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Private vs. Public Schools: What's the Difference?
Your goal is to find a school that will meet your child's needs. But how do you choose between a public school and a private school?
By GreatSchools Staff
Cost Public schools cannot charge tuition. They are funded through federal, state and local taxes. When you pay your taxes, you are paying for your child's education and the education of other children in your community.
Private schools cost money. Private schools do not receive tax revenues, but instead are funded through tuition, fundraising, donations and private grants. According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the median tuition for their member private day schools in 2005-2006 in the United States was close to $14,000 for grades 1 to 3, $15,000 for grades 6 to 8 and $16,600 for grades 9 to 12. The median tuition for their member boarding schools was close to $29,000 for grades 1 to 3, $32,000 for grades 6 to 12. Note that of the 28,384 private schools in the United States, about 1,058 are affiliated with NAIS. The Digest of Education Statistics 2005 from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that for the 1999-2000 school year, the average private school tuition was about $4,700.
Parochial schools generally charge less. According to the National Catholic Educational Association, in their annual statistical report in 2005-2006, the average elementary school tuition for Catholic schools (in 2005) was $2,607; the average freshman tuition (for 2002-2003) was $5,870. Catholic Schools enroll more students (49%) than any other segment of private schools.
Admissions Public schools admit all children. By law, public schools must educate all children, including students with special needs. To enroll in a public school you simply register your child by filling out the necessary paperwork.
Private schools are selective. They are not obligated to accept every child, and in many private schools admission is very competitive.
Governance
Public or Private? The Debate Rages
Private school students typically score higher than public school students on standardized tests, but a study by the National Center for Education Statistics released in 2006 that took into account students' backgrounds told a different story.
Public school students in fourth and eighth grade scored almost as well or better in reading and math, except that private school students excelled in eighth-grade reading. (Downloading the PDF file of the study requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download for free if you click here.)
A Harvard University study challenged the results, using the same data but different methods. Researchers found that private schools came out ahead in 11 of 12 comparisons of students.
Earlier in 2006, an analysis of math scores by two University of Illinois researchers found similar results to the NCES study. The authors of Charter, Private, Public Schools and Academic Achievement found that "after accounting for the fact that private schools serve more advantaged populations, public schools perform remarkably well, often outscoring private and charter schools."
But as this dissenting view from the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation's Education Gadfly newsletter shows, the debate over which schools do a better job is far from settled.
Public schools must follow all federal, state and local laws in educating children. Such laws usually include specifics about funding, program development and curriculum.
Private schools are not subject to as many state and federal regulations as public schools. Since private schools are funded independently, they are not subject to the limitations of state education budgets and have more freedom in designing curriculum and instruction.
Curriculum Public schools offer a general program, designed for all children, which usually includes math, English, reading, writing, science, history and physical education. In addition to these key subjects, many public schools offer programs in music and art. In a public school, the substance of what children learn is mandated by the state and learning is measured through state standardized tests.
NOTE: The charter school movement is picking up momentum in many states; these schools are public, but many offer specialized programs and smaller classes.
Private schools have the flexibility to create a specialized program for students. For example, private schools may use art or science in all classes, or take children on extended outdoor trips that blend lessons across the curriculum. Private schools can create their own curriculum and assessment systems, although many also choose to use standardized tests.
Teachers Public schools: All teachers in a public school are usually state certified or, at a minimum, working toward certification. Certification ensures that a teacher has gone through the training required by the state, which includes student teaching and coursework.
Private schools: Teachers in private schools may not be required to have certification, and instead often have subject area expertise and an undergraduate or graduate degree in the subject they teach.
Students Public schools: The children at most public schools usually reflect the community. Students may be split up based on ability or interests, but in many public schools, there is a diversity of student backgrounds.
NOTE: In many states, if you are not satisfied with your assigned school, you may be able to send your child to another public school in the area. Start here to learn more information about these options.
Private schools: The student population at a private school is determined through a selection process; all students must apply and be accepted in order to attend. Although students may be from different neighborhoods, they will probably have similar goals and interests. This tends to create a fairly homogenous student body.
Special Needs Public schools: Due to special education laws, public schools must educate all children, and provide the necessary programs to meet their special needs. This means that most public schools have special education programs and teachers who are trained to work with students who have particular needs.
