation; most private schools do not have special education programs or teachers. However, there are private schools that cater specially to special needs.

If your child has a special need, you'll need to research your options to determine whether public or private school best suits your child at this time.

Obligations

Public schools are obligated by law to educate all children, so to enroll in a public school you simply register your child by filling out the necessary forms. Public schools must accept any resident student who applies for admission, regardless of sex, race, religious affiliation, economic status, or physical or mental handicap. Public schools must also meet state graduation requirements, which vary state by state. Public schools can kick children out if their behavior is too disruptive, but the public school system will usually have in place an alternative school that the child will attend until they are no longer under the care of the public (18 years of age).

Private schools are not obligated by any laws regarding admission. Therefore, private school admission is competitive. Also, private schools are not required to provide educational programs for children with special needs. Private schools are also under no obligation to keep a student enrolled. If a child's behavior disrupts the school's milieu, they can be kicked out. Another scenario to keep in mind is that if a child's academic progress is not acceptable, they may be kicked out as well. Graduation requirements for private schools are decided by each school and are not subject to any state requirements. Many private schools do choose to align themselves with private school associations which will mandate graduation requirements.

School Admissions

In public schools, all students are admitted. In private schools, students must apply and then are invited to enroll.

Cost

Cost is another important factor that helps in deciding the type of school parents want to send their children to. State Constitutions prohibit public schools from charging residents any form of tuition or other fees for materials, supplies, textbooks, or transportation.

On the other hand, private schools do not receive tax revenues but are funded through tuition, donations, and private grants. Therefore, private schools cost more than public schools. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition fee for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $13,000 for grades 6 to 8, and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12. The median tuition fee for boarding schools is $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $27,000 for grades 6 to 9, and $28,000 for grades 9 to 12. Fees in parochial schools are a little less. Another study found that parochial schools cost $4,200 a year while other private schools charge $8,500 per student.

One thing to consider, however, is the location of public schools. That is, better-funded public schools are usually found where the average housing costs are higher than in neighboring zip codes. That said, although public school is free, you may find yourself paying more out of pocket to live in a specific school zone.

Public schools are required to provide academic and health-related services under Federal and state laws. More schools provide extended-day programs. Free and reduced-price meals must be provided to all qualified low-income students.

Private schools are permitted, but not required, to participate in the federal lunch and breakfast programs.

Religious Affiliation

Public schools are not religiously affiliated, but many private schools are religiously affiliated. In a 2009 NCES study of private schools, 68 percent of all private schools were found to have a religious affiliation, with 22 percent of those affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and another 13 percent identified with a non-denominational Christian church.

Most private schools were located primarily in central cities (42 percent) and the urban fringe or large towns (40 percent). Only 18 percent of private schools were found in rural areas. In contrast, 24 percent of all public schools were in central city locations, 45 percent in the urban fringe or large towns, and 31 percent in rural areas.

Demographic Characteristics of Students

Student populations vary on race/ethnicity and limited-English proficiency status.

Public schools were more likely than private schools to have any minority students in 1999-2000, as well as to have high concentrations of minority students (more than 30 percent). Although many private schools had a racially diverse student body, about 14 percent had no minority students, compared with only 4 percent of public schools.

Private schools are less likely than public schools to enroll students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. The eligibility rate for the National School Lunch Program is a reasonable proxy for the incidence of school poverty in public schools but is a less reliable measure in private schools. Approximately 25 percent of private school respondents in 1999-2000 did not know whether any of their students were eligible. Virtually all public schools (99 percent) had students eligible for subsidized lunches, about twice the percentage for private schools (49 percent). As of 2009, anywhere from 20 percent to 69 percent of public school students were eligible for free or reduced lunch, depending upon their state of residence. Older data shows that about 10 percent of students at private schools, on average, were eligible.

Governance

Public schools are governed by local, state, and federal laws including specifics about funding, program development, and curriculum. Public schools are required to operate for a minimum of 180 days as per the compulsory attendance law. In addition, public school teachers must be employed for at least 16 days beyond the school term.

Private schools are not subject to as many state and federal regulations as public schools. They are not subject to the limitations of state education budgets and have more freedom in designing curriculum and instruction. Private schools are required to operate for a minimum of 170 days as per compulsory attendance law. There is no regulation on employing a private school teacher beyond the school term.

Teacher's Impact and Perception

For most teaching practices-selecting teaching techniques, evaluating and grading students, disciplining students, choosing course content and skills to teach, and selecting textbooks and materials-private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to report having a lot of influence on school policymaking.

In four areas of school policy linked closely with teaching-establishing curriculum, setting student performance standards, setting discipline policy, and evaluating teachers-the sector differences were substantial. For example, 68 percent of private school teachers said they had a lot of influence on establishing curriculum, compared with 44 percent of public school teachers. In addition, private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to say that they had a lot of influence on setting student performance standards (63 versus 38 percent) and on student discipline policy (48 versus 30 percent).

In conclusion, you will find that there is no overall right or wrong answer regarding whether private or public school education is best for children today. The best thing to do when making this decision is to consider the factors and weigh which ones are important to you. Many people are so polarized around the option of having a religious affiliation that this may be the only thing important to you. For others, the costs of a private school rule it out outright for them.

In addition to working out what is important to you, you'll need to arm yourself with real numbers and information regarding the public and private schools that you are considering for your children. Go to the schools and get numbers. Finally, start early. Most private schools begin their open house and enrollment processes the year before the school year. Don't wait until summer to consider where to place your child.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @publicschoolreview

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Public School vs. Private School - PublicSchoolReview.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them. When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play: Academic reputation and college preparation School size and class size Safety reputation Special programs Costs Religious and Moral instruction Location Ideology Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools.

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Public schools are obligated to serve free and or reduced lunch programs

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Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them.

When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play:

Academic reputation and college preparation

School size and class size

Safety reputation

Special programs

Costs

Religious and Moral instruction

Location

Ideology

Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools. School systems vary greatly in their academic reputation. For as many wonderful public schools that exist, there are also those that perform under the bar. Unfortunately for most families, children must go to the public school that their home is zoned in. Usually, there is a perceived or statistically supported issue with a public school's academic record that flags a parent's concern and willingness to move their child into a private school.

Private schools usually have a more rigorous academic reputation. But within the public school system, Charter Schools and Magnet schools both blur the distinction between public and private schools. Related to the academic reputation is the focus of the school on college preparation. Within the public school system, the percentage of children that go on to college differs depending on the location of the school. You can't lump all the schools together. However, you can look at the school's overall focus and whether it is on college preparation or not (and whether that is your shared focus).

School Size and Class Size can be correlated to a school's ability to execute on its academic goals. Basically, when a school gets too big, it can become burdensome to administer. Students and programs may fall through the cracks. But a school that is too small may not have enough money to support specialized programs. Class size is another factor that parents will look into when considering private or public schools. How many children will the classroom teacher be responsible for? What is the overall student-to-teacher ratio? Usually, the smaller the class size, the more attention each individual student will receive.

Safety at school and the general school environment is another factor that parents use to decide whether or not to keep their children in public school or move them into private school. Many public schools have perfectly safe environments, yet in some school districts, children may be safer in private schools. Some of this may have to do with the fact that private schools may pick and choose who they enroll, therefore keeping their classroom milieu safer.

Special programs impact parents in two different ways when considering private versus public schooling. Because public schools have a responsibility to teach all students, public schools often have in place special programs for children with special needs, be they academic or developmental in nature. Private schools, while they may have special programs for gifted students, will rarely have programs for children with special needs unless that is what the private school specializes in. There are also other kinds of special programs, for example, ones that specialize in the arts. Military, boarding, and single-sex programs are usually only found in a private setting.

Cost is another important factor that impacts the private school versus public school decision. Simply put, private schools charge tuition whereas public schools are offered free of charge. For many parents, this is the hardest factor with which to come to terms.

A factor that plays a large role in parents deciding whether to send their children to public or private school is whether or not they want religious and or moral instruction to play a part in their children's academic setting. Overall, religious and moral instruction does not play a part in public schooling.

Location is as important a factor as any other when considering whether to enroll your children in a public school or a private school. For public schools, you are either within the zoning district of the public school you want or not. If you are, then you don't need to worry about anything. If you aren't, you'll need to consider whether relocating your family is desirable and feasible in order to get your children enrolled in your public school of choice.

However, many states have instituted school choice programs that allow families who are not residents of a district to apply for admission for their child to attend that district. Oftentimes the receiving district is paid tuition to cover the expenses of educating the child by the sending district or even by the child's family. Regardless, school choice programs provide some flexibility for parents who want their child to attend a public school.

