As a parent, you are well aware that every child is unique. You can have two kids with the same parents, in the same household, who approach life in completely different ways. These differences mean that one method of teaching that works well with one student may not work at all for another. It can feel overwhelming to explore options for your child’s education because you cannot necessarily determine if a school will be a good fit for your child just because it worked for someone else. This issue is very evident in the public school classroom. Public schools have children who range in ability and backgrounds. The way the public school handles these differences is to focus on the average – provide instruction that works for most of the students. This approach works well as long as your child falls squarely in the middle. If you have a child who is gifted in one or multiple areas, for example, public school can be boring and frustrating. Parents with children who do not fall directly in the middle often seek out private school programs. The same question comes up in private school as well – is it a good fit for all children? Who can do well within the private school model?

Are private school programs a good fit for all children?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for education. This fact is what makes the private school design so valuable. Private schools are not governed by the state in the same way as public schools. Private programs can choose or design their own curriculum. The roles of the teacher, students, testing, and homework can all be defined based on the underlying philosophy of the private school. If things need to be adjusted, private programs have the flexibility to make changes quickly. Private schools and public schools are very different from one another. When you compare different private programs, you will see that each program is unique. All of these differences make private schools an option that can accommodate all types of children. You can search for a private school that is a good fit for your child. Private school provides options for children who need more than what public school has to offer.

Who can do well within the private school model?

The private school model is a good option for any child who does well with individualized instruction. Private programs are typically smaller and provide more opportunities than public programs for individualized instruction. You can also find private programs that provide individualized learning plans and customized learning opportunities. Every child – regardless of ability – does better with customized learning opportunities versus curriculum designed for the masses. In Montessori schools, for example, the teacher creates an individualized learning plan for each student.

There is a private school program available to meet the needs of every type of student. A good place to start your search is with Montessori Programs. The Montessori Philosophy is based on the belief that each child is unique and needs individualized instruction. This means that your child will be provided with customized learning opportunities instead of being expected to deal with instruction that goes too slow or too quickly. Take a look at the resources in the Fountainhead Montessori School parent library to learn more about Montessori education.