Private schools: Private schools do not have to accept children with special needs, and many choose not to (although there are a small number of private schools specifically designed for special needs children). As a result, most private schools do not have special education programs or teachers trained to work with students with severe special needs. Private schools will try to help all the students they admit, but extra resources may also come at an additional cost.
Class Size Public schools: Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students become older, class size tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban schools.
Private schools: Private schools are generally committed to providing small classes and individual attention to students. Many parents choose private schools for this reason.
The Bottom Line There are a few fundamental differences between public and private schools, but here's the bottom line: There are great private schools and there are great public schools. The trick is finding the school that best fits your child's needs. You may also want to consider public charter schools or homeschooling. It's a good idea to research the schools that interest you and, to get a true picture of the school, visit in person.
Updated November 2008
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Comments From GreatSchools.net Users
01/5/2009:
"Although it goes over what makes them different, it all depends on what area you live in. I live in the Bronx, Ny, known for murders and gang violence. I'm not saying most public schools are the same in all of the Bronx (on the contrary, there are many rigorous public schools here), the majority of schools have great potential but gangs and drugs get the best of the kids. The New York City public school system has a lot to work on. In the eighth grade my daughter's school would not allow her to go to a bathroom unchaperoned because her school shared a building with four high schools, which resulted in bathroom rapes and fights. However, today she attends a Catholic high school in the same area and she has never felt safer. Teachers, because they are not as scared, pay more attention to educating rather than disciplining, which is what kids go to school for! Bottom line is, it all depends where you live. Some areas' schools are nearly all the same, but in my case private scho! ols are a matter of safety and getting the value for your money. "
01/2/2009:
"The problem with the article is the seeping generalities and it does come off as in favor of public schools. I do not know if this was the intent, but based on the content it certainly seems that it was. I believe the article and the readers would have been better served if the private schools where broken up into subcategories. There is a major difference between a private academy, a parochial school and a charter school. A private academy will cost more than a parochial school. Parochial schools tend to accept anyone, sometimes they are restricted on their religion, but not academics. The article also suggests that private schools can teach anything they want, this may be true in very limited cases, but the vast majorities have to go through certification, not only by the state but also by additional governing bodies. As for teachers, I do not know of any K-12 schools in my area (Illinois) that do not have certified teachers and when my children went to school we checked o! ut multiple schools, both public and private. I do know that the public schools (at least the K-8) tend to jump on the latest educational bandwagon. A couple of years ago, it was blended classrooms 1st and 2nd together, 3rd and 4th together, etc. It sounded good in theory, but now they have discovered that it did not work as well as they had hoped and are now back to single grade classes. Meanwhile what happens to the kids? Thankfully my daughters had gotten through the school before they went to the blended classes or I would have seriously considered placing them elsewhere. Lastly, many of the comments pit private vs. public, it is a choice and based on where you are located and the schools in your area, you may choose public over private, some may choose private over public based on where they live. You do what is best for your children. There was one comment by a student that said instead of paying money for a private education, just move to a better school district. So! unds like a person that has never had a job or a family to car! e for. Lets say that better school district is an hour away, now that would be another hour I would have to drive to my job each way and another hour I would not be able to spend with my family. Parents sacrifice for their children, you will hopefully learn that some day. "
01/2/2009:
"At the guy who said 'Very biased, etc etc private schools are better'. This is not entirely true. Why? Because it's not about the school you send them to. It's the child who attends it. Private schools and public schools give EQUAL oppurtunities to become a great person. They don't tend to produce more well rounded kids - they tend to make people BELIEVE they are well rounded. I never realized how bad I was at basketball, for instance, until I went to a public school. I got swept away - I was one of the top of my private school team. They are not quicker paced. They are usually average paced, in my experience. Because 90% of private schools, even the greatest ones, like to take kids who come from families with money (or only attract that type) and are not always really that smart, they create the curriculum AROUND those people. I know this because I am not from a super wealthy family but attended a $30000 dollar a year school. I knew that a lot of the kids were not as good as my school advertised, and all our curriculum fit them while I was held back from my true potential. I do not think you really have experienced public schools enough if you think that private schools are in any way BETTER than public. Each provides it's own opportunities - if you cannot take advantage of it, it's your fault, not the schools. My high school sends a whopping 50 kids to Stanford University every year. That's not bad, around 10% of the graduating class. If you want to succeed, you could do it just as easily as you could in private school as you could in public."
