There are many things to consider when you are deciding on where to send your child to school. There is no right or wrong answer because the correct answer depends on what is best for your child and your family.
Learning styles and family values play an important role in that decision-making process. Class size, diversity, and curriculum are determining factors as well. And we can’t forget about athletic and academic opportunities. And obviously, financial implications do come into play when making your decision since private schools are not covered by the taxes you are paying.
To help you make this important decision, you can read about the advantages and disadvantages of both private schools and public schools in the following article. We understand the importance of this decision and how it’s crucial to weigh all the factors.
Is Private Education Right for My Elementary Schooler?
The Advantages of Private School
The enhanced rigor of academic programs is one of the main advantages of enrolling your child in a private school. Private schools typically have significantly stricter graduation standards than public schools. Private schools also typically enroll kids who are more motivated to excel academically because private schools can be selective in who they accept.
Since private schools can be more selective in who attends the school, concerns regarding school safety and behavioral problems are less common in the private school setting.
Private schools also have smaller class sizes and are able to provide more individualized instruction to the students with an instructor who is most likely happier and more passionate about teaching due to the shared values and appreciated input in decision-making.
Since private schools are not funded by the government, they typically have newer supplies and textbooks and have access to more recent resources. Private schools are also not governed by big brother, so they can choose what curriculum they deem best, allowing the teachers to have input into that curriculum.
Parents will often choose a private school based on shared values and beliefs. An example of this is the core values of Emmanuel Lutheran School:
- Scripture Alone – God’s revelation of Himself, through the inerrant Word of His Law and Gospel in the Bible, to His most loved creation-man.
- Grace Alone – Only by the empowering grace of God can we hope to approach and understand our Creator. His greatest evidence of grace to us is found in His Son, Jesus Christ.
- Faith Alone – Having begun to see the greatness of God’s love for us as understood in His Word through the gracious intention of His will, our faithful response comes in areas such as:
- Our belief in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Our realization of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- Our foundation that life is of God and, as such, is always precious
- Our worship of God is active through both corporate fellowship and daily devotions and prayer, and our giving back to God with all that we have and do
- Our relationships with each other are extensions of God’s love
- Our excitement over His love for us compels us to make disciples of all
- Our integrity is seen in every one of our actions
The Disadvantages of Private School
The main disadvantage of private schools is the cost. Since private schools do not receive government funding, they are funded through student tuition. This added expense of schooling can be costly. However, most private schools offer monthly payment plans and have tuition assistance programs you can apply for.
Another disadvantage is the lack of diversity in private schools. Due to the tuition cost, private schools may lack ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic diversity.
There is an application process to get into private schools, and many schools have waiting lists, so there is a chance your child will not be able to attend.
The Advantages of Public School
The curriculum is uniform, so students needing to change schools will have an easier transition academically. Public schools tend to have more students, and some children thrive in that type of environment. Your student will be in a classroom with an ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic diverse population.
There is no application process, so all students are welcome to attend regardless of academic profile, religious creed, or developmental level.
Public school costs are included in your taxes, so the education is free and includes transportation, textbooks, free or reduced meals, and free before and after-school programs.
The Disadvantages of Public School
Public school is regulated by the government, so teachers and parents do not have a say in the curriculum taught or the policies and procedures in place.
Parents don’t get to choose the school at which their children are being educated.
Large class sizes cause some students to get lost in the shuffle. If your student is gifted or struggling, there is more of a chance they will get left behind because public school teachers do not have the time for individualized instruction due to large class sizes.
School funding is based on the area or location of the school, so most schools are underfunded, causing the teachers and students to not have the resources they need to be successful.
Emmanuel Lutheran School
Your child will have excellent learning and development opportunities in both public and private schools. Finding the school that best suits your child, your family, and your goals for your child’s education is just a matter of doing your research, asking a lot of questions, and finding the best fit.
At Emmanuel Lutheran School, we believe in providing the tools needed to help equip our students to succeed in their academic pursuits and to become productive members of the church and society. If you live in the area and are looking for a school for your child, enrolling them in a private Christian school is one of the best choices you can make to improve their school experience.
For additional information about our private Christian school, contact us today.