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Deciding where your children will receive their primary and secondary education is a big decision. First, parents must decide whether their children will receive a public or private education. There is much to consider. Public and private schools each offer children a well-rounded education, but there are unique advantages to each. Here are just five things parents might want to consider when making the decision between a public school and a private option for their children. 1. Class Sizes In the classroom, the ability for teachers to give each student personalized attention is golden, particularly during early education. In a private academy, class sizes are typically substantially smaller than public institution class sizes. With small class sizes, teachers are better able to discover any potential academic problems and quickly give personalized attention to the child before he or she falls behind. Additionally, the teachers are better able to spot an academically gifted student, who will also need individualized attention to truly excel. 2. Diversity While private academies tend to have lower class sizes, attendance at a public school offers much more diversity. Exposure to people from different backgrounds is an important part of early education. Diversity in education not only teaches children to interact and function in a global society, but also enriches their educational experience. Children exposed to diversity more often approach problems from new and different perspectives, making them better critical thinkers. They learn to "think outside the box." 3. Academics Perhaps the most important concern for parents in choosing whether to send their children to a public or private academy is the academic environment available in each. Public school curricula are prescribed by state and local governments. Additionally, public schools must administer state-approved standardized tests. The results of these standardized tests are often available for public review, making the institution accountable to the public. Because private academies are not subject to mandatory state testing, teachers have more freedom to teach using progressive teaching methods and teacher-guided approaches. Moreover, because private academies are exempt from mandatory testing requirements, teachers are better able to teach critical thinking skills because they are not teaching the students "how to take a test." Additionally, private institutions are not in a position that they lose funding for inadequate standardized test scores. However, when considering private establishments, parents should thoroughly evaluate the school's curriculum to ensure it meets or exceeds minimum standards because private establishments are not subject to public oversight. 4. Discipline In private establishments, discipline problems are usually fewer than in the public school system. This is largely because private academies do not have to accept or offer continuing enrollment to all students. Those with discipline difficulties will often not be accepted. Students that develop discipline difficulties after admission will not be offered a renewal of enrollment if the problems remain unresolved. Moreover, private institutions typically have codes of conduct that outlines acceptable behavior for all students and specifies the consequences of not adhering to the codes. 5. Athletics The availability of sports and facilities in which to play them varies from place to place. Some private establishments offer the best sports facilities available, and their sports programs are well established. Often, private academies offer a more diverse range of sports, such as swimming, horseback riding, lacrosse, and tennis. In others, the focus is more on academics rather than athletics. While most public school systems generally have well-established athletic programs, when budget cuts are made, it is typically sports programs that suffer first. When considering a Fort Drum school, residents visit Immaculate Heart Central Schools. Learn more at http://www.ihcschools.org/academics/.
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