01/2/2009:
"I think that public schools and private schools both have their good points and their bad points. It really all depends on what you think would benfit your child. "
12/23/2008:
"Very biased. This article is definitely preaching to the majority. Private schools will offer a better environment with children that are more dedicated to learning which results in more confident kids. Because of smaller class sizes, students participate more in class and are given more attention. Private schools also tend to produce more well rounded kids, requiring arts, academics and athletics during each school day. As for the teachers, they more often than not are better educated than public school teachers. Because they can be more selective, private school classes are usually quicker paced, not stopping for slow learners. I've been in both private and public schools and, as a junior in high school, am someone to trust when I say that private schools are surely the best option for a child who wants to learn."
12/23/2008:
"'you send your kid to a private school.. and i go to public.. well the differance from your kids and my school is you have a class for religion'. Um... I'm not sure if you're fully informed about private schools. Yeah, some private schools have a class on religion, but many don't, and when you say that paying for private schools is a waste of money, 'dumb', that may be considered offensive to some who know that money you pay in private schools (most often) goes back into the program. "
12/23/2008:
"I am thoroughly suprised by some of the comments on this page. I went to private school for 6 years of my life. I do not regret it, but I do not want to go back either. Private schools are great for their small communities, close bonds, and generally good education, but those are exactly the things I got sick of after so long. The kids in these schools tend to be either very snobby, dumb, or rarely, smart. There are excellent kids and there are 'I payed my way in' kids, and honestly, there's a lot more of those than you think. Also, people tend to get very drama-obsessed and relationships with friends become a pain and annoyance. Looking back, a good 4/5ths of my class was made of those types. Before you say anything - I went to Nueva. One of the, if not THE, best private schools in the US. It costs $30,000 a year, and no, it is not religious. I currently am attending a public high school and do not regret it. The atmosphere change is nice, I like a big school. The classes are great, because I take advanced classes so I am not with the kids who choose not to try hard. Public schools and privates all have their ups and downs. However, it is safe to say that either would be good depending on the context of the school."
12/23/2008:
"This is a very interesting debate going on here. However, my personal opinion is that it really depends on what you want out of a school. I attend a small, all-girls private Catholic high school, and I think it's great! I believe that because my school is smaller and religious, it gives more a feel of a family rather than a school. Most girls at my school are actually friends with the teachers here. And please don't argue that my parents are wasting their money on a religion class. Obviously, religion is an important part of my life, but the religious aspect is not all that we are paying for. Don't get me wrong, but doesn't this article say that private schools have more freedom to construct a curriculum? My teachers don't just teach from a book. In fact, many of my teachers don't. I believe that my teachers go above and beyond to prepare me for college. And our academics are excellent. We have honours classes, AP classes, accelerated classes, college credit classes, and oth! er programs involving the advancement of our students. I know of many seniors who were accepted into ivy league or other prestigious colleges. Our athletic department is outstanding as well. My school has won three state titles this year alone and 6 of the 100 girls in the senior class have signed on to college teams with a full ride next year. I see my school as a family. On the other hand, I can't very well vouch for public high school, as I have never attended one formally (I have gone to visit quite a few times with a family friend who teaches at a public high school, so I'm not completely sheltered). But I do know that the feel of a public school is very different. So many people in one class! It's near overwhelming! My friend said there are at least 500 students in the sophomore class alone. That blew me away!! There are about 600 students at my school in all! And my friend who is a teacher also told me that her school is more strict with interpretation of the materia! l. I'm going to wrap up my crusade for private school with a b! rief note on laptops as well: Where I come from, most private schools also include a laptop in the tuition, raising it about $2,000 more than it used to be. The laptops are a great way to learn and it's nice to be trusted with them. It's also convenient for communication with teachers and other students. Also, on a totally unconnected point, if you are looking to get into a private or ivy league school, I hear private schooling looks good on an application. So if you want more intimate, liberal schooling, I would go with private but if you want more standardized institutional-schooling, I would go with public. I hope this helps anyone with any decisions they are making about school!"
12/23/2008:
"Okay, it really bothers me when people assume/think they know about 'snobby' private school kids. Please, people! That is a stereotype from bad movies and shows like Gossip Girl or whatever. Yes, we may belong to country clubs, be in debutante balls, or live in larger houses, but in no way does that make us snobby! It may pave the way for a selfish person to become snobby, but all of the private school kids I know are down to earth and aren't snobby at all. Many kids who are on financial aid and live in the south city are friends with the suburbia girls who have indoor pools and such. 'Cause the truth is..we don't care if a person is rich or middle class or poor or whatever."
