While educational options are constantly developing, according to the Huffington Post, “in 2021, it is projected that private schools will have 9% of the US student population. That being said, the majority of young people attend public school. Whether this is a preference or a status held begrudgingly, many parents may not have the down-low on private school life enough to make an informed decision as to if this to be considered.
Today, I will specifically give you my evaluation of this environment for your consideration. The first assessment that many parents consider is the cost. However, if you find an educational environment that best serves your child’s needs, consider the cost after you weigh the pros and cons…obviously putting the cost as a con. The first element to consider is safety.
The larger the population, the higher the risk of an incident. This is sheer numbers and common sense. More students to manage is more difficult than a smaller group. Secondly, most private schools have application and interview processes for admittance. Schools will have automatic disqualifiers such as a history of violence, emotional disturbance, drug use, or other behavioral issues. Is this evaluation full proof? Absolutely not. Although school records are required, letters of recommendation acquired, and a trained interviewer assessing the child, information can go undiscovered. Most of the time in my experience, parents of troubled students will cover up or even lie for their child to get them into the school.
Private schools in general also have a higher standard of behavior as well as academic performance that students must adhere to or risk being removed. The counterpart to this guideline is that private schools rely strongly upon tuition. Depending upon the financial stability of the institution, there may be strict or lax adherence to admittance guidelines. Ask for a financial report. Pay special attention to the endowment amount as well as the annual budget for the clearest picture as to the health of the institution. The healthier they are, the less they need numbers and are therefore able to be more selective of their student population.
Next, you should be granted access to student body testing results as well as a report of academic achievements, college acceptance rates, military enlistment, and sports or other competition results. Although these numbers do not guarantee success or the healthiest environment, it is a good indicator.
Next, talk to other parents. Don’t rely on online ratings, as these are usually dictated by extreme situations as well as staff testimonials as a part of marketing to offset negative remarks. When you do speak with other parents, it is easy and expected for you to hear about what they “like”. Ask the parents what they would change, or to give you an example as to any struggles that their children have faced at the school. Any report that is completely one-sided cannot be trusted.
Finally, let’s get to the money. Why does private education cost as much as it does? The answer is simple. They must pay the salaries of their employees, pay the bills, and they do not receive state funding like public schools. Please keep in mind that teachers in private schools normally make around $10,000 less than their public school counterparts. This is good and bad. The reasoning, I will mention tomorrow in my 3rd and final post on this topic.
While the money is definitely a determining factor, keep in mind that most private schools have financial assistance. There are donors, programs, alumni, and even family that may be willing to assist you. The question is how badly do you want it. If getting them into a private school environment is what you want, you will try to find a way. Keep in mind my comment in part one of this series (click here to view). Vocational opportunities at many private schools come with tuition advantages for the children of employees. This is how I was able to manage our costs.
Your child’s education is a serious matter. It is one that takes assessment and investigation to arrive at an educated decision. Take the time to do your due diligence. Be well informed. Be the best dad possible.
Deacon
The Dad Manual 