comparison essay public and private schools

Essay on Public Schools vs Private Schools

Public school vs private school essay introduction, public schools vs private schools: classroom size & admission, essay about private and public schools: cost & tuition, private school vs public school essay conclusion.

Need to compare and contrast public and private schools? Essay samples like this one will help you with this task! Here, you will learn about advantages, disadvantages, and differences between public schools vs private schools. Choose your side of the debate and persuade the readers in your public school vs private school essay!

Comparing private and public schools can be more or less like comparing oranges and apples, two very disparate things that can never be held on similar standards. Choosing the best school for your child is one of the most important decisions parents have to make for their children but most parents rely on rumors and hearsay in deciding on whether to send their children to a private or a public school.

The best ways to determine whether you are making the right decision for your child is by visiting the school and asking for clarification from teachers for all your queries. What school your youngster attend to is a personal decision which is greatly determined by the family values, special needs of the kids, his mannerisms and interests.

This essay critically compares the differences and similarities, advantages and disadvantages and the issues that a rise in both private and public schools that affects the education of the children mainly preschool kids the its effects they on the kids future life.

Statistics show that some time back private school used to do better than public schools but recently this gap has been narrowing and making it harder for parents to choose between a private independent school with a high price tag on it, from a local public school which is relatively cheaper (Diana, 2006).

According to Maureen ( 2011, pp.10) public schools usually have larger class sizes due to the fact that they are required to admit every child who meets the qualifications set by the government. This offers an advantage to the pre-school children by improving their communication and socializing skills since they interact with more children from different races, cultures and social classes.

However, large classes are also disadvantageous in that it reduces the ratio of teachers to students and this tends to limit the teacher’s concentration on students hence limiting the children’s there performance. The average ratio of teachers to students in public schools is 1:17while in private schools its 1:9.

Private schools on the other hand are very selective in terms of their admissions. Some schools cannot admit students from certain religions, races or even economic status. This tends to reduce the population of private schools. Some of the long term effects to children attending privately owned pre-schools are poor socializing skills due to the low population size and similar social classes, religion and lack of diverse cultures (Robert, 2011, pp4).

Public schools are cheaper and they are funded by the government and some of them are usually underfunded. They are a part of the large school system which is part of the government and this makes them vulnerable to the political influence hence exposes them to political vulnerabilities which if experienced affects their performance.

The economic status of the country and the government also greatly affects the operations of public schools. Their curriculum is determined by the government and as you know different regions face different challenges hence the need for different curriculum to meet the different needs. (GreatSchools, 2010, pp.5)

Private schools on the other hand charge a higher tuition fee which is the major source of its funds. This makes them independent and protects them from the political realm hence they are free to determine their own curricula which is usually single minded, producing best results by providing the best quality of education possible (Eddie , 2011, pp.4)

In cases of children with special needs public schools usually have special programs and specially trained teachers who are well trained to work with such children. In contrast most private schools lack these programs and they are sometimes forced to deny such kids admission to their institutions and sometimes these services may be offered at an extra cost.

Is the question about which schools are better, private or public schools, answered yet? I bet not since there are no clear conclusions since they both have advantages and disadvantages as we have seen. In a nut shell the best school for ones child depends on the values, mannerisms, family, back ground, needs and interests of both the parents and the children. In other words one man’s meat is another man’s poison.

Diana, J. S. (2006). Public Schools Perform Near Private Ones in Study . Web.

Eddie, R. (2011). Pre School Education: Private Schools Vs PublicSchools . Web.

Great Schools Staff. (2010). Private versus public . Web.

Maureen, B. (2011). Public vs. private : Which is right for your child? Web.

Robert, N. (2011). Private vs Public Schools: Class Size. Web.

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Public and Private Schools: Comparing

Private schools, public schools.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. – Albert Einstein.

Are private schools more effective than public schools to educate children? The first couple of United States sent their children to the élites private school in Washington and so did the grandchildren of the present vice president of the United States. Study shows that all congressional representatives staying in Washington send their children to public schools and 25 percent of the public school teachers send their children to private schools 1 . Research has shown that the students of privately run schools perform better in standardized tests than students from public schools. Nevertheless, the question that arises is that how true is these findings? If at all there are differences between private and public schools, where are the differences? Are there no similarities between the two? If we take what Einstein said is true, should such a distinction be made?

Proponents of private schools argue that they provide higher quality of education as compared to public schools whereas on the other side of the debate, the argument is that public schools are better suited to meet the educational demand of the nations 2 . Clearly, there are inherent differences between the two types of schooling. However, the aim of the essay is not to take a side in the debate around public and private schools but to compare and contrast both system of schooling. In the following paragraphs, this essay will evaluate the differences and similarities between public and private schools.

Private schools are independently run schools, which cater to small number of students and are costlier. There are more than 28 thousand private schools in the US 3 and 25 thousand in the UK 4 . These schools run independent of local or central government. As they are not under any government regulations, they are not restricted under the state budget. They also get extra freedom in designing their education system and curriculum.

The annual cost of private schools in the United States in 2005-06 was $14000 for grades 1 to 3 and $15000 for grades 6 to 8, and $16000 for 9 to 12. The fees for the boarding schools are higher ranging from $29000 to $32000. In the UK, the average cost of private school per annum is £2400 to £5000 and in a boarding school, the cost ranges from £3100 to £5600.