For private schools, you'll need to consider if the location is feasible for your family. Public schools provide transportation to and back from schools. Private schools may or may not.

Finally, for many families, a final factor that impacts their decision-making process is their ideology regarding private schools or public schools, classism, elitism, etc. Parents are not usually on the fence about this factor. They either believe that going to private school is okay or they believe that going to a public school is better in the theoretical sense.

Private and Public School Statistics

Now that we understand some of the main factors that families consider when deciding whether to enroll their children in private or public school, let's look at the facts. Here are statistics on both private and public schools in America:

Public schools offer a general program, designed for all. This usually includes math, English, reading, writing, science, history, and physical education. In addition, many public schools offer programs in music, art, languages, technology, and career education too. What students learn is decided by the state. In most states, learning is measured through standardized tests. The content and minimum achievement criteria in each course offered in public high schools are put forward by the state and each student must achieve this minimum criterion before receiving credit.

The charter school movement is also picking up momentum in many states. These schools are public but offer specialized programs and smaller classes and are governed by a board of directors (usually consisting of parents and community members). Charter schools have become more popular over the last decade. As of 2011, charter school legislation had passed in 41 states and the District of Columbia. There are not that many charter schools in the United States when compared to the number of traditional public schools. However, the number of charter schools is steadily growing. According to the Center for Education Reform, there were approximately 3,400 public charter schools in the US as of 2005. That figure increased to 5,300 schools in 2011 according to a 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Education. Overall enrollment in charter schools also increased, from 340,000 students in 2000 to nearly 1.8 million students in 2011.

Growth of Enrollment in Charter Schools by Academic Year
Image Credit:

Magnet schools are yet another public school option for families. Magnet schools are part of the public school system, however, enrollment in magnet schools is not controlled by neighborhood boundaries. Instead, students must apply to be admitted to the school. Magnet schools generally have public as well as private funding, which allows the school to offer a wider variety of educational programs, teacher training, equipment, and the like. Many magnet schools have a specialized instructional focus. For example, a magnet school might specialize in the performing arts, science, and technology or have a career-technical focus. According to the NCES, there were 2,700 magnet schools in the United States as of 2011.

Private schools have the flexibility to create specialized programs for students. For example, private schools may use art or science in all classes or take children on outdoor trips. They can create their own curriculum and assessment systems, although many choose to use standardized tests. Many parents are drawn to the alternative curriculums that private schools have to offer.

Private school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. As with earlier results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), private school students performed higher than public school students on the NAEP: 2000 tests. Their average scores were above those of public school students on the 4th-grade reading test and on the 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade science and mathematics proficiency tests.

Private high schools typically have more demanding graduation requirements than do public high schools. Compared with public schools, private schools required more coursework (in 4-year high school programs) in 1999-2000 in social studies, mathematics, science, foreign language, and computer science. For example, private schools required on average 3.1 years of mathematics, while public schools required 2.7 years. The figures for foreign language study also differed: 1.5 years at private schools but 0.5 years at public schools. In addition, about 40 percent of private schools required some form of community service for high school graduation, four times the rate for public schools (10 percent).

Public schools depend on government funds (local, state, and federal) and occasionally on funds from corporations and organizations.

Private schools depend mainly on tuition fees and funds coming from non-public sources such as religious organizations, endowments, grants, and charitable donations. Private schools can participate in federal breakfast and lunch programs, but they usually don't need to.

Public schools are, on average, at least twice the size of private schools, according to the US Department of Education Data. School size usually correlates to the population density of the local area. The average private school had 193 students in 1999-2000, whereas the average public school has 517 students, according to the NCES. The average public school had 535 students in the same area. Another way to look at this is to see that 80 percent of private schools have less than 300 students enrolled while only 29% of public schools have less than 300 students enrolled.

While smaller school size may be correlated to a more controlled academic setting, the flip side is that there is strength in numbers. Small schools have some disadvantages as well such as providing a narrower set of programs and services. The smallest high schools may not be able to offer advanced courses because they have too few students, a shortage of qualified teachers, or both.

Larger schools can often be set up to support specific groups within their student population (such as those requiring English as a Second Language targeted help). Overall, research is debatable over whether a smaller school size is correlated with a better academic setting.

The average class size in public schools is larger than in private schools. Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students become older, class size tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban schools. On average, private schools have smaller average class sizes than public schools. A 2008 study by the NCES shows that private school class sizes vary from 15.4 students up to nearly 20 students per class. For public schools, teachers average between 20 to just over 23 students per class.

Another aspect besides the actual class size is the student-to-teacher ratio. This is different from the actual classroom headcount because a school may have extra teachers that help set up programs or help with special coursework. According to the NCES, as of 2009, private schools averaged 12.5 students per teacher, compared with an average of 15.4 students per teacher in public schools. Another way to look at this is to see how many schools have a student/teacher ratio less than 10. Thirty-six percent of private schools have a student-to-teacher ratio lower than 10 to 1, whereas only 10 percent of public schools have student-to-teacher ratios lower than 10 to 1.

If you feel your child would learn better in a smaller setting, then you'll need to look towards private school. If, however, your child works well in larger groups, a public school may be the way to go.

Teachers in public schools are state-certified, which means that they have gone through the training required by the state including student teaching and coursework. They are required to hold college degrees and to be licensed by the state. Additionally, as part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all public school teachers must demonstrate that they are "highly qualified." This designation is achieved if teachers hold at least a bachelor's degree in the subject area in which they teach and are state-certified, or if they do not hold a degree in their subject area they must demonstrate competency in their area of teaching through some other means, such as testing. Public schools cannot terminate the contracts of their teachers abruptly. After completing a probationary period, teachers are granted tenure by law. They cannot be dismissed without first going through a twelve-month rehabilitation period. This too can only be done after a public hearing in which charges of incompetence or misconduct must be proven.

On the other hand, private school teachers may not be required to have certification, and often have subject-area expertise and a degree in the subject they teach. Private schools have their own personnel requirements. Private schools can terminate the terms of their teachers abruptly. Schools are free to deal with personnel matters.

Most schools-61 percent of private and 71 percent of the public-were elementary. Ten percent of private schools and 25 percent of public schools were secondary. Finally, a higher proportion of private schools (30 percent) combined education levels (usually grades K-12 or 1-12), compared with only 4 percent of public schools. Usually, public schools are broken out due to their size.

If having your child around kids that are much older or younger bothers you, you may have an easier time finding a public school that meets your needs than a private school.

Special Needs

Another aspect that needs attention is regarding children with special needs. Special education laws make it mandatory for public schools to educate and meet the special needs of these children. Therefore, most public schools have special programs and teachers for these students. Public school systems often will have specialized schools to support children with multiple special needs.

Private schools, on the other hand, have no such obligation; most private schools do not have special education programs or teachers. However, there are private schools that cater specially to special needs.

If your child has a special need, you'll need to research your options to determine whether public or private school best suits your child at this time.

Obligations

Public schools are obligated by law to educate all children, so to enroll in a public school you simply register your child by filling out the necessary forms. Public schools must accept any resident student who applies for admission, regardless of sex, race, religious affiliation, economic status, or physical or mental handicap. Public schools must also meet state graduation requirements, which vary state by state. Public schools can kick children out if their behavior is too disruptive, but the public school system will usually have in place an alternative school that the child will attend until they are no longer under the care of the public (18 years of age).

Private schools are not obligated by any laws regarding admission. Therefore, private school admission is competitive. Also, private schools are not required to provide educational programs for children with special needs. Private schools are also under no obligation to keep a student enrolled. If a child's behavior disrupts the school's milieu, they can be kicked out. Another scenario to keep in mind is that if a child's academic progress is not acceptable, they may be kicked out as well. Graduation requirements for private schools are decided by each school and are not subject to any state requirements. Many private schools do choose to align themselves with private school associations which will mandate graduation requirements.

School Admissions

In public schools, all students are admitted. In private schools, students must apply and then are invited to enroll.

Cost

Cost is another important factor that helps in deciding the type of school parents want to send their children to. State Constitutions prohibit public schools from charging residents any form of tuition or other fees for materials, supplies, textbooks, or transportation.

On the other hand, private schools do not receive tax revenues but are funded through tuition, donations, and private grants. Therefore, private schools cost more than public schools. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition fee for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $13,000 for grades 6 to 8, and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12. The median tuition fee for boarding schools is $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $27,000 for grades 6 to 9, and $28,000 for grades 9 to 12. Fees in parochial schools are a little less. Another study found that parochial schools cost $4,200 a year while other private schools charge $8,500 per student.

