Q: How does myfamily decide between public and private school?

Talk to the parents of any rising elementary, middle orhigh school student about school choice and they lead with this one question:Private or public? Which one is right? The short answer: Both.

Families have manyreasons for choosing either a public or private school. Those reasons evolve asa child grows. Entering one type of school doesn’t mean that school will be right for thechild later on. Needless to say, there’s a lot to consider. Here are the manypros I hear parents list.

Public schools

• Our family believes in public educationand wants to support an institution fundamental to our democratic society.

• We want a neighborhood community for ourchildren.

• Public education is funded by taxdollars and is virtually free (other than contributions to school fundraisingthat sometimes fund services at schools).

Private schools

• Our student needs support that’s madepossible by a smaller class size. (Over my years of practice, I've found theaverage class size in private school ranges from 12 to 20 students.)

• Our family values, including religiousaffiliation, aligns better with the philosophy of a particular private school.

• Our student has specialized interests,aptitudes or needs that are best supported by the services of a particularprivate school.

Often, parents will ask me if a private schooleducation is “better” for their children. My answer: Not necessarily. Within both publicand private schools, families find high quality programs, curricula andinstruction. Academic rigor depends on the curriculum, teacher abilities andresources, a specific child’s needs and the family’s own support system.

Many assumeprivate schools have better resources but so do public schools. In fact, publicschools are required to have these resources by law. You don’t always have thatguarantee at a private school. 

“No matter the school, a family needs to partner with teachers andreinforce positive learning habits at home.”

A school’s degreeof academic excellence depends on having strong, engaging curriculum thatchallenges students to grow while fostering a love of learning and allowingteachers to innovate. Both public and private schools have standards — internal and external — towhich they adhere as well as set goals for teachers. You’ll also find varying levelsof support for and freedom of teachers at different schools.

As such, no matterthe school, a family needs to partner with teachers and reinforce positivelearning habits at home. Parents’ language, behavior and faith in a child’scapacity matter to a student’s resilience and persistence — and those qualities have significant and lastingimpact.

So, what should parents consider?

Parents need to look at both sides of the equation:family and school. Before investigating schools, clarify your child's and yourfamily’s needs. Consider these factors:

• Values— What are your values aroundeducation? What matters most to you? How do your own learning experienceinfluence choices you make for your child? Does a school need to mirror yourvalues?

   

• Learning needs — Does your child have special interests, aptitudes,learning needs?

   

• Sense of community — Where is your child’s primary community situated? Whatrole do you hope the school community will play in your child’s and your family’slife?

   

• Cost — How much can you afford to spendon education?

   

• Commute —Is it reasonable for your family to commute to school? On a daily basis forseveral years? Will you move for a particular school?

Then, when you do start the hunt for schools, considerthese factors:

• Curriculum— Does the curriculum developessential skills and thinking dispositions? Does it inspire teachers toinnovate and adapt? Is it real world and relevant?

   

• Teachers —How long have teachers been at the school? Do they collaborate? Do they havesupport in the classroom to meet the needs of individual learners? Whatprofessional development do they receive?

   

• Administrators — What is the mission of the school? How does it valuethe student-teacher dynamic? How do administrators support teachers? How dothey relate to parents?

   

• Parent involvement — Can parents be involved in the school? In what ways?How do parents partner with teachers in support of a child? What communicationdo parents receive from teachers and administrators on a regular basis? Whatavenues are available to parents to advocate for one student? For all students?

There’s no magic formula that ensures positiveeducation outcomes. Public and private schools can both lead to educationalsuccess for a child. How a school fits into each stage of a child’s education — more than type of school — has a greater impact on a successful education. So, don’t ask “public or private?” Ask: “Where will my child thrive?”