As these schools are costlier, they cater to a limited number of students. Further, they are also not under compulsion to enrol all the students seeking admission. Therefore, these schools are in a position to design their curriculum in order to meet individual child’s needs. In a 1915 letter to the editor of New York Times 5 , has mentioned that private schools are more “democratic” in nature and have greater “personal influence” over pupil at an age when they most need it. As these schools have individualistic attention on students, co-curricular activities like arts, music, sports, etc. are also a part of the educational values. Therefore, along with the general curriculum (like maths, English, science, etc.) children are also introduced to other activities.

The class sizes in private schools are small. As students have to go through a selection process, they form an almost homogeneous crowd with similar goals. Not all students are accepted in such schools, thus limiting the access of students with special needs to such schools. The following paragraphs look at the nature of public schools their functioning.

In contrast to private run schools, public schools are state or government run schools. In the UK, such schools are called state schools. They follow local, state or central government laws. As they are state run, these schools receive funding from the government. Therefore, the budget of these schools is fixed by the government. Admissions to such schools are easy, as the schools have to accept all children who seek admission. There are no tuition fees and education is free. Still a test is set a selection process.

The teaching staffs in these schools are state certified. The certification is a surety that the teachers have the necessary educational background and experience to teach in schools. The public schools offer a general program in terms of curriculum. Here the curriculum is set by a mandate by the state and the school board has no influence over it.

In the public schools, children from all background can be found, thus boasting of diversity. They usually reflect the community. Further, due to the existence of special education laws, students with special needs can be taught in such schools. The teachers are trained to handle such requirements. Usually the schools are larger in public schools.

There are a lot of difference between public and private schools. Private schools are costlier and take in few students. Arguably, individual attention can be more in such a school. While public schools can boast of diversity and students, get to interact with children from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Private schools can decide their own curriculum and the management decision are not bounded by state governance. Public schools must accept all students who wish to enrol in the school, while private schools have the liberty to accept students who meet their standards. Public schools must adhere to state regulations and decisions. Private schools, even though they have to follow some state rules, their governance is privately run independent of government intervention. There is a difference in the graduation rate from private and public schools. 90-95 percent student from private schools enter college while 62 to 67 percent of the students from public schools enter college. The difference is attributable to the socioeconomic background of the student’s and the selective admission procedure of private schools.

There are certain similarities between private and public schools. All schools have to adhere to certain state laws. For instance, both the schools must follow the general curriculum form like teaching maths, science, and english. Regulations and disciplining of students are practiced in both forms of schools. Though private schools have an option of taking or not taking standardized tests, they usually take them and public schools usually take them mandatorily. In both form of schools student’s safety is a priority issue for the school management.

Even though there are more differences than similarities between private and public schools, it should be overlooked that both type of schools primarily are educational bodies. Their main aim is to educate students.

Suzanne Fields, “Public or private schools”, Washington Times, 2008, p21

Kevin C. Duncan and Jonathan Sandy, “Explaining The Performance Gap Between Public And Private School Students”, Eastern Economic Journal, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2007

Great Schools, “Private vs. Public Schools: What’s the Difference?” , 2009. 

Private Schools Directory & Guide 2009.

Letter to the Editor by William F. Slocum, President Colorado College, “Public and Private Schools”, The New York Times, 1915

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Private School vs. Public School

A private school is autonomous and generates its own funding through various sources like student tuition, private grants and endowments. A public school is government funded and all students attend free of cost.

Because of funding from several sources, private schools may teach above and beyond the standard curriculum, may cater to a specific kind of students (gifted, special needs, specific religion / language ) or have an alternative curriculum like art , drama, technology etc. Public schools have to adhere to the curriculum charted out by the district, and cannot deny admission to any child within the residential school zone.

There are several preconceived notions regarding private and public schools. Private schools are often assumed to be very expensive, elitist and a better bet for admission to good colleges. Public schools are often thought of as shoddy, less disciplined and low-grade curriculum. This comparison offers a fair insight into both schools for parents to make an informed decision.

Comparison chart

Admission criteria.

Anyone may apply to attend a private school, there is no zoning based on the students address. However, granting admission to a student is up to the school authorities and is based on tests and other criteria.

Admission to public school is determined by the address of the students. Every community has a zoned school and students attend their respective zoned school. Certain school districts may have variations to this rule. Public schools are required to accommodate all children within the zoning area.

Private schools have to raise their own funds and they get most of their funding through student tuition, fundraising events, gifts and endowments from donors.

Funding for public schools is a three tiered process. The federal government allocates certain amount of funds to each state for education. The state government contributes through income taxes, lotteries and property taxes. The local government may also contribute through taxation funds. Some public schools these days have resorted to a some amount of fundraising on account of budget cuts.

Private schools do not have to adhere to their respective state’s standards or the Common Core state standards and have the freedom to choose their own curriculum.

Public schools are moving towards adoption of the Common Core State Standards . As of today, 45states, the District of Columbia and 4 territories have adopted the Common Core State Standards.

The Common Core State Standards in a nutshell:

Private schools usually have smaller class sizes and could have as many as 10 to 15 students in an elementary classroom. A lower student ratio can mean a more personalized interaction for students and teachers.

Public schools have a larger student to teacher ratio and have larger class sizes. This is often due to budget cuts or inadequate funding. There can be as many as 30 students in an elementary classroom.