12/17/2008:
"Very interesting discussion, although it's unfortunate that some are being less than respectful of the choices made by others. I have two children, one currently in public school and the other in private. Both attended a public charter (Montessori) in elementary, and one has been to 2 different private schools. For the record, I would greatly prefer to have a great public option that would meet our needs, meaning I'd prefer not to pay for private school while already paying a large % of my taxes towards a school system I'd really like to utilize. I live in an area (Wake County, NC) where the schools assignments change every 1-3 years, and where the quality of schools fluctuates dramatically, where the school board chooses the school my kids will attend and how long they'll have to sit on a bus to get to their assigned school. We no longer have 'neighborhood schools' as a result of our current social experiment for balancing all schools for socio-economic diversity, nor do we know what schools our students will attend year to year. Our county has some of the highest private school attendance rates (~18%) as a result. Parents need a choice in how to best meet their own family's needs, and when that's diminished by the public system...private may be the only way to provide an education for your children. The other reason we've chosen private school is to get a smaller class size and the ability to accelerate academically. Not all students are the same, nor will all do well in a larger setting, nor do all public schools offer a similar level of academic excellence. I've sought private schools with extremely qualified teaching staff, and the ability to individualize the curriculum more than most. Given that you get the public school to which you're assigned, parents who find their choice to be lacking in some way will look for other options and determine whether or not they can afford to make that sacrifice or give up something else so that their children get what they need. I went to an excellent public school myself, and never expected to need to send my children to private school. I urge you to reserve harsh judgments of the choices made by others, as neither public nor private is better across the board...they are simply alternative ways of meeting educational needs. Everyone has the right to choose what works for their families. Unfortunately, until there's a voucher system, those without the ability to pay for tuition get fewer choices when they are assigned to a low-performing school or have kids who need something different. For those of you who happen to be assigned to excellent public schools, just know that you are very fortunate as you've succeeded in having an excellent education without having to spend thousands per year to meet that need. Respect the fact that not everyone in the country has been blessed as you have. "
12/17/2008:
" I think it was an extremely informative article. I am writing a report on the subject and found this very helpful."
12/15/2008:
"I think all of you are ridiculous, it depends on the area of where you live in to say if a public school is better than a private school. I go to a private high school, and the public school in my area is known to be an outstanding school, and has been the best rated public high school in the state. I can't say that I think that public high school is better then my private school, because I honestly have no postulation. I do believe and can say as a verity that a private school education will benefit a student in many ways. I also believe, depending on the school, a public high school can also benefit a student in countless ways. "
12/12/2008:
"THE PERSON WHO SAID...'Okay, I'm sorry to all parents who want to think their child's public school is adequate to a private school, but here's a thought: if public school were truly as good as private school, why would parents pay thousands of dollars each year to send their children to private schools, on top of paying taxes for the public schools their children don't go to? I pay over $10,000 a year for my child's education, excluding taxes. Like most parents, I looked thoroughly into my decision to enroll my child in private school before investing so much in her education. So to all parents on this forum who imply that paying for private school is like throwing money down the toilet, think twice. We pay for a reason.'.. WELL HERES MY OPINION TO THAT... you send your kid to a private school.. and i go to public.. well the differance from your kids and my school is you have a class for religion.. thats what you are paying for.. RELIGION.. my schools test scores are higher than most private schools.. so you are wasting your money.. maybe your area isnt that nice so you need to go to that private school but if you have that ind of money that you can throw away to a school you could move some place else.. and your kid would go to school for free.. if you really want your kid to have religion make them go to chruch things or have a little organized study with them or friends.. dont waste your money.... that is dumb "
12/12/2008:
"i am a freshman in high school at a very diverse public school.I am an honors student, so i am seperated from students who do not want to excel. I disagree on many levels with some of the commenters that have spoken prior to this comment. Private schools are no better than public schools. For those of you who go to private school...did you know that when an ivy league college has to choose between two students with almost the same resume and the same SAT scores, they will choose the student who went to public school? This is because teachers at private schools do not even need certification, and the state doesn't regulate what they learn. I go to public school, take all honors classes, and i am a high-honors student. I am perfectly happy at public school. "
12/10/2008:
"To the person who said this: 'As an Elementary Education major currently doing my student teaching and an alumnus of both private and public schools, I can say that I have seen many, many more dedicated and talented teacher at public schools than I have in my six years of private schools.' , I'm a sixth grader at a private school. All of my teachers have AT LEAST Masters Degrees and many have won multiple awards (my science teacher won teacher of the year). Also, my school is dedicated to diversity and we have a student body that is 30-40% African American and 20-30% Asian/Pacific Islander. Also, the fact that private schools do not have do accept every student that applies does not mean that private schools are not diverse, it means that we have a community of citizens that work well together and get along. 32% of my private school is on financial aid, and so you have no idea if kids have enough food or sleep. You obviously don't know everything there is to know about priva! te schools."
