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Private schools are those schools that are privately run and that do not receive any kind of financial assistance from the government at the state, local, or national level. There are generally two types of private schools: boarding schools where the students live and attend classes during the school year and day schools that allow students to live at home and commute to school.
Whereas public schools that cater to children from kindergarten through 12th grade are required to accept all students, regardless of their income or special needs, private schools are much more selective. Competition for open spots at private schools is often extremely competitive.
Private schools do not have to meet as stringent educational requirements as public schools, nor do they typically have budget constraints, which means they have a greater flexibility in designing curriculum and programs that are specialized to their students' needs. -
Because they do not receive government assistance, such as tax revenues, private schools rely heavily on tuition, grants from the private sector, fundraising, and donations to pay for everyday costs. Tuition at private schools can vary greatly but often cost thousands of dollars per year per student with parochial schools often charging less in tuition than other private schools.
Students who are accepted into a private school have several options for paying their tuition. In addition to parents paying tuition upfront or applying for loans, parents can also apply for financial aid with the school or apply to participate in a tuition payment plan.
Most private schools also offer scholarships for which students can apply to cover the cost of their tuition, and in some cases, boarding costs. -
Choosing a private school requires careful consideration of your child's particular educational needs, and it's a process in which you should include your child. There are several factors you want to consider in your search for the right private school, including average class size, cost of tuition, the school's curriculum and the type of technology that is used. For example, will your child have the opportunity to become proficient at using the computer?
Be sure that the private school you are considering is accredited by an independent accreditation body or it is currently going through accreditation. Accreditation simply means that an independent entity has evaluated and has approved the private school. Private schools generally have to meet tough standards for accreditation.
Once you have narrowed your choices down, be sure to visit the private schools to determine which is best for your child.