Private schools are subjective in their requirement for teachers to be certified, some do not require certification, and others may require certification but could be open to a certification from a different state.

Public schools required teachers to be certified in the state they teach. Certification requirements vary and are determined by each state.

Teacher Pay

Private school teachers get paid less than public school teachers and may or may not have health insurance . (In the UK private school teachers receive higher wages than their state school counterparts.)

Teachers in public schools get paid more than their private school counterparts. Public schools also offer health insurance and retirement benefits which may vary depending on the state.

Private schools are free to choose their own form of assessments and tests. They are not required to publish results of their tests.

Public schools are required to administer standardized tests to their students which are chosen by the state. The test scores are required to be published by the school.

Transportation

Private schools may or may not provide transportation to students; the provision differs from school to school.

It is mandatory for public schools to provide bus transportation to all students living in the school's designated residential area.

Additional Resources

Funds from various resources enable private schools to offer more to students in terms of science, technology , humanities, and the visual and performing arts.

Due to dependency on government funding, public schools may not have enough resources to offer technology tools, music , art and other activities to their students.

Test Scores

Comparison between public and private school test scores is a difficult if not virtually impossible task, because the type of tests may differ, and private schools have a choice to not publish their scores.

Are Private Schools Really Better?

It is very difficult to give a conclusive answer with an absolute "Yes" or "No." It depends on what parents want for their child, what and whether they're willing to pay to get it, and what the child is capable of. While curriculum is often considered to be more rigorous in private schools, private schools are not a guaranteed access to a better college or university. The following videos throw light on different perspectives of private vs public schools.

KCRA News discusses the results of studies conducted on the much debated topic:

An insight on whether private schools stand to have an advantage for admission to Standoford:

A word from the dean at USC on the topic:

How To Choose

Choosing between a private and public school goes beyond just affordability. Choosing the right school for your child is a process where there's no such thing as too much information. A good place to start would be to eliminate all preconceived notions about private and public schools and knowing that's it's more about the best fit for a child as opposed to "the best school in town." Of course, there's no substitute to visiting every short-listed school.

This video presents some facts about private schools, and might help bust some myths regarding affordability and elitism:

While test scores seem to be a natural go-to criterion to compare schools, they can often be misleading. Test scores cannot be the absolute criterion to assess a school, whether public or private; there is more to a school than just test scores, and it's possible that a school with a lower score may actually be more nurturing or a better fit for a child:

• School Funding - teach-nology.com
• Private Education - capenet.org
• Is a Private School Worth It? - theweek.com
• Core Standards - Official Site
• Lake Washington School District
• Public and Private School Teaching - teaching.monster.com

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Public School vs. Private School: Argumentative Comparison

Table of contents, public schools: accessibility and diversity, public schools: limited resources and class sizes, private schools: specialized curriculum and resources, private schools: affordability and socioeconomic disparities.

• Baker, B. D., & Welner, K. G. (Eds.). (2017). School Choice: Policies and Outcomes. University of California Press.
• Henig, J. R., Hula, R. C., & Orr, M. T. (Eds.). (2019). Educational Inequality and School Finance: Why Money Matters for America's Students. Harvard Education Press.
• Kahlenberg, R. D. (Ed.). (2013). The Future of School Integration: Socioeconomic Diversity as an Education Reform Strategy. Century Foundation Press.
• Ravitch, D. (2013). Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools. Knopf.
• Van Dunk, D. D., & Taylor, S. S. (Eds.). (2020). Global Perspectives on School Choice and Privatization. Information Age Publishing.

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Private School vs. Public School

Parents have much to consider, from test scores and class sizes to diversity and costs.

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Parents may want to look at the certification, training and professional development obligations of teachers in both public and private schools.

Deciding whether to send a child to public or private school can be a tough choice for parents of elementary, middle and high school students. Data on whether public or private education is better can be challenging to find and difficult to understand, and the cost of private school can be daunting.

So how can parents weigh private schools versus public schools?

Myra McGovern, spokesperson for the National Association of Independent Schools, says it comes down to what is best for each child.

“The individual needs of the child should shape the choice for parents,” she says.

Robert Pianta, professor of early childhood education and founding director of the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning at the University of Virginia , notes that there are various types of private schools. Some are managed by and affiliated with religious sects, while others operate independently under certain philosophical guidelines. He says parents should be “clear about the specific benefits that they are seeking for their child.”

“What is it about their child that makes them think a private education will be better, and then, more importantly, what is it about a specific private school that matches that child’s needs?” he wrote in an email. “And then, would this experience (or others) be also available in public school?”

Public and Private Schools By the Numbers

With more than 13,000 public school districts (made up of about 100,000 schools) and more than 30,000 individual private schools in the U.S., parents have plenty of choices. However, certain locales may have limited or no private school options. Some may have private schools for certain grades and not others.

Consider these

According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, public schools still attract far more students than private schools, with 50.8 million students attending public school as of 2019. Private school enrollment in the fall of 2019 was 4.7 million students, down from 5.7 million in 2017.

But what are the distinctions that might make a difference to parents as they decide between the two? Experts and education researchers say parents should look at a variety of factors when choosing a school for their child, including:

• Educational outcomes, such as rates of graduation and college enrollment.
• Class size.
• Teacher training.
• Affordability.
• Availability of programs for learning disabilities.

