When making a school choice, families today can select from public schools, charter schools, online schools and private independent schools. Many families ask: what are the advantages to a private school education? With more than 2,000 private schools in the United States educating more than 700,000 pre-k through high school students, private schools today are especially in-demand because they are often uniquely positioned to offer families a school choice during the pandemic that is in-person or virtual learning, challenges and nurtures, is mission driven and prepares their child for the future. Almost 100 percent of private school graduates go on to college and half of those attend highly selective colleges.
There are many advantages to a private school education. Today, many private schools are responding to the pandemic by offering families a blended solution: the choice of in-person or virtual learning, options other types of schools often can’t offer, and the flexibility to move between the two options as a family’s comfort level changes. If you find yourself wondering: “are private schools worth it?”, here are just a few of the advantages to choosing a private school over any other type of school:
School Choice That Aligns With Your Family’s Values
There are many different types of private schools – day school or boarding school, religious or non-denominational, co-ed or single sex – and, unlike other school choices, private schools are mission driven with their own unique philosophy. Each family can choose the private school whose mission resonates and aligns with their family’s values.
Instills a Love of Learning in Students
Private schools typically have the flexibility to teach how students learn best and deliver challenging academics in innovative ways. This “freedom within a framework” engages students, taps into their natural curiosity and stokes their desire to learn, creating lifelong learners who thrive in school and beyond.
Students and Teachers Develop Close Relationships
Lower student-to-teacher ratios allow private school teachers to develop close relationships with a stable group of students which is key to their intellectual and emotional growth and learning. A close teacher-student relationship helps students feel known, understood, believed in and challenged to be their best.
Offer Differentiated Learning to Effectively Challenge Each Student
With lower student-to-teacher ratios, private school teachers can tailor their lessons to their students’ unique skills, interests, passions and curiosities. Private school teachers can also respond and meet every child where they’re at academically and push students forward with the right balance of challenge and nurture. As a result, students feel confident and assured in their academic abilities throughout their learning journey.
Focus on the Whole Child
Character education teaches and celebrates character traits like respect, empathy, self control and cooperation that are integral to both academic achievement and success in life. Private schools recognize the importance of character education and often build it into their curriculum intentionally rather than treating it as an add on. This creates an environment where students feel secure knowing their classmates value compassion and respect; perform better academically because they can practice self control; and become the best versions of themselves because they feel more confident.
Prepares Students for Their Future
Private schools prepare students for the future with academically rigorous curricula that also incorporate tough-to-teach skills like critical thinking, collaboration and proactiveness. Private schools that combine a challenging curriculum with powerful and innovative experiences graduate students with 21st century skills who are also purpose-driven leaders, prepared to shape the world for good. .
If you’d like to continue this conversation with us and learn more about the benefits of a private school education, we invite you to take our virtual tour and get in touch with Associate Director of Advancement Alison Schers in our Admission office at 404-873-6985 or admission@tcsatl.org.
