You have decided that private school is the best option for your child. Getting to a place where you know that you want your child to go to private school instead of public school is an important first step. The next step in the process is to determine which private school is the right option for your child. You can sort through the options and narrow them down by considering a few important factors about each.

What is the educational philosophy of the school?

The educational philosophy of a private school program will determine the number of important elements about the school, including curriculum, classroom design, class size, and the goals for students. The very first thing you need to do in your search for a private school is to learn about the educational philosophy of each one. If you do not agree with the philosophy of a particular school, then you can quickly take it off of your list for consideration and move on to the next option.

What is the role of the teacher?

The role of the teacher is another factor to consider when choosing between private school programs. What role does the teacher fulfill for the class as a whole and the students individually? For example, in the Montessori classroom, the teacher spends time interacting with and observing each student individually. She then uses what she learns about the student to customize a learning plan to that student’s needs and abilities. The role of the teacher will look different between the private school programs.

What types of enrichment programs are available?

One factor that draws people to private schools over public programs is the greater flexibility that private schools have when it comes to enrichment programs. Public schools have a lot of red tape to deal with any time they want to bring in a new type of enrichment program. Public schools, on the other hand, have much more flexibility in the types of programs they bring in and how quickly they can make changes. If there is a particular type of program that is important to you – language immersion, art, technology – then be sure and consider what is available at a private school before you make a final decision.  

The three factors outlined above should help you narrow down your list of private school programs. Digging into the educational philosophy, the role of the teacher and available enrichment programs at a particular school will give you a lot of information to consider. Once you have a shortlist of options, you can dig even deeper by scheduling a tour of each program as well as a time to observe a class.