Comparing Student Success in Public and Private Schools

Research has consistently shown that private school students tend to perform better on standardized tests. The National Assessment of Educational Progress, which is often referred to as “the nation’s report card,” assesses both public and private school students in subjects such as math, reading, science and writing. The most recent NAEP data shows what other research has found: Private school students score better in almost all subjects.

For example, eighth grade private school students averaged about 20 points higher than public school or charter students on the NAEP reading test in 2022. Fourth grade private school students had nearly the same advantage in average scores.

On college entry tests such as the SAT , NAIS found that students in private schools consistently outperformed their public school peers in all subject areas.

While private schools appear on paper to promise better educational outcomes for their students, some scholars have attempted to dig deeper than just test scores to find out if private schools actually increase student success.

Pianta, who led a study published in 2018 that examined academic, social, psychological and attainment outcomes, says he found student success is more directly related to family attributes, such as having college-educated parents and higher incomes, than which school they attend.

“When you compare children who went to private school (for an average of six years) with those who only went to public school, any apparent benefits of private schooling – higher test scores, for example – are entirely attributable to parents’ education and income,” he says. “The fact that they went to private school does not account for any differences we might see.”

Christopher Lubienski, a professor at Indiana University and co-author of the book, “The Public School Advantage: Why Public Schools Outperform Private Schools,” agrees, saying, “Whether it’s a public or private school is not necessarily the defining factor. Private schools tend to score better on tests. … But we found that family background differences more than explain the difference between public and private school test scores.”

So how do students from low-income families who attend a private school perform?

Megan Austin, a principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research, looked at the success of students who participated in Indiana’s publicly funded private school voucher program, which is aimed at students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and skews heavily toward the parochial schools that participate in the voucher program.

She says that students using vouchers to attend private schools were somewhat less successful than those who were attending without a voucher, but that “both types of students … were less likely than traditional public school students to ever fail a course, or to ever be suspended in high school, and they were more likely to enroll in college within one year of high school graduation.”

Courses and Class Size

When researching school options, parents also may want to consider what kinds of courses public and private schools offer, particularly in high school, where high-achieving students may want access to a varied selection, including honors and Advanced Placement classes, Austin says.

She adds that parents should ask schools about how many students graduate on time, how many of their students enroll in college, and the school’s average SAT and ACT scores, among other things.

“Those are all indicators that have been shown to correlate with later success, so asking for that information is a good starting point,” she says.

Class size may be another indicator for parents. While some may feel that smaller class sizes are better for students, Pianta says research on the impact of smaller class sizes on student success has been mixed.

“It’s only when classrooms are in the 12-18 (student) range of size compared with classrooms of 25-35 (students) that we really see a difference,” he says. “In fact, although those smaller classes are observed to be richer in interactions and conversations, there is also some evidence to suggest that some larger classrooms (25-30) actually are better managed, and children learn somewhat more in terms of facts.”

Pianta also stresses that, when it comes to class size, “there’s not a clear rule of thumb.”

Still, the selling point of private schools for many parents is smaller class sizes and more individualized instruction. The student-to-teacher ratio at private schools in 2021 was 12.5 students per teacher, lower than the average 15.4 at public schools.

McGovern of NAIS says smaller class sizes in private schools create a “more tight-knit environment,” which allows the “teacher to really get to know each individual student and their strengths and weaknesses.”

Pianta agrees that smaller class sizes may benefit certain types of children. “If parents have a real reason to be concerned about their child in a large classroom (perhaps that student is very shy or, on the other hand, more likely to be disruptive), then smaller classrooms are better,” he says.

But he adds that many public school classrooms have fewer than 20 students per class, which would allow the same kind of individualized attention students receive in private schools.

Teacher Training and Certification

Regardless of class size, parents may want to look at the certification, training and professional development obligations of teachers in both public and private schools.

McGovern says that while many private school teachers are not certified as public school teachers are required to be, private schools often hire subject matter experts with advanced degrees who can give students more authoritative instruction than a teacher with a background in just education.

“Independent schools generally have extensive professional development for individual teachers and groups of teachers to make sure their skills in the classroom are really top-notch,” she says.

McGovern also says independent schools “are not driven by performance on standardized tests,” as many public schools are, giving teachers more flexibility to create engaging curricula. Private schools are generally not required to meet state testing requirements. However, because some private schools don’t teach with standardized testing in mind, it can make it more difficult for those schools to document the benefits of their approach, she notes.

Lubienski says teacher certifications are important. Public school teachers face rigorous requirements to attend training and to adopt the latest changes in curricula for important subjects like math. Without certifications and regular professional development, curricula can become outdated.

The Cost of Public vs. Private Schools

Public schools are funded by taxpayer dollars, but private schools represent an additional expense for parents. To send their children to private schools, parents generally either need to have the resources on hand to pay tuition or they need some type of financial aid, whether that is scholarship money, loans or publicly funded vouchers in states and localities that offer them.

Tuition costs vary based on the type of private school. For example, median tuition at independent day schools for grades K-12 was $27,408 as of September 2022, according to NAIS. Private boarding schools were more expensive for K-12 students, charging $63,650 on average.

