Parents are intimately involved in trying to provide the best for their children. Food that will help their little bodies to grow up strong and healthy and a comfortable place to rest their bodies at night are only a couple things that a child needs. A parent should also be involved in the quality of education provided for their children. When comparing private school vs. public school, making note of the key differences between the two will make the decision of the best environment for your child to gain an education easier.

Private school

In a private school environment, the curriculum can be changed and molded to fit the students in the classroom. The flexibility that a private school is allowed can make the classrooms more fun and interactive. New methods or tried and true approaches can be implemented without the pressure of a standardized test looming at the end of the year.

School administration answers to parents who are paying for enrollment, avoiding the state from setting standards that do not allow all students to thrive.

Another benefit to private school is the class size. On average, the typical private school classroom has about twelve students in it. This allows the teacher to pay close attention to how each student is doing so every student receives the attention they need.

The disadvantage for families choosing to put their kids in private school is, of course, the cost. On average across the U.S., private schools cost about $10,000 every year per student. Some schools across the country can even be upwards of $40,000 a year. This could be a huge burden on a family and may be a deciding factor that dissuades parents from choosing private school.

Public school

The main advantage public school has over private school is the cost. While public school is not free, but rather paid for through taxes, it is not a lump sum that a family has to pay all at once like with tuition. Also, you must still pay taxes regardless if you are also paying for private school tuition.

Public school classrooms are often overcrowded and make it difficult for teachers to give all students enough attention so that they all succeed. Taking time to discipline students who do not see the value in their education can also eat into precious class time.

Because public schools serve a majority of students, a one size fits all approach is adopted which often does not give the more advanced students the ability to continue moving on as well as allows students who are struggling with a subject to fall through the cracks.

For working parents, public schools can provide a place for their children to attend during school hours and often after hour care. Many disadvantaged students can also receive free lunches at public school.

Public school can also provide a quality education when your child has a passionate teacher who goes above and beyond to provide students in their class the best material for learning possible. Another advantage to public school is all of the systems and processes are well in place from the bus system to after school programs and athletic programs.

Deciding where your child attends school is a big decision and one that should be well researched. The cost of private school comes with huge academic and developmental advantages that could greatly impact your child’s future. If you would like to see a private school classroom in action, contact Fountainhead Montessori School in the Bay Area, CA to set up an observation of how the classroom operates and what benefits your child could receive from a private school education.