Four Ways in Which Private Christian Schools are Safer

Four Ways in Which Private Christian Schools are Safer

July 20, 2018

For parents considering whether to choose private or public education for their children, academics, athletics, community, and class-size are important factors. However, safety is often the key concern for parents of school-aged children. In this article, we have compiled a short list of four ways in which private Christian schools are safer than public schools.

 

1) Private School Students are Less Likely to Experience Violence

Both private and public schools are committed to facilitating safe learning environments on their campuses; however, the crime and violence toward students occurs less than half as often for private schools, according to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics [link-source]. Additionally, a higher percentage of public school students report that they have experienced theft while at school.

2) Private School Students are Less Likely to Experience Gangs and Bullying

Shockingly, per the NCES study, almost 20% of public school students reported that gangs are present on their campuses, compared to just 2% of private school students. Bullying related statics favor private institutions as well:

  • Students Who Were Bullied: 28% Public, 21% Private
  • Students Who Were Made Fun Of: 18% Public, 14% Private
  • Students Who Were Subject of Rumors: 19% Public, 13% Private
  • Students Who Were Pushed, Shoved, Tripped, or Spit On: 8% Public, 5% Private

There are several factors that contribute to the lower bullying rates in Christian private schools, including:

  • Lower class sizes and more individual attention for students
  • More opportunity for community
  • Higher parental involvement
  • Emphasis on the gospel, grace, and mercy

3) Private School Teachers are Less Likely to Experience Threats

A particularly troubling statistic pertains to the percentage of teachers threatened with, or injured by physical violence from students. 10% of teachers have been threatened, and 6% have been harmed by students. In contrast, just 3% of private school teachers report threats or physical violence. Additionally, over 40% of public school teachers state that behavioral interruptions interfere with their ability to teach, compared to just 22% for private schools.

4) Private School Students are More Likely to Engage with Teachers and Administrators

Private schools feature class sizes well below the national average of 25 students per classroom. At Emmanuel Lutheran, our classrooms range from 10 to 20 students. Small class sizes facilitate a greater sense of community, encourage student engagement, and contribute to higher teacher retention [link to previous blog post w/ statistics]. With greater availability to attention from teachers and administrators, students are less likely to experience the neglect and loneliness that contribute to violent behavior.

For parents concerned with safety, private Christian schools are a great option. For more information about our safety procedures, class sizes, or enrollment, contact us. Emmanuel Lutheran School is a private Christian school in Asheville, NC.

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