Schools operated by organizations like the Roman Catholic Church or other religious groups tend to cost less than secular independent schools. For example, average annual tuition for private Catholic elementary schools as of 2023 was $4,840, compared to $11,207 for all private elementary schools, according to the Education Data Initiative . Average tuition for secondary Catholic schools was $11,240, while independent private secondary schools charged $16,645.

Diversity in Public and Private Schools

Racial diversity at private schools typically looks different than at public schools. According to NCES data, 66% of students attending private schools were white in the 2019-2020 school year. Hispanic students made up 12% of the population, while 9% were Black, 7% were Asian and the remainder were students from biracial, Pacific Islander or Native American backgrounds.

In contrast, 45% of students attending public schools were white, according to NCES data from the fall of 2021. Hispanic students made up 28% of the population, while 15% were Black, 5% were Asian and the remaining 7% were students from biracial, Pacific Islander or Native American backgrounds.

Pianta says parents looking to send their children to schools with a diverse student body are more likely to find that in public schools. “The diversity of public school is a strength,” he says.

Best Schools for Learning Disabilities

For children with learning disabilities, education experts say that private schools may not always be a good fit.

Public schools are required by law to provide access to “a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensure special education and related services to those children,” according to the U.S. Department of Education’s webpage on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act , or IDEA. The department says 7.5 million children were receiving services in public schools under IDEA as of the 2020-2021 school year.

Pianta says his research shows children with learning disabilities are better off in public schools, given the resources that states and localities are required to commit under the IDEA.

“Public schools are more tightly regulated than private schools, and this is very evident in the services they must provide to students with special needs,” Pianta says.

McGovern of NAIS acknowledges that not all private schools have support systems for children with learning disabilities, but emphasizes that “some schools do a phenomenal job with students of different learning abilities.” She adds that some private schools are specifically geared toward students with learning disabilities and provide programs tailored to address those needs.

For example, The Fletcher Academy in North Carolina notes on its website that it serves students “with ADHD, processing & memory issues, and a variety of learning disabilities, including dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.” Similarly, the Forman School in Connecticut is a college prep school for children with ADHD and dyslexia.

“It’s important for families to ask what the school’s strengths are and their capabilities to really serve the child based on his or her unique needs,” McGovern says.

Researching Public vs. Private Schools

Because each child is different and school options vary by locality, many experts say parents need to do their research locally before deciding what’s best.

“People often assume that private options are better in areas like transportation, housing and health care,” Lubienski says. “With education, that’s not necessarily true.”

He says parents may want to choose private schools over public schools for reasons that go beyond academic outcomes, such as religious education or extracurricular activities such as sports, music or theater.

Austin at the American Institutes for Research says parents should evaluate a variety of options in their communities, including public charter and magnet schools.

“Many parents name academic quality as their top priority, but fewer parents end up having a strong understanding of the academic quality of the school their student goes to,” Austin says. “Instead, they tend to rely on reputation, word-of-mouth or less concrete information that may or may not actually reflect school quality.”

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Comparison of Private and Public Schools

The Key Points to Help Families Decide Which Is Right for Them

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You may be considering whether private or public schools are better options for an obtaining an education. Many families want to know more about the differences and similarities between them. Learning about what private and public schools offer can help students and parents make an educated choice.

What's Taught

Public schools must adhere to state standards regarding what to teach and how to present it. Certain subjects, such as religion, are taboo. Rulings in many court cases over the years have determined the scope and limits of the curriculum at public schools.

By contrast, private schools can teach whatever they and their ruling bodies decide and present it in any way they choose. That's because parents choose to send their children to a specific school, which has a program and educational philosophy with which they are comfortable. That doesn't mean that private schools don't provide a quality education; they still undergo rigorous accreditation processes regularly to ensure that they are providing the best educational experience possible.

Both public and private high schools do have one key similarity: they require a certain number of credits in core subjects such as English, mathematics, and science in order to graduate.

Admission Standards

Public schools must accept all students within their jurisdiction with few exceptions. Behavior is one of those exceptions. Public schools must document really bad behavior over time. Should a student's behavior exceed a certain threshold, a public school may be able to place that student in a special school or program outside of the student's district of residence.

A private school, by contrast, accepts any student it wishes—and rejects those it does not—according to its academic and other standards. It is not required to give a reason as to why it has refused to admit anyone. Its decision is final.

Both private and public schools use some kind of testing and review transcripts to determine the grade level for new students.

Accountability

Public schools must comply with a host of federal, state, and local laws and regulations . In addition, public schools must also comply with all the state and local building, fire, and safety codes just as private schools must do.

Private schools, on the other hand, must observe federal, state and local laws such as annual reports to the IRS, maintenance of state-required attendance, curriculum and safety records and reports, and compliance with local building, fire and sanitation codes.

Accreditation

Accreditation is generally required for public schools in most states. While accreditation for private schools is optional , most college-prep schools seek and maintain accreditation from major school accrediting organizations. The process of peer review is a good thing for both private and public schools.

Graduation Rates

The rate of public school students graduating high school has risen to 85 percent in 2016-2017 , the highest rate since the National Center for Education Statistics began tracking these figures in 2010-2011. The dropout rate at public schools does tend to have a negative effect on matriculation data, and many students who enter into trade careers generally enroll at public schools rather than private, which decreases the rate of students who go on to college.

