Should My Kids Go to Private School?

Should My Kids Go to Private School?

May 03, 2021

After a school year that challenged parents and students in ways we would have never anticipated, we are finally approaching summer and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of a global pandemic. Many Asheville residents and businesses will never be the same, but we are resilient here in western North Carolina. People are bouncing back, and life is beginning to slowly return to normal. 

As parents and families reflect on the past 12 months of working from home and learning remotely, you may be evaluating everything, including school choices. Emmanuel Lutheran School's small class sizes and commitment to providing a safe and sanitary environment allowed us to maintain in-person classes throughout the year. That is just one of the reasons you might be considering the switch to a private school. 

In this article, we want to help you answer whether or not your children should go to a private school. 

Should I Send My Kids to Private School in Asheville?

1) Do I Support My School's Mission?

A private school’s mission will tell you more than anything else about whether it is the right choice for your child. Emmanuel Lutheran School exists to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As an educational institution, we accomplish our mission by providing a rigorous academic experience in a Christ-centered environment for all children, churched and unchurched, without distinction to socio-economic status, race, national or ethnic origin, or religious creed. We are preparing children to become healthy, well-adjusted adults, fulfilling the purposes for which God created them. 

2) Can My Child Have a Quality Academic Experience?

Private schools are not mandated by the federal or state government to require the same licenses as public schools. Many parents rightly wonder if that means the quality of academics might suffer. However, many private schools have hiring standards that are even stricter than the state. Combined with the access they will have to teachers as mentors; a Christian private school may offer a better overall academic experience for your child's specific learning style and needs. 

Emmanuel Lutheran School is the only Christian parochial school in western North Carolina that implements a STEAM-based curriculum. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. STEAM empowers students using technology along with the arts to build confidence and inspire students to do great things past their middle school experiences. At the right private school, your children can absolutely have an excellent academic experience. 

3) Is There Benefit to Combining Christian Education With Academics?

Combining Christian instruction with academics can be life-changing for your child. Here are some of the ways combining Christian doctrinal education with academics have benefited ELS students:

  • Children will develop a Christian/Biblical worldview. 
  • Students will learn to see the world through gospel lenses. 
  • Children will better understand how to see their place in God's world and history. 
  • Students will be able to answer some of the most challenging questions in science and mathematics. 
  • Children will see that their faith is not at odds with creation. 
  • Students will be equipped to allow their faith to shape the way they see the earth and their neighbors. 

Historically, religious and academic education was not compartmentalized. They are not opposites but rather different sides of the same coin. 

4) Do Private Schools Have Sufficient Athletics and Extracurricular Activities?

This question will need to be answered by each institution individually. At ELS, we provide high-quality, Christ-centered athletics, fine arts, and other extracurricular programs. Our athletic program sees the organized sports experience as a platform for developing athletic, social and spiritual skills. 

Our programs help to exercise leadership and team-building skills through participation in student clubs and achieve balance through extracurricular activities. Private schools like ELS often have high-quality athletics, clubs, music, theater, and other programs. 

5) Are Small Class Sizes Worth It?

Smaller class sizes are one of the key factors that set private schools apart from public education. Our classrooms have about 40% fewer students than other area public schools. 

Smaller class sizes allow teachers to provide more individualized attention to specific students and adapt their learning styles. It also helped us practice social distancing and thereby maintain in-person classes throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Small class sizes are one of the most important reasons to consider sending your child to a private school in Asheville, NC.

Emmanuel Lutheran School is a Christian private school in Asheville, North Carolina. We love our city and community and enjoy seeing our students become well-rounded adults who serve this area. Every student has multiple opportunities to hear and believe the gospel, with teachers discipling and mentoring them to grow into the people God created them to be. 

We would love to answer your questions and schedule a tour for you to see and meet teachers and faculty. This summer, as you are evaluating what method of education to pursue for your children, give private education serious consideration. Contact Emmanuel Lutheran School for more information. 

If you want more information on choosing a private school, read our article, Questions To Ask Before Choosing a Private School.

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