Private School or Public School – The Pros and Cons of Each

There are positives and negatives to sending your child to a public school. The first positive point is there is no tuition you need to pay in order for your child to attend. As long as your child lives in the area the school district serves attendance is free. This can be a big deciding factor in whether your child attends public or private school.

The second positive point is the school is over seen by the state. Each state decides what the curriculum the school district should follow and they also decide what benchmarks a child has to accomplish in order to move on to the next grade. Having a set curriculum can be great because you know your child is going to learn certain things but it also can be hard for children who don’t do well in a traditional school setting. In a public school unless your child is considered special needs the curriculum isn’t very flexible. There are some major subject topics that are controversial, such as sex ed or religion, that will or will not be taught; if you would like your child exposed to these topics ask what the school curriculum states. Whether of not a public school will approach controversial subjects can be deciding factor for a parent in whether their child attends a particular school.

A third benefit is all the teachers teaching need to have a degree and be certified by the state. This way you know they all receive a minimum 4 year degree and have passed a state test.

A fourth factor to keep in mind is there are no entrance exams to go to attend a public school. Your child may have to take a placement test to see what grade level they are at but it doesn’t determine whether they attend or not.

Private schools do have tuition fees and can be expensive. If you don’t pay your child doesn’t go, unlike a public school where your child is guaranteed the right to an education. Often there is finical aid, scholarships and/or financing available that you may be eligible for which can help eliminate finical concerns.

Private schools do have curriculums like public schools but they are not overseen by the state. Private schools do not have to follow state regulations like public schools do. This can be considered a pro and a con. This is great for a child who needs flexibility but what ever is taught in the classroom is the teacher’s decision. The teacher also decides what benchmarks the child has to meet in order to move on to the next grade. Some private schools allow the teachers to individually make that decision or they sit down as a whole and decide what those benchmarks will be.

Another factor that can be considered a pro and con is the education requirements that teachers need to adhere to. Private schools do not have to have teachers with degrees or certification. Some private schools will set standards higher then public schools some will not. When you are looking at schools don’t be afraid to ask those types of questions.

Deciding on a private or public school can be a hard decision. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, write them down before hand so you don’t forget anything. Your child’s well being is the only thing you need to be concerned about. There are no stupid questions!