Public School vs. Private School
Because the topic interests me so much, I decided to do some research a little and find out: private school vs. public school: what's the difference, and which is better?
So first, let's review the pros and cons of public and private school:
Public School:
Pros:
•Free education
•Economic diversity
•You get to go to school with your neighbors, instead of shlepping through the cold in a plaid skirt
•Everyone is admitted, you don't have to have perfect test scores
Cons:
•Facilities aren't always so great (you know, those 30 year old textbooks that say Richard Nixon is the current president?)
•Everything is on a budget, so you're lucky if there's an art program
•Classes are so huge, the teacher is never going to call on you
Private School:
Pros:
•Often there is financial aid, especially in recent years
•Excellent facilities and more art programs
•Smaller classes and schools, so the teachers notice you
•Less focus on test scores
•Parent involvement
•High standards
Cons:
•Public schools are shaping up, so you may want to reconsider paying $30,000 just for school
•If you're on financial aid, the divide between social classes may be a little intimidating
•Unless you're frickin' Einstein, you are almost certainly not getting financial aid anytime soon
Other info:
•88% of private school students go to college. Compare that to 57% of public schoolers.
•According to this source the median tuition cost for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1-3, $13, 000 for grades 6-8 and $15,000 for 9-12 grades. Of course, at Dalton School, it's $30,000.
I did a bunch of research for this, but I already have seen the facilities at a private school, so I know the difference fist hand. Years ago, I went to a summer day camp at a private school, and the difference was clear. I was amazed at the woodshop, the art rooms that own the tiny art room at my school, and how darn clean everything was. Once someone found a dead bug in their school lunch, and plenty more on the floor. I imagine the experience of a private school is more like an education, than a herd of cows.
If you can afford a private school, you might enjoy the experience better. If you can pay for it, you might as well take the benefits to your advantage. If you can't, don't worry. As you can see, public schools are very good. But if you're a good student, you can always file for financial help, and make it in.
Sources:
•http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8743221/
•http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/gpreschool/67271.html
•http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/752/public_versus_private_school_education.html
So first, let's review the pros and cons of public and private school:
Public School:
Pros:
•Free education
•Economic diversity
•You get to go to school with your neighbors, instead of shlepping through the cold in a plaid skirt
•Everyone is admitted, you don't have to have perfect test scores
Cons:
•Facilities aren't always so great (you know, those 30 year old textbooks that say Richard Nixon is the current president?)
•Everything is on a budget, so you're lucky if there's an art program
•Classes are so huge, the teacher is never going to call on you
Private School:
Pros:
•Often there is financial aid, especially in recent years
•Excellent facilities and more art programs
•Smaller classes and schools, so the teachers notice you
•Less focus on test scores
•Parent involvement
•High standards
Cons:
•Public schools are shaping up, so you may want to reconsider paying $30,000 just for school
•If you're on financial aid, the divide between social classes may be a little intimidating
•Unless you're frickin' Einstein, you are almost certainly not getting financial aid anytime soon
Other info:
•88% of private school students go to college. Compare that to 57% of public schoolers.
•According to this source the median tuition cost for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1-3, $13, 000 for grades 6-8 and $15,000 for 9-12 grades. Of course, at Dalton School, it's $30,000.
I did a bunch of research for this, but I already have seen the facilities at a private school, so I know the difference fist hand. Years ago, I went to a summer day camp at a private school, and the difference was clear. I was amazed at the woodshop, the art rooms that own the tiny art room at my school, and how darn clean everything was. Once someone found a dead bug in their school lunch, and plenty more on the floor. I imagine the experience of a private school is more like an education, than a herd of cows.
If you can afford a private school, you might enjoy the experience better. If you can pay for it, you might as well take the benefits to your advantage. If you can't, don't worry. As you can see, public schools are very good. But if you're a good student, you can always file for financial help, and make it in.
Sources:
•http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8743221/
•http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/gpreschool/67271.html
•http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/752/public_versus_private_school_education.html
"Everything is on a budget, so you're lucky if there's an art program"
In Private schools they can be on budgets too, Private schools don't get funding from the goverment, so they need to make there own money, I have heard of some pretty cheap private schools.
anouther issue with private schools is not only lack of economic diversity, but social as well.
