Private schools or public schools?

When deciding the type of school to send your child to, the options come down to private schools or public schools. While the consensus on whether one is better than the other is mixed at best, there are differences in the two options that you should consider. To begin with, public schools are part of a larger political structure that resides in Washington DC and is part of the American desire to offer every child in this country the opportunity to enjoy an education, at least until the end of school. secondary. Due to this political agenda, schools in the United States are, to some extent, standardized with similar curriculum across the country. So no matter where you live, the education you receive at a public school in Detroit, Michigan will be very similar to the education you would receive in Austin, Texas. Another factor that is standardized in the public sphere is teacher certification. All teachers employed in public schools are certified and credentialed to teach in accordance with the rules and regulations of this gigantic federal scheme. This is not always a bad thing; it’s just the way it is in the system.

There are variations to this, of course, with the addition of specialist schools and schools for the disabled. On the other hand, private schools are not under any of the curricular hurdles of public schools. Private schools are free to choose and offer a wide variety of class options. Teachers on the private side are also not restricted in credentials. Many private school teachers are chosen for mastery of a particular subject rather than having a teaching certificate and background more in line with public school requirements. Is this better or worse? There are many opinions on this question, but nothing definitive as to a clear answer.

Of course, the biggest difference between the two is the difference in cost and enrollment process. Public schools are prohibited from charging tuition as the tax base covers the fees for a public education. Enrollment is usually as simple as visiting the school and filling out a few forms. With private schools, tuition fees can range from a few thousand dollars per semester to tens of thousands of dollars. However, there are alternatives. Some of the least expensive private schools, and some would say the best, are parochial schools like those of the Jesuit order. Admission to any of these schools can be a slow process involving tests and interviews. This process is primarily due to the fact that, unlike their public counterparts, private schools do not have to accept everyone who applies.