Private school can be a better option than public school for a number of reasons. If you choose private school for your child you will find that it can provide a higher degree of flexibility in both schedule and curriculum. In addition, children in private school benefit from more individualized learning plans and smaller student to teacher ratios. These differences can have a positive and long-lasting impact on your child’s education.

Flexible schedule

The public school schedule is dictated by a number of outside factors. The state dictates the amount of time that students are expected to spend in the classroom during a given year. In addition, the holiday schedules of public schools are set far in advance and often coincide with the holiday schedule of all the surrounding public school districts. Private schools have much more flexibility when it comes to creating a schedule. All of the planned times off do not necessarily line up exactly with the scheduled breaks of public school. This means that families with children in private school can avoid the crowds by traveling on different dates than the families from public school.

Flexible curriculum

Private schools have much more flexibility when it comes to choosing and implementing curriculum. The level of red tape that exists in the public school system is not a part of private education. This can be a better option for your child than the standardized curriculum taught in public schools. For example, in Montessori education the teacher develops individualized learning plans for each child. These plans are based on the educational needs and interests of that child. If a child is advanced in a particular subject, they are able to move through the content at their own pace. The teacher has the flexibility to provide the student with the next level of curriculum to meet their academic needs. Conversely, if a student is struggling with a particular piece of content that student is able to continue working until they reach mastery. The flexibility in curriculum that private school offers can be a better option for your student no matter where he or she falls on the academic spectrum.

Smaller student to teacher ratio

Private school can also be a better option because of the smaller student to teacher ratio it offers. The average student to teacher ratio in the public school is at sixteen to one. In some public districts and age groups the class size can swell to over twenty students per teacher. In contrast, this ratio can be much smaller in private school. For example, the teacher to student ration at Fountainhead Montessori School ranges anywhere from 1:3 to 1:12 depending on the age group and needs of the class. This smaller class size allows the teacher to carefully observe each student and adjust curriculum based on individual needs. In addition, smaller class sizes give students more opportunities to interact with their peers and teacher on a meaningful level. This can benefit students academically, socially, and emotionally.

If you are looking for an educational setting where there is more flexibility in schedule and curriculum than private school is the best option. Each private school has its own schedule and curriculum options so you will have to do your homework to find the one that is the best fit for your child in that regard. Smaller class sizes than those you will find in public school are a common element in private education. If you want your child to be in a classroom with a low student to teacher ratio then private school is definitely the way to go. Ultimately, the choice to send your child to private school is one that you will make based on the needs of both the child and your family. You can learn more about what Fountainhead Montessori School has to offer and even schedule a time to observe a class at www.fms.org.