Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Which Should You Choose - Public Or Private

Most responsible parents will share a few common concerns when it comes to the well-being of their children. One of those concerns pertains to their children's education. We all want to be sure that our child is receiving the best possible education. Without a good, solid education it is impossible to succeed, especially given the circumstances the world finds itself in at the moment. A good education has never been more important or necessary than it is today.

The Big Question - Private Versus Public Schools, Which Is Better?

Most kids end up at public schools, but the number of parents who choose a private school education for their child (or children), is on the increase. Within the realm of private schools are the so-called parochial schools, or Christian schools. The average parent will enrol their child in a Christian private school because that is what they know. In other words, it aligns with their own personal beliefs, the way they view the world, and the community in which they live. That is all very well and good, but not all private parochial schools are created equal!

The truth is that it really does not matter whether you send your child to a private or to a public school, since children from both can, and do, fare well. There are many excellent public schools, staffed by caring and dedicated teachers. Choosing to send your child to one of the Christian schools however, will require you to weigh the options available to your child as a student of a particular school. However, one must also, in these uncertain economic times, take the cost of enrolment into account as well.

It is no secret that there are many parents who would prefer that their child attend a private rather than a public school. Unfortunately, the fact that tuition fees are usually very high prevents many children from receiving a private school education and opportunities. That said, parents should not be discouraged. Most schools that are private also provide financial advice and aid. Some provide other incentives, such as offering parents discounted tuition fees in exchange for their services at various events and functions, such as at fundraisers, for instance. Churches affiliated to Christian schools, such as would be the case with Catholic schools, also provide financial assistance.

Of course, your reasons for enrolling your child in a private school could include the fact that he or she has special needs. Some kids with special needs fare much better in the private school environment than they would do in the public school one. This is due in large part to the fact that in private institutions the student-teacher ratio is often smaller than would be the case in public schools. This affords the teacher more opportunity to work with the students individually.

Of course there are other equally viable reasons for choosing private schooling, not least of which is the fact that these schools are aligned with many of the top colleges. However, engaging your child in this decision is also important. Find out what their opinions are as well. Weigh your options and you are sure to find the right school for your child's needs. Remember, there is a lot of stiff competition for your child to deal with by the time they've completed their education. You want to be sure that they have every advantage available.