The switch from public school to private education will come with a long list of benefits. Your child will enjoy smaller class size, more individualized instruction, and unique enrichment opportunities. On top of that, you can choose a program that aligns with your own beliefs about education. These benefits – and others – make it worth transitioning out of public school to private. However, many parents are concerned that the transition to private education will be difficult – financially and for the student. You can prepare your family and your student for a transition to private education by taking a few basic steps.
How to plan financially for the transition to private education
There is a tuition cost that comes with private education and no tuition for public education. This is a factor that causes many families to stick with public school. Many families realize, however, that the benefits of private school are well worth the cost of tuition. If you have decided that private school is best, you do have some options for minimizing the financial impact on your family. One option is to add tuition to your monthly budget. You can set your tuition to come out in 12 installments over the course of the year. This option will allow you to pay in smaller increments without one large payment. If you are able to pay a larger payment, you can choose to pay by semester or by the year. Both options typically come with some type of discount. They also come with the added benefit that you can mark tuition off of your to-do list and not think about it until next year. These options provide flexibility so you can do what is best financially for your family while providing your child with the opportunity to go to private school.
How to help your student with the transition to private school
If your child is already in a public school program, the transition to private school can seem intimidating. Your child will have a new school building, a different classroom, and new kids to meet. There are some things you can do to help your child with this transition if he or she is feeling unsure. One option is to take your child for a tour of the campus. Meeting the teacher, seeing the classroom, and exploring the school can help your child feel comfortable with the new environment. You can also talk to your child about the unique enrichment opportunities that will be available in the new school that were not at the old school. At Fountainhead Montessori School, for example, enrichment programs like language immersion and gardening are something students get excited about.
The unknowns that you and your child face about the transition to private school are the factors that make it seem difficult. The more unknowns that you eliminate, the easier the transition will be for everyone involved. You can go online and schedule a time to tour the campus and observe a class at Fountainhead Montessori School.