Mycophobia, July 10th, 2007 at 12:01:51am
I used to go to public school while my cousin goes to a private school, I have nothing against the people but sometimes I think minds are brainwashed into their way of thinking. My cousin used to love ska music and now she is into classical arts, painting and doing preformances which I had no objection to but sometimes I thin that private schools only care about the top level of society.
schooldropout, June 21st, 2007 at 05:17:47am
I have been a public school for 8 years now and we always had art programs and music and there isn't a lot of us so the teachers had time for everyone. I would never go to a private school because I don't think i would get used. And I don't have the money anyway....
worn-out astronaut., June 20th, 2007 at 01:48:33pm
I have been in a heap of different schools and to be honest- I was bullied, treated like a complete dumbass and ostricised in (and I have been thinking about this a LOT) every public school I have ever been to. Maybe we were just bad at choosing schools, or maybe I have natural bad luck, but because I was the most intellegent (not bragging. This is true. I had the highest vocabulary in every grade I have ever been in), the other kids resented me to the point where they resorted to making me lose my self-esteem. I got a lot of pschological damage in schools.
I have only attended public schools in primary years, so I have no idea if the same does indeed apply in high school. But I will say that since starting a private high school, it's been a lot easier for me to find outlets and friends. No one shuns me for being intellegent here, and if they do they are in other classes so I never have to deal with them.
To be honest, it is just what suits a particular person. If there was a law passed so I couldn't go to a private school, it would upset me greatly. I like my education facilities. And I'm glad I have the opportunity to enjoy them.
GreenDayCookieFairy, June 20th, 2007 at 04:17:25am
I go to a private school. I went to a public school for years kindergarten to six, and I must say high school is much better. The only downside to my school that I consider negative is either our strict uniform rules, or compulsory religion education. Of course, this comes with going to a private school. However, the public schools in my area are not very good, both academically and socially.
The Brightside., June 20th, 2007 at 02:49:53am
I went to a private Catholic school. Two words: It sucked. D: In the eighth grade there was only one boy and seven girls. Now I am in public school and I ADORE it. :D I also went to a Montessori school for Kindergarten and fist grade and I am very fortunate to have had the wonderful opportunity to have gone there. But no school is perfect.
eifhakdjsfh, June 20th, 2007 at 02:03:54am
i go to a private all girls catholic school. i want out. In my area, its either you go to a public school, or a same sex school that is catholic, there is nothing else. And most of the public schools in the area have bad reputations, but most of that is lies.
I understand how lucky i am to go to a private school, with the facilities and what not, but the fact that its an all girls school, that is really killing me , i hate it. And Catholic, the religion, i think i would be more religious if i didnt go to a religious school. i dont like having things shoved down my throat in large portions, i completely hate it. i dont like religion class either, its a waste of my time!
Other than that, i wouldnt mind going to the school.
But i know for a fact that i wont be at this school next year, i have made it final with my mum, i just cant ttake it. I cant take the people there seriously either, theyre all sheep. They all act the same, the same hair cuts, they are all italian.
im not being racist towards italian people, i am half italian myself, but the people there just exploit it so much and they cant even speak italian, they all try to act it, theyre all doof doof's and wear the same clothes and end up looking like bogans... its horrible.....
Vegemite, June 20th, 2007 at 01:49:59am
It really all comes down to what's best for you. No two people are the same.
Demonic., June 19th, 2007 at 09:29:08pm
i went to a Private School for like...3 months then i left cause of the sh*t they did.
they try to control you. i hate theeeemmmmmmmmmmmmmm. me and my brother both left that school. it sucked. ive been to two private schools and they both sucked. their very biased.
i found Public schools..yeah their a little less equipped but they do the best with what they've got. the teachers obviously love what their doing for the mediochre wage that they come in every day and teach. :)
matt good., June 19th, 2007 at 09:06:02pm
Well, I live in NYC, so I live near some of the most prestigious prep schools in America: Spence, Brearley...
But I'd have to get financial aid if I wanted to go there. But I am a very good student.
Demonic., June 19th, 2007 at 08:47:01pm
I suppose my situation is somewhat unique then. Lawrenceville Prep, one of the premiere private schools in the country is less than a half hour from me, and it's nearly the same price as most colleges. However, that's not to say my parents don't have the money. I live in an upper-middle class area, therefore if my parents wanted to send me to a private school, they could.
On the other hand, the public school in my town is one of the premiere public schools in the state. I realize how lucky I am, for I'm getting a top notch education and my school, although falling apart, has numerous luxuries.
I don't know what I meant to say here, but some public schools are just as good as private, and therefore there's no need to pay extra.
But your blog is right, and a good number of public schools really aren't up to par.
Rainbows in the Dark, June 19th, 2007 at 08:35:05pm