Out of all schools across the country, approximately 25% are private schools. With 2.63 million students in private elementary schools as of 2016, a large amount of families are clearly choosing to send their children to private schools over public schools. Should your child join the millions of young students at some of the country’s best day schools? Here are just a few of the advantages of attending private schools that may benefit your children.
Starting Off Strong: Individualized Preprimary Programs
For many families, giving their child an early start by attending one of the best preschools possible is the best choice. In 2015, 87% of five-year-old children were enrolled in various private preschools across the country. Combining education and day care by sending their young children to private preschool also gives parents additional time for work or relief from the stress of parenting. Of all three-, four-, and five-year-olds in preschools in 2015, 51% attended full-day programs, giving the parents the confidence of knowing their children were cared for in some of the best preschools while they went about their days.
Next Steps: Private Elementary and Middle Schools
After preschools, many families who have chosen private schools for earlier years will continue to keep their children in private school during their primary education. Because kids are at such a crucial stage in their development, having parents and teachers heavily involved in education, as they often are in private school, is largely beneficial for students. In fact, only 3% of private school teachers report a lack of parental involvement as a problem in their schools, compared to a whopping 24% in public schools. This level of parental involvement as found in the best private education programs can increase the likelihood of a child going on to complete secondary education drastically, as well as improving their future performance.
Preparing for Post-Secondary Success: Private High Schools
Some of the strongest benefits of private education are seen at the secondary level, particularly when it comes to preparing for college. Counselors at private school spend roughly 33% more of their time than public school counselors advising their students on college-related subjects. This focus on post-secondary education can be seen in students’ test scores, too; the national average SAT score at private schools is 175 points higher than the average for public schools.
Private or Public: the Right Choice for Your Child
With so many options available for education, it can be difficult determining the best path for your family when it comes to enrolling in schools. However, with some of the best preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools being private schools that provide numerous benefits to your children, private schooling is an incredibly popular option among many families.
