Public School vs Private School

Public Schools vs. Private Elementary Schools in Miami

There are many advantages and disadvantages to both public and private schools. If your child is about to enter school for the first time, or if you are thinking of having your child change schools, you should know that you have choices. You want to give your child the best education but also have a difficult work schedule to consider. How do you decide if private education is really worth it? Private schools are superior to public schools in the areas of their curriculum, the teacher student ratio, and the fact your child is not exposed to nearly half of what they would be to in public schools. Do some comparing to become well informed. Here are some areas to consider while keeping your child’s best interests in mind.

Public schools tend to have more services. If your child needs any kind of special service, such as talented programs, a program for learning disabilities, speech or counseling then consider public school. Public schools also offer more opportunities in terms of programs like foreign languages and arts. They have more teachers, more money, more space, and therefore more resources. Private schools on the other hand, have different types of opportunities such as, religious classes, activities involving your personal situations and individual time with teachers.

Private schools tend to have a smaller teacher to student ratio. Public schools normally put as many kids in a class they legally can. Overcrowding in the classroom is one of the major complaints about the public school education. Students in private school have their teachers complete attention whereas in public school a teacher will only remember your name if you often interact with them or because of your classroom participation.

Public school curriculum is state mandated so that every school in the state has the same textbooks, materials and standardized exams. So it is taught at the level of the mid-level achieving student, so for the high achievers it can be to slow. Private schools are not required to use state curriculum which make it more challenging because they are able to provide a more enriched, interactive curriculum and often able to write it themselves according to the child’s needs.

Behavioral and social issues, racial diversity, and cultural adversity are faced at any school and is said to get worse each year at public schools. Kids get tougher and tougher to deal with so you have to ask yourself whether your child will be affected in that environment. Ask a private school teacher and their answer will differ. It may be because the parents that are willing to pay for schooling and are more involved. Although both schools offer parents to volunteer the majority of parents that do volunteer have their child in a private school. Most parents that can take that extra step know more about their child, his/her teachers and environment.

Some other things to consider are public schools are free except for the taxes we all pay whereas private school tuition can range from $14,000 to $80,000 annually (that’s just an estimate they can be less or more.) Public schools offer busing services which is a major convenience for both parent and student. Private schools offer small private buses that need to be paid on a weekly basis. Also, public schools offer a free lunch program funded by the government according to the parent’s income and in private school that is not an option. Lastly, the afterschool program in public schools are for a charge and their hours aren’t as convenient as in private school whereas in private school it is included with the tuition and the child has a minimum of two tutors and a snack with longer hours to offer parents that need it.

You’ve got a choice in your child’s education, and it is important to check out and research all options. Talk to other parents and neighbors for their opinions of local schools and what is available in your area. I, myself have attended both private and public schools and now that I am a mother, private school without a doubt is the right option. The environment, students, teachers, staff members and most importantly the classroom size make a huge difference as to what kids are exposed to so young in public schools. Personally, I feel it’s easier to lose focus in public school due to the amount of students per teacher and the “popularity contest” such as your appearance, shoes, social status, etc. Speaking from experience the “peer pressure” is a major issue in public school compared to in private school it never was a problem. Private schools are more “sheltered” which to me is a great thing for our kids. So once you have gathered all the information and have met with school administrators and teachers you will be able to make your decision.