One thing to consider, however, is the location of public schools. That is, better-funded public schools are usually found where the average housing costs are higher than in neighboring zip codes. That said, although public school is free, you may find yourself paying more out of pocket to live in a specific school zone.

Public schools are required to provide academic and health-related services under Federal and state laws. More schools provide extended-day programs. Free and reduced-price meals must be provided to all qualified low-income students.

Private schools are permitted, but not required, to participate in the federal lunch and breakfast programs.

Religious Affiliation

Public schools are not religiously affiliated, but many private schools are religiously affiliated. In a 2009 NCES study of private schools, 68 percent of all private schools were found to have a religious affiliation, with 22 percent of those affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and another 13 percent identified with a non-denominational Christian church.

Most private schools were located primarily in central cities (42 percent) and the urban fringe or large towns (40 percent). Only 18 percent of private schools were found in rural areas. In contrast, 24 percent of all public schools were in central city locations, 45 percent in the urban fringe or large towns, and 31 percent in rural areas.

Demographic Characteristics of Students

Student populations vary on race/ethnicity and limited-English proficiency status.

Public schools were more likely than private schools to have any minority students in 1999-2000, as well as to have high concentrations of minority students (more than 30 percent). Although many private schools had a racially diverse student body, about 14 percent had no minority students, compared with only 4 percent of public schools.

Private schools are less likely than public schools to enroll students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. The eligibility rate for the National School Lunch Program is a reasonable proxy for the incidence of school poverty in public schools but is a less reliable measure in private schools. Approximately 25 percent of private school respondents in 1999-2000 did not know whether any of their students were eligible. Virtually all public schools (99 percent) had students eligible for subsidized lunches, about twice the percentage for private schools (49 percent). As of 2009, anywhere from 20 percent to 69 percent of public school students were eligible for free or reduced lunch, depending upon their state of residence. Older data shows that about 10 percent of students at private schools, on average, were eligible.

Governance

Public schools are governed by local, state, and federal laws including specifics about funding, program development, and curriculum. Public schools are required to operate for a minimum of 180 days as per the compulsory attendance law. In addition, public school teachers must be employed for at least 16 days beyond the school term.

Private schools are not subject to as many state and federal regulations as public schools. They are not subject to the limitations of state education budgets and have more freedom in designing curriculum and instruction. Private schools are required to operate for a minimum of 170 days as per compulsory attendance law. There is no regulation on employing a private school teacher beyond the school term.

Teacher's Impact and Perception

For most teaching practices-selecting teaching techniques, evaluating and grading students, disciplining students, choosing course content and skills to teach, and selecting textbooks and materials-private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to report having a lot of influence on school policymaking.

In four areas of school policy linked closely with teaching-establishing curriculum, setting student performance standards, setting discipline policy, and evaluating teachers-the sector differences were substantial. For example, 68 percent of private school teachers said they had a lot of influence on establishing curriculum, compared with 44 percent of public school teachers. In addition, private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to say that they had a lot of influence on setting student performance standards (63 versus 38 percent) and on student discipline policy (48 versus 30 percent).

In conclusion, you will find that there is no overall right or wrong answer regarding whether private or public school education is best for children today. The best thing to do when making this decision is to consider the factors and weigh which ones are important to you. Many people are so polarized around the option of having a religious affiliation that this may be the only thing important to you. For others, the costs of a private school rule it out outright for them.

In addition to working out what is important to you, you'll need to arm yourself with real numbers and information regarding the public and private schools that you are considering for your children. Go to the schools and get numbers. Finally, start early. Most private schools begin their open house and enrollment processes the year before the school year. Don't wait until summer to consider where to place your child.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @publicschoolreview

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Public School vs. Private School - PublicSchoolReview.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them. When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play: Academic reputation and college preparation School size and class size Safety reputation Special programs Costs Religious and Moral instruction Location Ideology Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools.

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In public school are children are admitted immediately

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them.

When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play:

Academic reputation and college preparation

School size and class size

Safety reputation

Special programs

Costs

Religious and Moral instruction

Location

Ideology

Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools. School systems vary greatly in their academic reputation. For as many wonderful public schools that exist, there are also those that perform under the bar. Unfortunately for most families, children must go to the public school that their home is zoned in. Usually, there is a perceived or statistically supported issue with a public school's academic record that flags a parent's concern and willingness to move their child into a private school.

Private schools usually have a more rigorous academic reputation. But within the public school system, Charter Schools and Magnet schools both blur the distinction between public and private schools. Related to the academic reputation is the focus of the school on college preparation. Within the public school system, the percentage of children that go on to college differs depending on the location of the school. You can't lump all the schools together. However, you can look at the school's overall focus and whether it is on college preparation or not (and whether that is your shared focus).

School Size and Class Size can be correlated to a school's ability to execute on its academic goals. Basically, when a school gets too big, it can become burdensome to administer. Students and programs may fall through the cracks. But a school that is too small may not have enough money to support specialized programs. Class size is another factor that parents will look into when considering private or public schools. How many children will the classroom teacher be responsible for? What is the overall student-to-teacher ratio? Usually, the smaller the class size, the more attention each individual student will receive.

Safety at school and the general school environment is another factor that parents use to decide whether or not to keep their children in public school or move them into private school. Many public schools have perfectly safe environments, yet in some school districts, children may be safer in private schools. Some of this may have to do with the fact that private schools may pick and choose who they enroll, therefore keeping their classroom milieu safer.

Special programs impact parents in two different ways when considering private versus public schooling. Because public schools have a responsibility to teach all students, public schools often have in place special programs for children with special needs, be they academic or developmental in nature. Private schools, while they may have special programs for gifted students, will rarely have programs for children with special needs unless that is what the private school specializes in. There are also other kinds of special programs, for example, ones that specialize in the arts. Military, boarding, and single-sex programs are usually only found in a private setting.

Cost is another important factor that impacts the private school versus public school decision. Simply put, private schools charge tuition whereas public schools are offered free of charge. For many parents, this is the hardest factor with which to come to terms.

A factor that plays a large role in parents deciding whether to send their children to public or private school is whether or not they want religious and or moral instruction to play a part in their children's academic setting. Overall, religious and moral instruction does not play a part in public schooling.

Location is as important a factor as any other when considering whether to enroll your children in a public school or a private school. For public schools, you are either within the zoning district of the public school you want or not. If you are, then you don't need to worry about anything. If you aren't, you'll need to consider whether relocating your family is desirable and feasible in order to get your children enrolled in your public school of choice.

However, many states have instituted school choice programs that allow families who are not residents of a district to apply for admission for their child to attend that district. Oftentimes the receiving district is paid tuition to cover the expenses of educating the child by the sending district or even by the child's family. Regardless, school choice programs provide some flexibility for parents who want their child to attend a public school.

For private schools, you'll need to consider if the location is feasible for your family. Public schools provide transportation to and back from schools. Private schools may or may not.

Finally, for many families, a final factor that impacts their decision-making process is their ideology regarding private schools or public schools, classism, elitism, etc. Parents are not usually on the fence about this factor. They either believe that going to private school is okay or they believe that going to a public school is better in the theoretical sense.

Private and Public School Statistics

Now that we understand some of the main factors that families consider when deciding whether to enroll their children in private or public school, let's look at the facts. Here are statistics on both private and public schools in America:

Public schools offer a general program, designed for all. This usually includes math, English, reading, writing, science, history, and physical education. In addition, many public schools offer programs in music, art, languages, technology, and career education too. What students learn is decided by the state. In most states, learning is measured through standardized tests. The content and minimum achievement criteria in each course offered in public high schools are put forward by the state and each student must achieve this minimum criterion before receiving credit.

The charter school movement is also picking up momentum in many states. These schools are public but offer specialized programs and smaller classes and are governed by a board of directors (usually consisting of parents and community members). Charter schools have become more popular over the last decade. As of 2011, charter school legislation had passed in 41 states and the District of Columbia. There are not that many charter schools in the United States when compared to the number of traditional public schools. However, the number of charter schools is steadily growing. According to the Center for Education Reform, there were approximately 3,400 public charter schools in the US as of 2005. That figure increased to 5,300 schools in 2011 according to a 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Education. Overall enrollment in charter schools also increased, from 340,000 students in 2000 to nearly 1.8 million students in 2011.