12/10/2008:
"I go to a private school, and it's fantastic. I am biased, and I refuse to say that public schools aren't as good as private schools, but I will say that private schools have given me an amazing education so far (I'm in 6th grade) and I love the one-on-one feeling I get in my classroom, the project-based learning we do, and the wonderful extra activities. Not all private schools are alike, though- my old school was definitely insufficient. I love love love my private school, but I think that private school may not be for everyone, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with public school."
12/10/2008:
"I go to a private Christian school and I have my whole life. My parents believe that it is the best thing for us. At a private school you have children that do act up, but the bad influences are greater at public schools. I know people say that at a private school you do not learn to socialize, but at a private school you learn how to become a responsible intelligent person. If you think that having more influences whether good or bad in music, appropriate dressing, and language is called socializing than I believe you are wrong. In our society laws are set and not meant to be broken. In a private school their is a better chance that these rules will not be broken and if they are all the necessary punishments will be given. I believe that in a public school too many rules are broken by too many people and many children get away with it. God is an important part of my education also. In school they teach us about creation and how in the beginning God created the heav! ens and the earth. He knows all and can see all at all times. What you do and wherever you go He is their watching over you. "
12/10/2008:
"I have always had a private education From K4 to 12th. All the children that go to private school are not snobby rich kids. My mother is a single mother with a low income and she still managed to afford a private education for my brother and I. I know for a fact that she gave up some things just so we could be given the opportunity to be in a private school. Also the teachers at my school receive a smaller amount of payment than public school teachers do. They do that because they care about our education and believe that it is worth it. Many children in my class hated public school and complained to their parents about the teaching skills, other students, and situations. This is not from my experience just what I have heard. I give all the credit of my education to my wonderful teachers who took the time to answer all my questions. At my school everyone felt like family. I believe that private schools are more supervised, more demanding of respect, and educatio! nal excellence. Also by having uniforms the morning is less stressful and their is no competition of who is wearing what. "
12/10/2008:
"In response to the last commenter's comment on my comment. I actually recieved part of my middle school and all of my high school education at a pretigious private school. While many of my teachers had adanced degrees in thier fields, very few had background in education. I had a physics teacher with a doctorate throw the answer key to a physics test on a table in the front of the room during the middle of class for a class of thirty students to get the answers. An extreame example of poor classroom management. This is only one of my many experiences with teachers who knew thier content but not how to teach it to students."
12/3/2008:
" excuse me to the last commenter, but I don't know where you have received your education, our private school teachers, are required to have a masters or a phd, at least a masters, your experience with private, is, could not be any more than a early learning child care, do your homework."
12/3/2008:
"Public School are unorganized and the teachers are not good. "
12/3/2008:
"There' s no black and white comparison. Some schools are better than others, regardless if they are public or private. I've been in both environments as a child. And where I grew up, private school was by far a better chance for a good education. But where I am currently raising my children, I would never spend the money on private school because the public schools in the area are excellent. And I want my kids to be in a diverse environment. The one experience I lacked when I moved on to a large college campus. I am now working for a large company, working with many brilliant people. I am the only one between my colleagues that went to a private school and I'm no different, except that they went to FAR superior colleges then I did. College is where you should invest your educational dollars. I would never tell this to my parents, but I think they should have just moved to a better area and sent my sisters and I to public school."
12/3/2008:
"Well done on whoever wrote that huge review on 1021.You share my views entirely."
11/24/2008:
"As an Elementary Education major currently doing my student teaching and an alumnus of both private and public schools, I can say that I have seen many, many more dedicated and talented teacher at public schools than I have in my six years of private schools. I have seen teachers work long hours and even give portions of thier paychecks towards helping thier students learn. Because public schools do not have to accept every student who applies, teachers have a less diverse population of students to teach. Often, these students come from homes where education is valued and parents can assist students with thier schoolwork. In public schools, teachers often have to help students succeed who may not even be being provided thier basic needs such as food and sleep. Since private school teachers do not need to have any background in appropriate pedagogy, they often have trouble presenting material to students in a comprehensible way."
