The ongoing debate regarding private and public schools has become a very controversial topic throughout the years. While research shows no difference between the different schooling methods, public opinion says otherwise. Private schools come with many benefits including a smaller learning environment, more one-on-one help, and a tighter community. However, private schools can cost from $10,000 to $40,000 a year while public school is practically free. This can certainly be a drawback for many parents who want to send their kids to private school. Public school also has many benefits including a larger and more “real world-like” environment, more diversity, and more options for sports and school clubs. Public school better prepares students for the real world while private school students are very sheltered, making it hard for them to adapt once they graduate. When it comes to academics, there is no evidence to show that private school is better at educating students than public school as students from both schools generally have the same academic opportunities. All of these factors play into the controversy and stir public opinion on whether private school is really worth it.
Every private school is unique, but all of them share one characteristic that many parents see as the primary benefit of private schools: smaller class sizes. A smaller teacher to student ratio may increase the student’s academic performance because the student is able to get individualized attention they may need to succeed. A student from The Galloway School, a private school, states, “The teachers see you better than when there are 35 students in a class. It is also very beneficial because getting advice and help is much easier.” Another benefit to private schools is safety.Although most public schools are perfectly safe, in some counties this is not the case. Because of the smaller community and more security in private schools, they are known to be the safer option. This is another important factor that may lead to a parent choosing private school over public school. Although private school may seem like the better option, many studies show that public school is just as good, if not better. Private schools are known to be too sheltering to their students and unable to adequately prepare them for the real world. Because public schools have a larger environment and much more diversity, students are able to easily adapt to the real world after graduation. Brock Clement, a student from North Atlanta Highschool, a public school, says, “I think many students who attend private school are stuck in a bubble and because of this, they could see long term negative effects.” These long term negative effects may include difficulty adjusting to the real world, lack of exposure to more diverse people of different backgrounds, and difficulty completing work individually after relying on direct help from teachers throughout all of their private school experience. Gabby Bunnell, a student at Duke University who has also attended private school her whole life, says, “I went to private school and when I got to college I felt very sheltered and unprepared for the real world. Private school may have academic challenges, but public school allows much more social and emotional growth.” Public schools also offer more opportunities for sports or school clubs. Students are more involved in the sports, whether it’s cheering in the stands with your friends or participating in the game. This can be crucial to giving the students a memorable and fun highschool experience, which many private schools lack the ability to do. Another student from The Galloway School says, “I don't know that a private school student, especially in high school, really gets to have that teenage experience.” Public schools and private schools both have many benefits and drawbacks. The biggest drawback that private schools face is their tuition. Parents pay from $10,000 to $40,000 a year in order for their child to attend private school, whereas public school is almost entirely paid for by local and government taxes. Although the smaller environment and more one-on-one help of private schools may be beneficial to some students, it comes at a great cost. Abby Eckl, another student from North Atlanta Highschool, says, “My brother struggles with social issues and needs a smaller environment to learn, which is why my parents decided to send him to private school. In this case, I believe that private school is worth the cost.” In cases like these, sending a child to private school is well worth the expense. When trying to decide if private school is worth it, all of these factors must be taken into consideration. A student who does not suffer from any learning disabilities may thrive better at a public school, while also being exposed to more diversity and real world-like issues. This will better prepare the student for life after graduation. A student who may suffer from learning disabilities or social issues may thrive better at a private school. This student will receive more one-on-one attention and have the opportunity to learn more at their own pace. Students who attend public school are generally more adjusted to the real world, ultimately causing them to thrive in life after graduation. However, if a student is in need of special academic attention and a smaller learning environment, private school is well worth it. Works Cited Chen, Grace. "Public School vs. Private School." Public School Review, 5 Apr. 2019, Public School vs. Private School. Accessed 5 Apr. 2019. Public schooling accounts for 90 percent of American students' education, but with 27,000 private schools, it is evident there is a major portion of parents deciding to send their children to parochial and non-parochial schools. Private schools rely on academic reputation and a more rigorous curriculum to attract parents. Lindenberger, Hudson. "Private School vs. Public School: Facts, Benefits & Statistics." Fatherly, 5 Feb. 2020, www.fatherly.com/love-money/education/private-school-vs-public-school-facts-benefits-statistics/. Accessed 5 Feb. 2020. 57 million students are enrolled in public, private, charter, and parochial schools. The major factor for parents being the cost of private education and its proposed benefits. The average price of a private school is 10,740 dollars a year but can range anywhere from 5,330 dollars to 25,180 dollars. Neal, Derek. "What have we learned about the benefits of private schooling?" Federal Reserve Bank of New York. ProQuest 5000, search.proquest.com/docview/210393208/BF0F06F1314C4222PQ/3?accountid=4879. Accessed Mar. 1998. This paper goes into an in depth analysis of the major differences within private and public schools. It also incorporates the challenges with minorities and religion within the two schools. Strauss, Valerie. "No, private schools aren't better at educating kids than public schools. Why this new study matters." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2018/07/26/no-private-schools-arent-better-at-educating-kids-than-public-schools-why-this-new-study-matters/. Accessed 26 July 2018. When looking at the culture of academics, private schools have been hailed as having the ability to give students an advantage over their public schooled peers. Yet when looking at the data, this is not true. When family income is factored into the equation it is shown that private schools offer no advantage to students. Watt, Tony. "Are small schools and private schools better for adolescents' emotional adjustment?" American Sociological Association. ProQuest 5000, search.proquest.com/docview/216499823/24DAA5A4EEE2483DPQ/2?accountid=4879. Accessed Oct. 2003. This text analyzes if private schools cause anxiety and depression of the students and whether public schools do the same or tend to not influence mental health as severely. The results of this study shows that private schools actually do influence student's mental health and emotional adjustments more so than public schools.
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