In private schools, the matriculation rate to college is typically in the 95 percent range. Minority students who attend a private high school are more likely to attend college than minority students who attend public school. The reason why most private high schools do well in this area is that they are generally selective. They will only accept students who can do the work, and they tend to accept students whose goals are to continue in college. 

Private schools also offer personalized college counseling programs to help students find the best-fit colleges for them. 

Funding differs greatly between private and public schools. Public schools are not allowed to charge any tuition fees in most jurisdictions at the elementary level. Students may, however, encounter modest fees in high schools. Public schools are funded largely by local property taxes, though many districts also receive funding from state and federal sources.

Private schools charge for every aspect of their programs. Fees are determined by market forces. Private school tuition is just under $11,000 a year as of 2019-2020, according to the Private School Review. The average boarding school tuition, however, is $38,850, according to College Bound. Private schools take no public funding. As a result, they must operate with balanced budgets.

Discipline is handled differently in private schools versus public schools. Discipline in public schools is somewhat complicated because students are governed by due process and constitutional rights. This has the practical effect of making it difficult to discipline students for minor and major infractions of the school's code of conduct .

Private school students are governed by the contract , which they and their parents sign with the school. It clearly spells out consequences for what the school considers unacceptable behavior.

Violence in public schools is a top priority for administrators and teachers. The highly publicized shootings and other acts of violence that have taken place in public schools have resulted in the application of stringent rules and security measures such as metal detectors to help create and maintain a safe learning environment.

Private schools are generally safe places . Access to campuses and buildings is carefully monitored and controlled. Because these schools usually have fewer students than public schools, it is easier to supervise the school population.

Still, both private and public school administrators have the child's safety on top of their list of priorities.

Teacher Certification

There are some key differences between private and public schools regarding teacher certification. For example, public school teachers must be certified by the state in which they are teaching. Certification is granted once statutory requirements such as education courses and teaching practice are met. The certificate is valid for a set number of years and must be renewed.

In most states, private school teachers can teach without a teaching certificate . Most private schools prefer teachers to become certified as a condition of employment. Private schools tend to hire teachers with a bachelor's or master's degree in their subject. 

Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

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Public vs. Private School

There are many differences and some similarities in public and private schools. I have attended both a public and private school, and I preferred going to a public school rather than a private. There are many reasons why I enjoyed going to a public school rather than a private, and that is because they have so many differences. There are a few similarities though. Some of those differences and similarities would be how the school is funded, rules, class size, and transportation.

            The biggest difference between a public and private school is how they are funded. Public schools are most of the time funded by the state and the government. Private schools are funded by paying a tuition. The nicer the private school is the higher the tuition that you have to pay. Most of the time private schools are independent and aren’t interfered by the public. Private schools depend on their own funding, which comes from tuition, grants, and donations. Since public schools are funded by the government, it is free to go to and anybody can attend if you are in the school’s district. If you attend a private school, you can live wherever you want. 

            There are different rules you have to follow at private school. For example, most of the time you have to wear the school’s uniforms, keep your shirt tucked in, wear white socks, and a belt. On the other hand, at public schools you can just about wear anything you want to. It just can’t have profanity on it and girls can’t wear revealing clothing. My personal experience, I always felt that teachers at private schools are way more strict than public schools. For instance, my friend was on his phone and the teacher saw him and automatically took it from him with no warning or anything. They also told us not get on our phones at lunch, which I thought was absurd. While at a public school, it is way more laid back. I felt like at the private school, I attended, the administration was always trying to find a reason to start something. Other than the dress code rules, all the other rules are basically the same. For example, no bullying, plagiarism, using profanity, etc.

            Another difference is class size. Most public schools have way more people attending them than private schools. There are usually around 30 students to a classroom at a public school. While at a private school, there are around 15 students and sometimes less than that. The hallways at a public school are always packed when changing classrooms or when we were on break. One reason I liked public school more was because there were always new people to be friends with and not have to be stuck seeing the same people in every class. I also think that since there are so many more people in a public school, it helps you prepare for college because you are already used to seeing people you don’t know. While at a private school, you see the same 30 people that are in your grade everyday. People say that because the classrooms are smaller at a private school you get more help from the teacher. My grades were better at a public school though. You could also make the argument that private school is harder than public, but I just think it depends on the teacher. Since private schools have a smaller number of students most of the administration knows you by name, this could be a good or bad thing depending on the situation.

            A big difference between public and private schools is transportation. Public schools are required to have bus transportation to take students to and from school. Whereas at a private school someone has to drop you off and pick you up from school if you are not old enough to drive. An obvious similarity is that, if you are old enough, you can drive yourself to and from school and have you own parking spot. Since public schools have rules on how far you can live from the school, private school students have to travel farther than public school students.

            There are many differences between public and private schools. At the end of the day there are obviously going to be similarities because it is school, and you are there to learn. I personally didn’t enjoy going to a private school for many reasons. One of them being because of how small my class was. The only thing I really enjoyed, at the private school I attended, was the food was much better than public school food. I enjoyed going to a public school much more because there was more of a variety of people and it was more laid back.

Izzah Ahmed

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Best Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Comparison and contrast between public and private schools.