Growth of Enrollment in Charter Schools by Academic Year
Image Credit:

Magnet schools are yet another public school option for families. Magnet schools are part of the public school system, however, enrollment in magnet schools is not controlled by neighborhood boundaries. Instead, students must apply to be admitted to the school. Magnet schools generally have public as well as private funding, which allows the school to offer a wider variety of educational programs, teacher training, equipment, and the like. Many magnet schools have a specialized instructional focus. For example, a magnet school might specialize in the performing arts, science, and technology or have a career-technical focus. According to the NCES, there were 2,700 magnet schools in the United States as of 2011.

Private schools have the flexibility to create specialized programs for students. For example, private schools may use art or science in all classes or take children on outdoor trips. They can create their own curriculum and assessment systems, although many choose to use standardized tests. Many parents are drawn to the alternative curriculums that private schools have to offer.

Private school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. As with earlier results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), private school students performed higher than public school students on the NAEP: 2000 tests. Their average scores were above those of public school students on the 4th-grade reading test and on the 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade science and mathematics proficiency tests.

Private high schools typically have more demanding graduation requirements than do public high schools. Compared with public schools, private schools required more coursework (in 4-year high school programs) in 1999-2000 in social studies, mathematics, science, foreign language, and computer science. For example, private schools required on average 3.1 years of mathematics, while public schools required 2.7 years. The figures for foreign language study also differed: 1.5 years at private schools but 0.5 years at public schools. In addition, about 40 percent of private schools required some form of community service for high school graduation, four times the rate for public schools (10 percent).

Public schools depend on government funds (local, state, and federal) and occasionally on funds from corporations and organizations.

Private schools depend mainly on tuition fees and funds coming from non-public sources such as religious organizations, endowments, grants, and charitable donations. Private schools can participate in federal breakfast and lunch programs, but they usually don't need to.

Public schools are, on average, at least twice the size of private schools, according to the US Department of Education Data. School size usually correlates to the population density of the local area. The average private school had 193 students in 1999-2000, whereas the average public school has 517 students, according to the NCES. The average public school had 535 students in the same area. Another way to look at this is to see that 80 percent of private schools have less than 300 students enrolled while only 29% of public schools have less than 300 students enrolled.

While smaller school size may be correlated to a more controlled academic setting, the flip side is that there is strength in numbers. Small schools have some disadvantages as well such as providing a narrower set of programs and services. The smallest high schools may not be able to offer advanced courses because they have too few students, a shortage of qualified teachers, or both.

Larger schools can often be set up to support specific groups within their student population (such as those requiring English as a Second Language targeted help). Overall, research is debatable over whether a smaller school size is correlated with a better academic setting.

The average class size in public schools is larger than in private schools. Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students become older, class size tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban schools. On average, private schools have smaller average class sizes than public schools. A 2008 study by the NCES shows that private school class sizes vary from 15.4 students up to nearly 20 students per class. For public schools, teachers average between 20 to just over 23 students per class.

Another aspect besides the actual class size is the student-to-teacher ratio. This is different from the actual classroom headcount because a school may have extra teachers that help set up programs or help with special coursework. According to the NCES, as of 2009, private schools averaged 12.5 students per teacher, compared with an average of 15.4 students per teacher in public schools. Another way to look at this is to see how many schools have a student/teacher ratio less than 10. Thirty-six percent of private schools have a student-to-teacher ratio lower than 10 to 1, whereas only 10 percent of public schools have student-to-teacher ratios lower than 10 to 1.

If you feel your child would learn better in a smaller setting, then you'll need to look towards private school. If, however, your child works well in larger groups, a public school may be the way to go.

Teachers in public schools are state-certified, which means that they have gone through the training required by the state including student teaching and coursework. They are required to hold college degrees and to be licensed by the state. Additionally, as part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all public school teachers must demonstrate that they are "highly qualified." This designation is achieved if teachers hold at least a bachelor's degree in the subject area in which they teach and are state-certified, or if they do not hold a degree in their subject area they must demonstrate competency in their area of teaching through some other means, such as testing. Public schools cannot terminate the contracts of their teachers abruptly. After completing a probationary period, teachers are granted tenure by law. They cannot be dismissed without first going through a twelve-month rehabilitation period. This too can only be done after a public hearing in which charges of incompetence or misconduct must be proven.

On the other hand, private school teachers may not be required to have certification, and often have subject-area expertise and a degree in the subject they teach. Private schools have their own personnel requirements. Private schools can terminate the terms of their teachers abruptly. Schools are free to deal with personnel matters.

Most schools-61 percent of private and 71 percent of the public-were elementary. Ten percent of private schools and 25 percent of public schools were secondary. Finally, a higher proportion of private schools (30 percent) combined education levels (usually grades K-12 or 1-12), compared with only 4 percent of public schools. Usually, public schools are broken out due to their size.

If having your child around kids that are much older or younger bothers you, you may have an easier time finding a public school that meets your needs than a private school.

Special Needs

Another aspect that needs attention is regarding children with special needs. Special education laws make it mandatory for public schools to educate and meet the special needs of these children. Therefore, most public schools have special programs and teachers for these students. Public school systems often will have specialized schools to support children with multiple special needs.

Private schools, on the other hand, have no such obligation; most private schools do not have special education programs or teachers. However, there are private schools that cater specially to special needs.

If your child has a special need, you'll need to research your options to determine whether public or private school best suits your child at this time.

Obligations

Public schools are obligated by law to educate all children, so to enroll in a public school you simply register your child by filling out the necessary forms. Public schools must accept any resident student who applies for admission, regardless of sex, race, religious affiliation, economic status, or physical or mental handicap. Public schools must also meet state graduation requirements, which vary state by state. Public schools can kick children out if their behavior is too disruptive, but the public school system will usually have in place an alternative school that the child will attend until they are no longer under the care of the public (18 years of age).

Private schools are not obligated by any laws regarding admission. Therefore, private school admission is competitive. Also, private schools are not required to provide educational programs for children with special needs. Private schools are also under no obligation to keep a student enrolled. If a child's behavior disrupts the school's milieu, they can be kicked out. Another scenario to keep in mind is that if a child's academic progress is not acceptable, they may be kicked out as well. Graduation requirements for private schools are decided by each school and are not subject to any state requirements. Many private schools do choose to align themselves with private school associations which will mandate graduation requirements.

School Admissions

In public schools, all students are admitted. In private schools, students must apply and then are invited to enroll.

Cost

Cost is another important factor that helps in deciding the type of school parents want to send their children to. State Constitutions prohibit public schools from charging residents any form of tuition or other fees for materials, supplies, textbooks, or transportation.

On the other hand, private schools do not receive tax revenues but are funded through tuition, donations, and private grants. Therefore, private schools cost more than public schools. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition fee for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $13,000 for grades 6 to 8, and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12. The median tuition fee for boarding schools is $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $27,000 for grades 6 to 9, and $28,000 for grades 9 to 12. Fees in parochial schools are a little less. Another study found that parochial schools cost $4,200 a year while other private schools charge $8,500 per student.

One thing to consider, however, is the location of public schools. That is, better-funded public schools are usually found where the average housing costs are higher than in neighboring zip codes. That said, although public school is free, you may find yourself paying more out of pocket to live in a specific school zone.

Public schools are required to provide academic and health-related services under Federal and state laws. More schools provide extended-day programs. Free and reduced-price meals must be provided to all qualified low-income students.

Private schools are permitted, but not required, to participate in the federal lunch and breakfast programs.

Religious Affiliation

Public schools are not religiously affiliated, but many private schools are religiously affiliated. In a 2009 NCES study of private schools, 68 percent of all private schools were found to have a religious affiliation, with 22 percent of those affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and another 13 percent identified with a non-denominational Christian church.

Most private schools were located primarily in central cities (42 percent) and the urban fringe or large towns (40 percent). Only 18 percent of private schools were found in rural areas. In contrast, 24 percent of all public schools were in central city locations, 45 percent in the urban fringe or large towns, and 31 percent in rural areas.

Demographic Characteristics of Students

Student populations vary on race/ethnicity and limited-English proficiency status.

Public schools were more likely than private schools to have any minority students in 1999-2000, as well as to have high concentrations of minority students (more than 30 percent). Although many private schools had a racially diverse student body, about 14 percent had no minority students, compared with only 4 percent of public schools.

Private schools are less likely than public schools to enroll students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. The eligibility rate for the National School Lunch Program is a reasonable proxy for the incidence of school poverty in public schools but is a less reliable measure in private schools. Approximately 25 percent of private school respondents in 1999-2000 did not know whether any of their students were eligible. Virtually all public schools (99 percent) had students eligible for subsidized lunches, about twice the percentage for private schools (49 percent). As of 2009, anywhere from 20 percent to 69 percent of public school students were eligible for free or reduced lunch, depending upon their state of residence. Older data shows that about 10 percent of students at private schools, on average, were eligible.

