How to Choose Between Private and Public School

Education is the central most important aspect of your child's upbringing, and as such it is one of the most important concerns that you, as a Savvy Daddy, have. You want your child to become not only a productive adult but a successful one, and a proper education is central to meeting those goals.

Knowing that, where do you begin? Of course you've been educating your child for the last six years, but now it's time to entrust his or her education to someone you don't know. Who do you choose? How do you even begin to make that decision?

If you're not planning on home schooling, you essentially have three clear options: public schools, private schools and parochial schools. These three schools have both many advantages and many disadvantages, so how do you decide where to enroll your little students?

Firstly, you have to understand the differences between these systems. Public schools are tax-payer-funded institutions that are mandated and overseen by governmental bodies. As such, they are subject to the laws and requirements of both the federal and your state governments. Private schools, on the other hand, are funded by student tuition, and they are not overseen by governmental bodies. Instead, they regulate themselves, but may be accredited according to governmental standards. Parochial schools are very similar to private ones, but are governed by the religious body they represent.

The question of where to put your child generally boils down to a few main issues - what you can afford, what your child needs, what you want for your child and how you feel about the schools in your area.

1. Assess your child's needs - Your child's needs may play a big role in the school you choose. For instance, if you have a special needs child, then public schools may be better suited to helping your child learn. Private schools are sometimes not equipped for special needs kids, and many don't consider them in the recruitment process. Then again, if you have a gifted child, you may want him enrolled in a private school that will cater to his intellect. Magnet schools (public schools that specialize in certain fields) may also be an option for you.
   
   
2. Assess your own needs - What do you want for your child? Do you want him to be taught in your community? Do you want him to have a general education that will allow him to decide later what his specialty may be? Public schools, then, are probably good choice. If, however, you want him to be taught in a structured, selective environment, or if you want his education to reflect your religious beliefs, then private or parochial schools would be a safer bet, respectively.
   
   
3. Talk to other parents - Talk to parents in your community. Find out how they feel about your school district, how big the class sizes are, and how much attention individual children receive. If you're considering a private school, arrange through the school to meet with parents of its students. Ask the same questions of them. Beware, however, that you don't just accept what they tell you out of hand. Although talking to parents gives you a good feel for the situation, nothing beats actual research.
   
   
4. Tour the schools - If you're considering a few specific schools, you can't make an informed decision without touring the grounds, talking to the administrators and teachers, checking out the classrooms and seeing things for yourself. Don't make snap judgments without doing your research.
   
   
5. Assess your financial situation - In the end, it may all boil down to a matter of how much you're willing to spend. Private schools, on average, cost the most, with tuitions for elementary school kids climbing as high as $20,000 a year. Parochial schools charge tuition, as well, but generally keep their fees at a more manageable level - say, in the $6,000 per/year per/student range. Public schools, on the other hand, charge no tuition. They levy taxes, instead, so you've already paid for your student's tuition whether he's going there or not.

Choosing where to enroll your student is a big choice. It takes research, forethought and financial considerations, and after touring 10 schools you may not be any farther ahead then you were 10 schools ago. For more help on deciding how to education your child, check out these resources here, here and here.