856 words | 3 page(s)

The schools in the world today can be categorized into two distinct types, private and public schools. The essay explains the major similarities and differences between the public and private schools across the globe. Both the public and private schools follow a certain curriculum that set by the relevant education authorities, the instructors of both the public and private schools must a certain academic qualification and the ultimate aim of both the public and private schools is to enhance academic proficiency among the learners. The most common differences include the source of funding, cost of attendance and the population of students. The similarities and differences show the existence a big gap between the two types of schools. Therefore, the choice of school by the parents depend on various logistical considerations.

The private and public schools have different attributes in common. Both the public and private schools follow a certain curriculum that set by the relevant education authorities, the instructors of both the public and private schools must a certain academic qualification and the ultimate aim of both the public and private schools is to enhance academic proficiency among the learners. In order to ensure there is consistency in the education systems, both the private and public schools follow a standard curriculum that is set by the relevant administrative bodies and agencies, there are quality assurance officers who supervise both schools to ensure that they comply with the required standards. In order to acquire competence, the instructors for both the private an public schools must acquire the qualifications required for their level of teaching, this is essential because it assisting in upholding the educational standards in both the public and private schools. Both public and private schools educate the students to acquire the skill that are necessary to make them knowledgeable professionals in future. Therefore, the similarities between the public and private schools imply that both types of schools must be determined to ensure that the learners have the required education so as to progress to the next levels of academic achievement.

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The structural and cultural orientations of the systems in private and public schools exhibit differences. The most common differences include the source of funding, cost of attendance and the population of students. The public schools are funded by the government depending on the number of students and the location where the school is situated, on the other hand, the funding of the private schools relies on the parents the learners and the amount of money is determined by the administrators of the schools. Most of the public schools are very cheap for the parents because most of the expenses and instructors are facilitated by the government as compared to the private schools where the parents have to pay for the infrastructural improvements in the school. Unlike in private schools where there are limitations in their admission of students, the public schools do not have the bound for the admission process and this makes the public schools to have very high populations that lead to congestion. Consequently, the nature and setup of the public and private schools plays a very big role in promoting the educational stratification that creates the differences.

The manifestation of the similarities and differences is an indication of the social disparities that exist in the society. Most of the similarities that are evident in both the public and private schools are administrative while others are as a result of the moral and ethical protocols that guide the education systems in order to achieve the eventual goals of educations. The differences that are evident between the public and private schools have been shaped by the reality of the social differences regarding the various socio-economic groups that exist in the society. Thus, the existence of the public and private schools are created by the limitations that are created by economic capabilities among the parents and it is playing a big role in enhancing the differences in the quality of education that exists in the schools. So, the social status of the family is likely to determine the quality of education the children acquire and the type of treatment they can be exposed to in these schools.

In conclusion, the type of school a parent takes a child depends on the limiting factors in the schools. Assessing the similarities and differences of both public and private schools, the quality of education in the private schools is very high because the type of funding the schools acquire enable them to adopt very high-quality resources. The continuation of the current trends indicates in the schools indicates the evolution of the educations system will continue propagating divergence that will cause the escalation of the quality differences among the schools in the future. The ultimate effect of the divergence is that the quality of the education in the private schools will continue increasing while decreasing in the public schools and the public schools will remain for the rich in the society. Since education is power and authority, the rich are likely to have a more supremacy over the poor which will increase the gap between the two social classes.

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Public School Vs Private School Essay | Advantages & Disadvantages

The discussion surrounding the choice between public and private schools is one that resonates with many families across Nigeria. Both types of institutions offer unique advantages and pose certain challenges. Ultimately, the choice often depends on personal values, specific needs, and the student’s individual circumstances.

Table of Contents

Essay About Public vs Private Schools: A Comprehensive Comparison

Advantages of public schools.

1. Accessibility

One of the primary advantages of public schools is their broad accessibility. Funded by state and federal governments, they provide education to all students, irrespective of their socio-economic status. This democratic perspective guarantees that education is not a luxury limited to a handful, but a basic entitlement available to everyone.

2. Diversity

Public schools usually attract a diverse student population, providing students with exposure to a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. This diversity often fosters a richer learning experience, broadening a student’s worldview and encouraging empathy and inclusivity.

3. Extracurricular Activities

Public schools frequently take pride in offering an extensive selection of extracurricular pursuits, encompassing everything from athletic teams and societies to arts initiatives. These activities offer students an avenue for personal growth and development beyond the academic sphere, promoting physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

4. Special Education Services

A crucial advantage of public schools is their obligation to provide special education services to students with disabilities. This ensures inclusive education, promoting equal opportunities for all learners, regardless of their abilities.

Advantages of Private Schools

1. Smaller Class Sizes

Private schools typically have smaller class sizes, offering students more individualized attention and personalized instruction. This can be particularly beneficial for students who need additional support or those who thrive in a more focused learning environment.

2. Resources and Support

Private schools generally have more resources and support systems in place for students, families, and teachers. This includes state-of-the-art facilities, well-stocked libraries, dedicated pastoral care, and robust parent-teacher associations.

3. Academic Reputation

Many private schools have built a reputation for their high academic standards and rigorous curriculum. Often aligned with international standards, these schools may offer a more challenging educational experience, preparing students for higher education and competitive career paths.

4. Specialized Programs

Private schools also offer a variety of specialized programs, such as arts-focused education, military training, or single-sex schooling. These specialized programs offer tailored educational experiences catering to a student’s specific interests or needs.