Governance

Public schools are governed by local, state, and federal laws including specifics about funding, program development, and curriculum. Public schools are required to operate for a minimum of 180 days as per the compulsory attendance law. In addition, public school teachers must be employed for at least 16 days beyond the school term.

Private schools are not subject to as many state and federal regulations as public schools. They are not subject to the limitations of state education budgets and have more freedom in designing curriculum and instruction. Private schools are required to operate for a minimum of 170 days as per compulsory attendance law. There is no regulation on employing a private school teacher beyond the school term.

Teacher's Impact and Perception

For most teaching practices-selecting teaching techniques, evaluating and grading students, disciplining students, choosing course content and skills to teach, and selecting textbooks and materials-private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to report having a lot of influence on school policymaking.

In four areas of school policy linked closely with teaching-establishing curriculum, setting student performance standards, setting discipline policy, and evaluating teachers-the sector differences were substantial. For example, 68 percent of private school teachers said they had a lot of influence on establishing curriculum, compared with 44 percent of public school teachers. In addition, private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to say that they had a lot of influence on setting student performance standards (63 versus 38 percent) and on student discipline policy (48 versus 30 percent).

In conclusion, you will find that there is no overall right or wrong answer regarding whether private or public school education is best for children today. The best thing to do when making this decision is to consider the factors and weigh which ones are important to you. Many people are so polarized around the option of having a religious affiliation that this may be the only thing important to you. For others, the costs of a private school rule it out outright for them.

In addition to working out what is important to you, you'll need to arm yourself with real numbers and information regarding the public and private schools that you are considering for your children. Go to the schools and get numbers. Finally, start early. Most private schools begin their open house and enrollment processes the year before the school year. Don't wait until summer to consider where to place your child.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @publicschoolreview

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Public School vs. Private School - PublicSchoolReview.com

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Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them. When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play: Academic reputation and college preparation School size and class size Safety reputation Special programs Costs Religious and Moral instruction Location Ideology Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools.

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Public schools have transportation like buses

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Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them.

When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play:

Academic reputation and college preparation

School size and class size

Safety reputation

Special programs

Costs

Religious and Moral instruction

Location

Ideology

Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools. School systems vary greatly in their academic reputation. For as many wonderful public schools that exist, there are also those that perform under the bar. Unfortunately for most families, children must go to the public school that their home is zoned in. Usually, there is a perceived or statistically supported issue with a public school's academic record that flags a parent's concern and willingness to move their child into a private school.

Private schools usually have a more rigorous academic reputation. But within the public school system, Charter Schools and Magnet schools both blur the distinction between public and private schools. Related to the academic reputation is the focus of the school on college preparation. Within the public school system, the percentage of children that go on to college differs depending on the location of the school. You can't lump all the schools together. However, you can look at the school's overall focus and whether it is on college preparation or not (and whether that is your shared focus).

School Size and Class Size can be correlated to a school's ability to execute on its academic goals. Basically, when a school gets too big, it can become burdensome to administer. Students and programs may fall through the cracks. But a school that is too small may not have enough money to support specialized programs. Class size is another factor that parents will look into when considering private or public schools. How many children will the classroom teacher be responsible for? What is the overall student-to-teacher ratio? Usually, the smaller the class size, the more attention each individual student will receive.

Safety at school and the general school environment is another factor that parents use to decide whether or not to keep their children in public school or move them into private school. Many public schools have perfectly safe environments, yet in some school districts, children may be safer in private schools. Some of this may have to do with the fact that private schools may pick and choose who they enroll, therefore keeping their classroom milieu safer.

Special programs impact parents in two different ways when considering private versus public schooling. Because public schools have a responsibility to teach all students, public schools often have in place special programs for children with special needs, be they academic or developmental in nature. Private schools, while they may have special programs for gifted students, will rarely have programs for children with special needs unless that is what the private school specializes in. There are also other kinds of special programs, for example, ones that specialize in the arts. Military, boarding, and single-sex programs are usually only found in a private setting.

Cost is another important factor that impacts the private school versus public school decision. Simply put, private schools charge tuition whereas public schools are offered free of charge. For many parents, this is the hardest factor with which to come to terms.

A factor that plays a large role in parents deciding whether to send their children to public or private school is whether or not they want religious and or moral instruction to play a part in their children's academic setting. Overall, religious and moral instruction does not play a part in public schooling.

Location is as important a factor as any other when considering whether to enroll your children in a public school or a private school. For public schools, you are either within the zoning district of the public school you want or not. If you are, then you don't need to worry about anything. If you aren't, you'll need to consider whether relocating your family is desirable and feasible in order to get your children enrolled in your public school of choice.

However, many states have instituted school choice programs that allow families who are not residents of a district to apply for admission for their child to attend that district. Oftentimes the receiving district is paid tuition to cover the expenses of educating the child by the sending district or even by the child's family. Regardless, school choice programs provide some flexibility for parents who want their child to attend a public school.

For private schools, you'll need to consider if the location is feasible for your family. Public schools provide transportation to and back from schools. Private schools may or may not.

Finally, for many families, a final factor that impacts their decision-making process is their ideology regarding private schools or public schools, classism, elitism, etc. Parents are not usually on the fence about this factor. They either believe that going to private school is okay or they believe that going to a public school is better in the theoretical sense.

Private and Public School Statistics

Now that we understand some of the main factors that families consider when deciding whether to enroll their children in private or public school, let's look at the facts. Here are statistics on both private and public schools in America:

Public schools offer a general program, designed for all. This usually includes math, English, reading, writing, science, history, and physical education. In addition, many public schools offer programs in music, art, languages, technology, and career education too. What students learn is decided by the state. In most states, learning is measured through standardized tests. The content and minimum achievement criteria in each course offered in public high schools are put forward by the state and each student must achieve this minimum criterion before receiving credit.

The charter school movement is also picking up momentum in many states. These schools are public but offer specialized programs and smaller classes and are governed by a board of directors (usually consisting of parents and community members). Charter schools have become more popular over the last decade. As of 2011, charter school legislation had passed in 41 states and the District of Columbia. There are not that many charter schools in the United States when compared to the number of traditional public schools. However, the number of charter schools is steadily growing. According to the Center for Education Reform, there were approximately 3,400 public charter schools in the US as of 2005. That figure increased to 5,300 schools in 2011 according to a 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Education. Overall enrollment in charter schools also increased, from 340,000 students in 2000 to nearly 1.8 million students in 2011.

Growth of Enrollment in Charter Schools by Academic Year
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Magnet schools are yet another public school option for families. Magnet schools are part of the public school system, however, enrollment in magnet schools is not controlled by neighborhood boundaries. Instead, students must apply to be admitted to the school. Magnet schools generally have public as well as private funding, which allows the school to offer a wider variety of educational programs, teacher training, equipment, and the like. Many magnet schools have a specialized instructional focus. For example, a magnet school might specialize in the performing arts, science, and technology or have a career-technical focus. According to the NCES, there were 2,700 magnet schools in the United States as of 2011.

Private schools have the flexibility to create specialized programs for students. For example, private schools may use art or science in all classes or take children on outdoor trips. They can create their own curriculum and assessment systems, although many choose to use standardized tests. Many parents are drawn to the alternative curriculums that private schools have to offer.

Private school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. As with earlier results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), private school students performed higher than public school students on the NAEP: 2000 tests. Their average scores were above those of public school students on the 4th-grade reading test and on the 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade science and mathematics proficiency tests.

Private high schools typically have more demanding graduation requirements than do public high schools. Compared with public schools, private schools required more coursework (in 4-year high school programs) in 1999-2000 in social studies, mathematics, science, foreign language, and computer science. For example, private schools required on average 3.1 years of mathematics, while public schools required 2.7 years. The figures for foreign language study also differed: 1.5 years at private schools but 0.5 years at public schools. In addition, about 40 percent of private schools required some form of community service for high school graduation, four times the rate for public schools (10 percent).

Public schools depend on government funds (local, state, and federal) and occasionally on funds from corporations and organizations.

Private schools depend mainly on tuition fees and funds coming from non-public sources such as religious organizations, endowments, grants, and charitable donations. Private schools can participate in federal breakfast and lunch programs, but they usually don't need to.

