Public vs. Private Schools: How to Give your Child the Best, Affordable Education
It is a common notion that the more income a family has, the more likely they are to select private education for their children. While most children grow up to be happy and educated adults out of both public and private institutions, there are certainly some pros and cons worth weighing if you are fortunate enough to select the option of your choice.
Private Schools
Although private schools are enriched with modern amenities and comfort, they usually burn a big hole in your pocket. So the one who isn’t financially well-off would think twice before choosing the right kind of school for his/her kid. According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, roughly 10% of the students in the U.S attend a private school. Quite contrasting a statistic, considering the standard of living of the United States citizens.
There are a number of reasons as to why some people opt for private schools; flexible curriculum, single-sex education, religion, small class-size, effective anti-bullying campaigns, the notion that “private is better” are a few of those which push parents towards the private education sector. However, since private schools are independently funded, a huge sum of money is charged from the parents or the guardians. Moreover, it is not mandatory for private schools to employ certified teachers, which may prove to be a point of concern in the long-run.
Public Schools
The word ‘public’ implies diversity. In a public school, students from all walks of life are enrolled and thus one can easily see diversity in the form of religion, status, general views, etc. Though, such diversity can often trigger a clash between group of students, one can easily learn to ‘adjust’, a quality that will help an individual in the long-term. This trait of ‘adjustment’ plays a big role in the life that comes after high school. A person’s workplace is diverse, and if they fail to adjust with their office colleagues, they are sure to be doomed not only in professional life but indirectly in personal life as well.
Looking at the stats, we can fairly assume that nearly 50 million people enroll in public schools, a humongous number while compared to the students in the former category. Money, definitely, is the major cause for such a sharp increase in number. However parents are becoming more aware now-a-days and look at the broader picture of the scenario.
Since public schools are funded by the government and have to cater to a large group, classes are bound to be of big size; in some cases, the infrastructure may also be not up to the mark as parents are not charged any tuition fee. The trend is, however, changing as public schools have now started to bridge this gap. For instance, public institutes like Charter and Magnet have lately started following public-school-like flexible curriculum, high academic standards, etc. and that too at no additional fee.
Bottom Line
It is a common knowledge that to be enrolled in a private school, one must be financially sound. But, the public schools have now started to catch up with them and may as well turn out to be the “value for money.”
Wokandapix / Pixabay
Rob Thornhill
Latest posts by Rob Thornhill (see all)
- Public vs. Private Schools: How to Give your Child the Best, Affordable Education - June 20, 2017
- 4 Expensive Habits You Should Break for Good - May 9, 2017
- 7 Outstanding Female Investors - April 1, 2017