Disadvantages of Public Schools

1. Overcrowding

One of the major disadvantages of public schools is overcrowding, which often results from a lack of funding or resources. This often results in an increase in class size and a decrease in personalized instruction for students.

2. Limited Resources

Public schools, particularly in underserved areas, may lack the necessary resources to provide a high-quality education. This includes outdated textbooks, inadequate technological infrastructure, and underfunded extracurricular programs.

3. Standardized Testing Focus

There’s a significant emphasis on standardized testing within public schools, which can sometimes overshadow the broader educational experience. This focus may limit a student’s ability to explore subjects in depth and hinder the development of critical thinking skills.

Disadvantages of Private Schools

1. High Cost

The most obvious disadvantage of private schools is the high cost of tuition, which can exclude students from low or middle-income families. The financial burden can be further exacerbated by additional costs for uniforms, textbooks, extracurricular activities, and school trips.

2. Less Diversity

Private schools often lack the socio-economic, cultural, and racial diversity found in public schools. This can limit students’ exposure to different perspectives and experiences, potentially impacting their personal development and worldview.

3. Selective Admission Policies

Private schools often have selective admission policies, which can lead to a competitive and pressurized environment. This may not be conducive to all learning styles and can cause stress among students.

The debate between public and private schooling is intricate, with both types of schools providing distinct advantages. Indeed, the quality of education can vary significantly within both realms, influenced by factors like the specific school, the quality of teachers, and available resources. Ultimately, the choice between a public and private school should hinge on the student’s individual needs and the family’s values and circumstances. Each type of school offers unique learning environments and opportunities, and the decision should be made with careful consideration. Education, after all, is about nurturing a child’s potential and guiding them toward personal and academic success.

Public Schools Are Better Than Private Schools Argumentative Essay

Public schools, often criticized and contrasted to their private counterparts, possess several distinct advantages that are commonly overlooked. These advantages contribute significantly to the holistic development of a student, making the argument that public schools are better than private schools a credible one.

Firstly, the diversity in public schools is unparalleled, ensuring students are exposed to a multitude of cultures, social classes, and perspectives. In such a setting, students develop a robust understanding of the world, fostering empathy and tolerance. This rich cultural exchange is often missing in private schools, which tend to attract a more homogeneous student population.

Furthermore, public schools are governed by a standard curriculum decided by education boards, ensuring transparency and uniformity in the quality of education. This ensures that every student, irrespective of their geographical location or socio-economic status, receives an equivalent education. On the other hand, private schools are not subject to the same level of scrutiny and may deviate from the prescribed curriculum, leading to inconsistencies in the quality of education.

Public schools also provide a real-world learning environment where students learn to navigate challenges without the protective bubble often found in private institutions. This helps students develop resilience and adaptability, essential skills for their future endeavors.

Additionally, public schools offer more teacher stability compared to private schools. Teachers in public schools are often unionized and enjoy secure employment, leading to a lower turnover rate. This stability ensures continuity in a student’s learning process, while also fostering a strong student-teacher bond.

Lastly, the wide range of extracurricular activities in public schools provides students with numerous opportunities to discover and nurture their talents outside the classroom. While private schools also offer extracurricular activities, they often come with additional costs, which may deter some families.

In conclusion, while both public and private schools have their merits, the argument that public schools are better than private schools is valid. Public schools offer diverse learning environments, a standard curriculum, a realistic representation of the world, teacher stability, and a plethora of extracurricular activities. These attributes contribute to a well-rounded education, equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in the real world.

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The effectiveness of public and private schools from a comparative perspective

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Cooper Henson

Spring '24 rcl blog, public vs. private final showdown.

After covering all about both public and private education, for my final civic issues post I would like to give my overall thoughts on the entire issue. Firstly, I’ll start by saying that access to education is very important and the fact that we have a public education system is something to appreciate, as in many other nations currently and in other points in history school was only for those who were well off. That being said, though, we can’t act like Americans, on average, are all receiving spectacular educations from their public education. Among other developed countries, the United States ranks 16th in public education, communicating that we are far from the best that is offered in the world. Many schools continue to receive low funding, crippling the ability of staff and administration to collect and allocate resources. This burden, which I’ve talked about before, is most often falling on teachers who already are criminally underpaid. Private schools on the other hand tend to have many of the options that their public counterparts do not. Children on average are often better equipped for their futures, at least academically because of the major difference in the time and resources private schools can place in their students. Many contend that private schools are a necessary competitor to public schools because competition creates innovation and yada yada. I think the framing of the competition should be shifted from public versus private to the United States versus the rest of the world. American exceptionalism teaches us from a young age to view the United States as a supremely and uniquely great nation that offers the best life available on the planet. While in other cases this mindset is unproductive, here it might provoke a spark for improving our education system. I’m not really talking about colleges and universities here, as American high education rivals any other nation in the world. I mean primary and secondary school, which for many is the entire extent of their education. I think that private schools are actually robbing resources from the public sector. They take the best teachers, the wealthiest parents, and many are feeder schools for elite universities, giving their students a massive leg up in furthering their education. I don’t think it’s practical to want an end to private education, people are always going to want private schools for things like religious reasons for example, but reducing the pull they have on the wealthy would free up more resources for the public sector and improve overall education in our nation.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/well-developed-public-education-system

https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/the-15-biggest-failures-of-the-american-public-education-system

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