Public schools are, on average, at least twice the size of private schools, according to the US Department of Education Data. School size usually correlates to the population density of the local area. The average private school had 193 students in 1999-2000, whereas the average public school has 517 students, according to the NCES. The average public school had 535 students in the same area. Another way to look at this is to see that 80 percent of private schools have less than 300 students enrolled while only 29% of public schools have less than 300 students enrolled.

While smaller school size may be correlated to a more controlled academic setting, the flip side is that there is strength in numbers. Small schools have some disadvantages as well such as providing a narrower set of programs and services. The smallest high schools may not be able to offer advanced courses because they have too few students, a shortage of qualified teachers, or both.

Larger schools can often be set up to support specific groups within their student population (such as those requiring English as a Second Language targeted help). Overall, research is debatable over whether a smaller school size is correlated with a better academic setting.

The average class size in public schools is larger than in private schools. Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students become older, class size tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban schools. On average, private schools have smaller average class sizes than public schools. A 2008 study by the NCES shows that private school class sizes vary from 15.4 students up to nearly 20 students per class. For public schools, teachers average between 20 to just over 23 students per class.

Another aspect besides the actual class size is the student-to-teacher ratio. This is different from the actual classroom headcount because a school may have extra teachers that help set up programs or help with special coursework. According to the NCES, as of 2009, private schools averaged 12.5 students per teacher, compared with an average of 15.4 students per teacher in public schools. Another way to look at this is to see how many schools have a student/teacher ratio less than 10. Thirty-six percent of private schools have a student-to-teacher ratio lower than 10 to 1, whereas only 10 percent of public schools have student-to-teacher ratios lower than 10 to 1.

If you feel your child would learn better in a smaller setting, then you'll need to look towards private school. If, however, your child works well in larger groups, a public school may be the way to go.

Teachers in public schools are state-certified, which means that they have gone through the training required by the state including student teaching and coursework. They are required to hold college degrees and to be licensed by the state. Additionally, as part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all public school teachers must demonstrate that they are "highly qualified." This designation is achieved if teachers hold at least a bachelor's degree in the subject area in which they teach and are state-certified, or if they do not hold a degree in their subject area they must demonstrate competency in their area of teaching through some other means, such as testing. Public schools cannot terminate the contracts of their teachers abruptly. After completing a probationary period, teachers are granted tenure by law. They cannot be dismissed without first going through a twelve-month rehabilitation period. This too can only be done after a public hearing in which charges of incompetence or misconduct must be proven.

On the other hand, private school teachers may not be required to have certification, and often have subject-area expertise and a degree in the subject they teach. Private schools have their own personnel requirements. Private schools can terminate the terms of their teachers abruptly. Schools are free to deal with personnel matters.

Most schools-61 percent of private and 71 percent of the public-were elementary. Ten percent of private schools and 25 percent of public schools were secondary. Finally, a higher proportion of private schools (30 percent) combined education levels (usually grades K-12 or 1-12), compared with only 4 percent of public schools. Usually, public schools are broken out due to their size.

If having your child around kids that are much older or younger bothers you, you may have an easier time finding a public school that meets your needs than a private school.

Special Needs

Another aspect that needs attention is regarding children with special needs. Special education laws make it mandatory for public schools to educate and meet the special needs of these children. Therefore, most public schools have special programs and teachers for these students. Public school systems often will have specialized schools to support children with multiple special needs.

Private schools, on the other hand, have no such obligation; most private schools do not have special education programs or teachers. However, there are private schools that cater specially to special needs.

If your child has a special need, you'll need to research your options to determine whether public or private school best suits your child at this time.

Obligations

Public schools are obligated by law to educate all children, so to enroll in a public school you simply register your child by filling out the necessary forms. Public schools must accept any resident student who applies for admission, regardless of sex, race, religious affiliation, economic status, or physical or mental handicap. Public schools must also meet state graduation requirements, which vary state by state. Public schools can kick children out if their behavior is too disruptive, but the public school system will usually have in place an alternative school that the child will attend until they are no longer under the care of the public (18 years of age).

Private schools are not obligated by any laws regarding admission. Therefore, private school admission is competitive. Also, private schools are not required to provide educational programs for children with special needs. Private schools are also under no obligation to keep a student enrolled. If a child's behavior disrupts the school's milieu, they can be kicked out. Another scenario to keep in mind is that if a child's academic progress is not acceptable, they may be kicked out as well. Graduation requirements for private schools are decided by each school and are not subject to any state requirements. Many private schools do choose to align themselves with private school associations which will mandate graduation requirements.

School Admissions

In public schools, all students are admitted. In private schools, students must apply and then are invited to enroll.

Cost

Cost is another important factor that helps in deciding the type of school parents want to send their children to. State Constitutions prohibit public schools from charging residents any form of tuition or other fees for materials, supplies, textbooks, or transportation.

On the other hand, private schools do not receive tax revenues but are funded through tuition, donations, and private grants. Therefore, private schools cost more than public schools. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition fee for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $13,000 for grades 6 to 8, and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12. The median tuition fee for boarding schools is $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $27,000 for grades 6 to 9, and $28,000 for grades 9 to 12. Fees in parochial schools are a little less. Another study found that parochial schools cost $4,200 a year while other private schools charge $8,500 per student.

One thing to consider, however, is the location of public schools. That is, better-funded public schools are usually found where the average housing costs are higher than in neighboring zip codes. That said, although public school is free, you may find yourself paying more out of pocket to live in a specific school zone.

Public schools are required to provide academic and health-related services under Federal and state laws. More schools provide extended-day programs. Free and reduced-price meals must be provided to all qualified low-income students.

Private schools are permitted, but not required, to participate in the federal lunch and breakfast programs.

Religious Affiliation

Public schools are not religiously affiliated, but many private schools are religiously affiliated. In a 2009 NCES study of private schools, 68 percent of all private schools were found to have a religious affiliation, with 22 percent of those affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and another 13 percent identified with a non-denominational Christian church.

Most private schools were located primarily in central cities (42 percent) and the urban fringe or large towns (40 percent). Only 18 percent of private schools were found in rural areas. In contrast, 24 percent of all public schools were in central city locations, 45 percent in the urban fringe or large towns, and 31 percent in rural areas.

Demographic Characteristics of Students

Student populations vary on race/ethnicity and limited-English proficiency status.

Public schools were more likely than private schools to have any minority students in 1999-2000, as well as to have high concentrations of minority students (more than 30 percent). Although many private schools had a racially diverse student body, about 14 percent had no minority students, compared with only 4 percent of public schools.

Private schools are less likely than public schools to enroll students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. The eligibility rate for the National School Lunch Program is a reasonable proxy for the incidence of school poverty in public schools but is a less reliable measure in private schools. Approximately 25 percent of private school respondents in 1999-2000 did not know whether any of their students were eligible. Virtually all public schools (99 percent) had students eligible for subsidized lunches, about twice the percentage for private schools (49 percent). As of 2009, anywhere from 20 percent to 69 percent of public school students were eligible for free or reduced lunch, depending upon their state of residence. Older data shows that about 10 percent of students at private schools, on average, were eligible.

Governance

Public schools are governed by local, state, and federal laws including specifics about funding, program development, and curriculum. Public schools are required to operate for a minimum of 180 days as per the compulsory attendance law. In addition, public school teachers must be employed for at least 16 days beyond the school term.

Private schools are not subject to as many state and federal regulations as public schools. They are not subject to the limitations of state education budgets and have more freedom in designing curriculum and instruction. Private schools are required to operate for a minimum of 170 days as per compulsory attendance law. There is no regulation on employing a private school teacher beyond the school term.

Teacher's Impact and Perception

For most teaching practices-selecting teaching techniques, evaluating and grading students, disciplining students, choosing course content and skills to teach, and selecting textbooks and materials-private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to report having a lot of influence on school policymaking.

In four areas of school policy linked closely with teaching-establishing curriculum, setting student performance standards, setting discipline policy, and evaluating teachers-the sector differences were substantial. For example, 68 percent of private school teachers said they had a lot of influence on establishing curriculum, compared with 44 percent of public school teachers. In addition, private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to say that they had a lot of influence on setting student performance standards (63 versus 38 percent) and on student discipline policy (48 versus 30 percent).

In conclusion, you will find that there is no overall right or wrong answer regarding whether private or public school education is best for children today. The best thing to do when making this decision is to consider the factors and weigh which ones are important to you. Many people are so polarized around the option of having a religious affiliation that this may be the only thing important to you. For others, the costs of a private school rule it out outright for them.

