Public school or private school? This is a debate that goes on in the heads of many stakeholders in the field of education. From parents, students, teachers, and even management. In this article, we’ll be looking at the differences between the two entities in various aspects.
Public School vs. Private School: Teachers
Cumulatively, teachers in public schools have many more years of teaching experience than their compatriots in the private sector. This is because private schools are more likely to take in new teachers with fewer years of experience in the field. After gaining experience, the teachers tend to shift to the public sector.
The public school teachers also have a higher percentage of master’s degrees — 48 percent compared to 36 percent in private schools. More public school teachers also participate in professional development every year than private school teachers do.
Public School vs. Private School: Class Sizes
The existing contrast between the public and private school class size, and student-to-teacher ratios, is quite extensive. According to NCES, public schools have an average class size of 25 students, compared to 19 students per class in private schools. Correspondingly, private schools have a better student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2 students, compared to 16.1 students per class.
Public School vs. Private School: Cost
State-funded schools are paid for by local taxes and, aside from some little expenses, are free. Non-public schools cost on normal $$11,004 per year yet can go somewhere in the range of $7,000 to $25,180, as indicated by a report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The differences in cost depend on the sort of students joining in, with Catholic schools offering the best expense at $6,890 per year by and large and nonsectarian schools coming in around $21,510.
Public School vs. Private School: Diversity
The nation’s 33,600 private schools offer parents the ability to be more selective about the students that spend time with their children. Numerous studies have shown that private schools, on the whole, offer a more positive peer environment. Part of the reason for this phenomenon is that private schools can screen who they allow in and tailor their offerings to the type of child they want coming through their doors. Plus, because parents are paying, students tend to come from a higher socio-economic class. Public schools, except some charter schools, are not allowed to pick and choose who attends.
Public School vs. Private School: Classes
Private schools, being under no state supervision, can offer a curriculum that suits their focus. In case you have a child who wants to study the arts, music, or other skill-based subjects, a private school will be a better fit. This is because the ever-changing budgets and mandated testing have made public schools more focused on the core classes at the expense of more peripheral subjects.
At the high school level, many private schools focus on preparing kids for college. They tend to offer a wider array of extracurricular training, advanced placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs, and gifted studies classes.
Public School vs. Private School: Test Scores
A new recap of secondary school graduates demonstrated learners from private schools scoring 3.1 points higher on the ACT. A similar discrepancy is found among primary and middle schools, as per the NCES. An examination of math tests indicated tuition-based schools scored 18 points higher for eighth-graders and 8 points higher for fourth graders. Reading had similar outcomes, with the tuition-based schools outscoring their public partners by 18 in eighth grade and 15 points in 4th grade.
In case you were thinking of starting a school, I hope this information proves resourceful and helps clear any doubt you’ve had concerning starting a private school.