In addition to working out what is important to you, you'll need to arm yourself with real numbers and information regarding the public and private schools that you are considering for your children. Go to the schools and get numbers. Finally, start early. Most private schools begin their open house and enrollment processes the year before the school year. Don't wait until summer to consider where to place your child.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @publicschoolreview

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Public School vs. Private School - PublicSchoolReview.com

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Usually, when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them. When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play: Academic reputation and college preparation School size and class size Safety reputation Special programs Costs Religious and Moral instruction Location Ideology Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools.

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By law public schools must accept all children.

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Private versus public! It's a debate that rages across the playgrounds and living rooms of America. In fact, according to a 2009 GreatSchools and Harris Interactive poll, nearly one in four parents are currently considering switching their child's school either from private to public or public to private as a result of the economy.

What's better for your youngster? How can you compare private and public schools when they seem so disparate? Is it like comparing apples and oranges - two different things that can't be fairly held to the same standards?

As any parent who has toured both kinds of school knows, it's not always easy to answer these questions. Many people have a bias one way or another. Some assume that private schools offer superior everything, justifying their tuition costs. Others contend that public schools provide more real-life experiences or, in some cases, more-developed specialty programs in athletics or science.

While this primer won't dare takes sides, it will touch on the most fundamental differences between public and private schools - as well as a few subtle distinctions that might make all the difference for your child.

The bottom line

The most obvious discrepancy between public and private schools comes down to cold, hard cash. The good news for parents is that public schools cannot charge tuition. The bad news is that public schools are complicated, often underfunded operations influenced by political winds and shortfalls. Financed through federal, state, and local taxes, public schools are part of a larger school system, which functions as a part of the government and must follow the rules and regulations set by politicians.

In contrast, private schools must generate their own funding, which typically comes from a variety of sources: tuition; private grants; and fundraising from parents, alumni, and other community members. (Ever wonder why private schools celebrate Grandparent's Day and public schools don't?) If the school is associated with a religious group, the local branch may provide an important source of funding as well.

For parents this quickly translates into the bad news: high tuition costs and sometimes an exhausting work calendar of parent-sponsored fundraisers. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition for their member private day schools in 2008-2009 in the United States was $17,441. Tuition for boarding schools was close to $37,017. (Of the 28,384 private schools in the United States, about 1,050 are affiliated with the NAIS. Average tuition for nonmember schools is substantially less: Day schools charge $10,841 and boarding schools $23,448.)

Parochial schools are even more affordable. The for the freshman year of secondary school. (Thank you, Pope Benedict XVI!) National Catholic Educational Association reports that the mean tuition for parish elementary schools is $2,607 and

The potential benefits of private schools accrue from their independence. Private schools do not receive tax revenues, so they do not have to follow the same sorts of regulations and bureaucratic processes that govern (and sometimes hinder) public schools. This allows many private schools to be highly specialized, offering differentiated learning, advanced curriculum, or programs geared toward specific religious beliefs. There are exceptions to such generalizations - charter and magnet schools are increasingly common public schools that often have a special educational focus or theme.

The admissions game

Another obvious distinction between public and private schools results from their respective admissions procedures. By law, public schools must accept all children. In many cases, enrolling your child involves little more than filling out a few forms and providing proof of your address to the local school district office. In practice, however, getting your child into the public school of his or her choice can be much more complicated.

Because not all public schools have resources for helping students with special needs, enrolling a child with a learning disability or other disorder may entail a more complex process. Similarly, in school districts with "school choice" policies, the procedure for finding a public school may require that parents enter a lottery to gain admission for their child into their top pick. Finally, at the high school level, many districts in larger metropolitan areas offer special schools with competitive enrollment based on students' GPAs or artistic portfolios.

Private schools, by their very definition, are selective. They are not obligated to accept every child, so getting admitted may involve in-depth applications with multiple interviews, essays, and testing. Because private schools define the identity of their communities, they often pick and choose between candidates based not only on their scholastic achievement but also their ethnicity and religious background - as well as the special attributes (or assets) of their parents.

Teachers, curriculum, and class size

While most people assume that teachers at private schools are as qualified as those at public ones, it's important to note that all teachers in a public school are usually state certified or, at a minimum, working toward certification. Certification ensures that a teacher has gone through the training required by the state, which includes student teaching and course work. Teachers in private schools may not be required to have certification. Instead, they often have subject-area expertise and an undergraduate or graduate degree in the subject they teach.

There's a similar discrepancy between curriculum development in private and public schools. Public schools must follow state guidelines that set out specific standards and assessment procedures. In theory, this creates a certain amount of quality control. Private schools, on the other hand, can choose whatever curriculum and assessment model they wish. This freedom to design their own curriculum or avoid standardized tests can result in higher standards for students - or lower.

Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students advance to higher grades, class size tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban schools.

While many private schools provide small classes with low student-to-teacher ratios, there is no guarantee that such schools will keep their class size below a certain level. Some private schools - Catholic ones, in particular - traditionally have larger classes than public schools.

Special needs

Due to special education laws, public schools must educate all children and provide the necessary programs to meet their special needs. This means that all school districts have special education programs and teachers who are trained to work with special-needs students.

Private schools do not have to accept children with special needs, and many choose not to (although there are a small number of private schools designed for special-needs children). As a result, most private schools do not have special education programs or teachers trained to work with that student population. Some private schools will try to help all the students they admit, but extra resources may come at an additional cost. Other private schools practice something called "counseling out" - recommending that children with learning disabilities look elsewhere for a school.

How do you know what's right for your child?

Don't rely on hearsay and rumor when it comes to deciding between private and public. Visit the schools and ask the teachers lots of questions. Read school profiles on GreatSchools. At the end of the day, the best school for your child is a highly personal decision based on your family; your values; and, most important, the special needs, idiosyncrasies, and interests of your kid. Let the debate rage on, but don't forget about the one person for whom this decision is far more than sandbox banter.

Testing at private vs. public schools

Private school students typically score higher than public school students on standardized tests, but a 2006 study (pdf) by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which took into account students' backgrounds, told a different story.

Public school students in fourth and eighth grade scored almost as well or better than their private school peers in reading and math, except that private school students excelled in eighth-grade reading.

A Harvard University study (pdf) challenged the results, using the same data but different methods. Researchers found that private schools came out ahead in 11 of 12 comparisons of students.

Earlier in 2006, an analysis of math scores by two University of Illinois researchers found similar results to the NCES study. "Charter, Private, Public Schools and Academic Achievement" states that "after accounting for the fact that private schools serve more advantaged populations, public schools perform remarkably well, often outscoring private and charter schools."

But as a dissenting view from the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation's Education Gadfly newsletter showed, the debate over which kind of school does a better job is far from settled.

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Private versus public! It's a debate that rages across the playgrounds and living rooms of America. In fact, according to a 2009 GreatSchools and Harris Interactive poll, nearly one in four parents are currently considering switching their child's school either from private to public or public to private as a result of the economy.

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4 this was not directly stated sooo..yeah

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Public schools are more diverse in race since private school parents get to choose what students their child end up with.

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There are a few essential questions for parents to consider as they wrestle with where they want to send their children to school. Do they trust in the local public school system to deliver on its promise of preparing children for an increasingly complicated world? Should they shell out for an enrollment in a private school with all the perks they claim to offer?
RELATED: As Students Walk Out, Armed Teachers Accidentally Fire Guns
For every expert extolling the virtues of keeping a child in public schools, there is another touting the benefits of going private. Comparing hard data is just as confusing: private schools are not required to release detailed data about their classes like public schools are. The only metric that both types of schools go head to head on is national testing (SAT, PSAT, & ACT). Most may not be surprised to learn private schools perform better, though districts argue that's due to those students coming from privileged backgrounds.

"Instead of just looking at the raw data, parents should instead ask themselves what type of schooling are they looking for, for their child," says Mark Dynarski of the Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institute. "What type of environment would best be suited to your child?"

Public School vs. Private School: Religion

Parents who want some form of a religious values-based learning environment will need to seek out private schools. The separation of church and state is guaranteed by the Constitution and that means local public schools can't introduce religion into the classroom. A vast majority of private school students (79 percent) attend some form of a religiously-affiliated school. A full 1.9 million kids are enrolled in Catholic institutions, making it the largest component of the private school universe. But, it's a system that is changing. According to the National Catholic Educational Association, 18.4 percent of all the students enrolled were non-Catholic, a number that has been steadily growing over the years.

The most important parts of any school are the teachers. This is one place where public schools have an advantage over private. The percentage of new teachers (less than four years teaching experience) is higher in private schools at 16 percent compared with public schools at 11 percent. "Due to higher salaries and better benefit packages, teachers gravitate towards public schools," says Dynarski. "A common complaint you hear from private schools is they feel like a feeder system for the public schools."
MORE: Elementary School Homework Probably Isn't Good for Kids
The public school teachers also have a higher percentage of master's degrees - 48 percent compared to 36 percent in private schools. Also, 85 percent of public school teachers participate in some form of professional development every twelve months compared to 67 percent in private schools. On average both schools' teachers have the same level of teaching experience at 14 years, and spend 52 hours a week on school-related activities. But, where public school teachers must be certified before they get to teach, private school teachers don't have such requirements.

One of the biggest areas of disparity is the difference between principals, which is one of the most important factors in determining a school's success according to Dynarski. Private school principals have more experience (10.8 years compared to 7.2 years) but are paid almost $25,000 less.

The difference between the public and private school class size, and student-to-teacher ratios, is considerable. In public schools, the average class size is 25 kids, compared to 19 kids per class in private schools according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Correspondingly, private schools have a better student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2 students compared to 16.1 students per teacher in public schools.

One of the biggest perks private schools tout is a diversity of classes. Since they are not under state supervision, they can offer a curriculum that suits their focus. "If you have a child that wants to study the arts, theater, music, or other such subjects a private school will be a better fit," says Dynarski. "Due to ever-changing budgets and mandated testing, public schools are more focused on the core classes, often at the expense of more peripheral subjects."

On the high school level, many private schools focus on preparing kids for college by offering a wide array of advanced placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs, and gifted studies classes. Plus, they tend to offer a wider array of extracurricular offerings and sports than public schools do.

Looking at national test scores, private schools come out on top. A recent recap of high school graduates showed private school students scoring 3.1 points higher on the ACT test. The same disparity is found in primary and middle schools according to the NCES. A comparison of mathematics tests showed private schools scored 18 points higher for eighth graders and 8 points higher for fourth graders. Reading had the same results with the private schools outscoring their public counterparts by 18 points in eighth grade and 15 points in fourth grade.

The nation's 33,600 private schools offer parents the ability to be more selective of the students that their child will spend their days with. "Numerous studies have shown that private schools, on the whole, offer a more positive peer environment," says Dynarski. Part of the reason for this phenomenon is the fact that private schools can screen who they allow in, and can tailor their offerings to the type of child they want coming through their doors. Plus, due to the fact that parents are paying, students tend to come from a higher socio-economic class. Public schools, except some charter schools, are not allowed to pick and choose who attends.

But there are problems with this. A recent study by the Southern Education Foundation showed that 43% of the nation's private schools are virtually all-white (defined as 90% or more students are white) compared to 27% of public schools. That can lead to some serious cultural isolationism for private school students.

Public schools are paid for by local taxes, and, besides some small fees, are free. Private schools can cost on average $10,740 a year, but can range from $5,330 to $25,180 according to a report from the NCES. Cost varies depending on the type of school children attend, with Catholic schools offering the best cost at $6,890 a year on average and nonsectarian schools coming in around $21,510.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Which One Is Better? Private School vs Public School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are a few essential questions for parents to consider as they wrestle with where they want to send their children to school. Do they trust in the local public school system to deliver on its promise of preparing children for an increasingly complicated world?

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Teachers in public schools get better salaries and benefit packages

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There are a few essential questions for parents to consider as they wrestle with where they want to send their children to school. Do they trust in the local public school system to deliver on its promise of preparing children for an increasingly complicated world? Should they shell out for an enrollment in a private school with all the perks they claim to offer?
RELATED: As Students Walk Out, Armed Teachers Accidentally Fire Guns
For every expert extolling the virtues of keeping a child in public schools, there is another touting the benefits of going private. Comparing hard data is just as confusing: private schools are not required to release detailed data about their classes like public schools are. The only metric that both types of schools go head to head on is national testing (SAT, PSAT, & ACT). Most may not be surprised to learn private schools perform better, though districts argue that's due to those students coming from privileged backgrounds.

"Instead of just looking at the raw data, parents should instead ask themselves what type of schooling are they looking for, for their child," says Mark Dynarski of the Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institute. "What type of environment would best be suited to your child?"

Public School vs. Private School: Religion

Parents who want some form of a religious values-based learning environment will need to seek out private schools. The separation of church and state is guaranteed by the Constitution and that means local public schools can't introduce religion into the classroom. A vast majority of private school students (79 percent) attend some form of a religiously-affiliated school. A full 1.9 million kids are enrolled in Catholic institutions, making it the largest component of the private school universe. But, it's a system that is changing. According to the National Catholic Educational Association, 18.4 percent of all the students enrolled were non-Catholic, a number that has been steadily growing over the years.

The most important parts of any school are the teachers. This is one place where public schools have an advantage over private. The percentage of new teachers (less than four years teaching experience) is higher in private schools at 16 percent compared with public schools at 11 percent. "Due to higher salaries and better benefit packages, teachers gravitate towards public schools," says Dynarski. "A common complaint you hear from private schools is they feel like a feeder system for the public schools."
MORE: Elementary School Homework Probably Isn't Good for Kids
The public school teachers also have a higher percentage of master's degrees - 48 percent compared to 36 percent in private schools. Also, 85 percent of public school teachers participate in some form of professional development every twelve months compared to 67 percent in private schools. On average both schools' teachers have the same level of teaching experience at 14 years, and spend 52 hours a week on school-related activities. But, where public school teachers must be certified before they get to teach, private school teachers don't have such requirements.

One of the biggest areas of disparity is the difference between principals, which is one of the most important factors in determining a school's success according to Dynarski. Private school principals have more experience (10.8 years compared to 7.2 years) but are paid almost $25,000 less.

The difference between the public and private school class size, and student-to-teacher ratios, is considerable. In public schools, the average class size is 25 kids, compared to 19 kids per class in private schools according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Correspondingly, private schools have a better student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2 students compared to 16.1 students per teacher in public schools.

One of the biggest perks private schools tout is a diversity of classes. Since they are not under state supervision, they can offer a curriculum that suits their focus. "If you have a child that wants to study the arts, theater, music, or other such subjects a private school will be a better fit," says Dynarski. "Due to ever-changing budgets and mandated testing, public schools are more focused on the core classes, often at the expense of more peripheral subjects."

On the high school level, many private schools focus on preparing kids for college by offering a wide array of advanced placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs, and gifted studies classes. Plus, they tend to offer a wider array of extracurricular offerings and sports than public schools do.

Looking at national test scores, private schools come out on top. A recent recap of high school graduates showed private school students scoring 3.1 points higher on the ACT test. The same disparity is found in primary and middle schools according to the NCES. A comparison of mathematics tests showed private schools scored 18 points higher for eighth graders and 8 points higher for fourth graders. Reading had the same results with the private schools outscoring their public counterparts by 18 points in eighth grade and 15 points in fourth grade.

The nation's 33,600 private schools offer parents the ability to be more selective of the students that their child will spend their days with. "Numerous studies have shown that private schools, on the whole, offer a more positive peer environment," says Dynarski. Part of the reason for this phenomenon is the fact that private schools can screen who they allow in, and can tailor their offerings to the type of child they want coming through their doors. Plus, due to the fact that parents are paying, students tend to come from a higher socio-economic class. Public schools, except some charter schools, are not allowed to pick and choose who attends.

But there are problems with this. A recent study by the Southern Education Foundation showed that 43% of the nation's private schools are virtually all-white (defined as 90% or more students are white) compared to 27% of public schools. That can lead to some serious cultural isolationism for private school students.

Public schools are paid for by local taxes, and, besides some small fees, are free. Private schools can cost on average $10,740 a year, but can range from $5,330 to $25,180 according to a report from the NCES. Cost varies depending on the type of school children attend, with Catholic schools offering the best cost at $6,890 a year on average and nonsectarian schools coming in around $21,510.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Which One Is Better? Private School vs Public School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are a few essential questions for parents to consider as they wrestle with where they want to send their children to school. Do they trust in the local public school system to deliver on its promise of preparing children for an increasingly complicated world?

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All teachers in public schools in almost all states and provinces in North America are required to have some form of federal, state or provincial certification along with a bachelor's degree.

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Private Schools Versus Public Schools | Private Vs Public

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Private vs. public school? Which is better? Here's a list of the pros and cons of private schools versus public schools in Canada and abroad.

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Public schools are basically free.

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Private School vs. Public School Breakdown

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Niche examines private and public schools to help you figure out which one may be right for students.