11/20/2008:
"I've been to every type of school out there.....and the best school (in my opinion) is the Montessori School. It's not a Catholic school or a Public school, and I actually learned something. When I was in Catholic school I was scared of the teachers and i didn't fit in. In public school (which i am attending now), the work is too easy and i'm bored in class. plus the never-ending drama with the other students which is getting to be ridiculous. If i had my choice I would still be in a Montessori School with my own learning environment. but then again...everyone is entitled to their own opinion ^^"
11/17/2008:
"To whomever made this lovely comment, 'Plus private schools don't have as much social experience, and the sports are probably not as good,' you are completely wrong. I am a Junior attending a Catholic, College Preparatory High School, where our athletic program is the best in our area. We play in an athletic conference known all over the east coast for our excellence in all sports, and this includes the other private high schools in the conference. And as for the stereotypical comments, 'private school kids are snobs and are a bunch of spoiled brats,' that is again, wrong. I live on a farm (doesn't sound too rich and fancy to me), and every day my parents go to work, and every day they struggle to be sure that tuition is paid for in order for my sister and I to attend private school. And as far as education goes, I am in honors and college prep classes, and I can guarantee that the college prep classes surpass the standards of the honors courses at all three of the public sc! hools in my area. If it wasn't worth it, my parents would not be paying $14,000 a year for schooling."
11/17/2008:
"I have gone to a private school all of my life and I am sick of it. All of my friends go to public and I want to be with them! Most of the girls in my class are complete snobs who are completely self absorbed. They do not consider anybody besides them to be a worthwhile human being, and are very gossipy and rude. I am also sick of being portrayed as a snooty private school girl-because I am not snooty and my parents are digging very deep in their pockets to get me a good education. Even though I am middle class, it's still a struggle and then some. I want people to know that I am not the stereotypical private school girl (unlike my peers)- I have grown up in a city my entire life and am not suburban whatsoever. So I am definitely going to a public High school- just two more years to wait. Which sounds like a sickeningly long time for me!"
11/17/2008:
"i'm currently a junior in high in NYC and although we do not hold the best reputation i am proud to say that i attend a public school. Sure i kno what going to private school is like since i attentended a few and i have to say that it all depends on the type of child you have. whether they are very much into their education like myself of ir they're more of a slacker like many people i know. it doesn't matter what kind of child you have is he or she is a good student they will be good no matter where they are and if they're not vice versa. it all really depends on how much you really know your child and how much discipline you raised them with. private schools are very good and they look pretty good on a college application but they don't have that environment to challenge how much they really care and the diversity of thought, ideas and cultures really is a learning experience. i must say, i wanted to go back to private schools but what can i say parents, it really isn't al! l that different except in price of course. PS the money will be more useful for college... every dollar counts when you're paying 37 grands per semester lol"
11/13/2008:
"My mom attended private schools all her life, where she succeeded, but with little difficulty. I viewed her having a sheltered schooling. She only went up to Algebra as far as math credits go, and Biology as her only science. Although my mom enjoyed her time at school, she knew she would never send her children to private schools. I know for a fact that public schools can provide much more diversity, in terms of both classes and students. One major determining factor in selecting schools is the number of AP classes. The thing with AP, or advance placement, is that no matter if you go to public or private school, all the students enrolled in that class take the same exam issued by the College Board. Test results on AP exams distinguish the work ethic and teaching skills of both the teachers and students. In my school district, most public schools offer 22-24 AP Classes. However, the private schools offer 7-12. I believe that in public schools, you are encourged by your teache! rs to do well and take the advanced challange. I know people that both were eduated privately all their life, and educated public and then private, and none of them are taking any AP Classes. Why aren't the private schools enforcing these classes? The college board has just issued some statements claiming that many schools are dropped SAT requirements and instead turning to the student's strength of schedule. Good news for me- my 4 AP classes I have taken/are taking look pretty good next to a private schooler who has not taken any. Plus, do the admissions office take notice of every since school name when flipping through thousands of applicants? Plus, most students in the higher level of classes at my public school are taking 2-4 AP's, on top of honors classes, sports, and about the 30+ clubs and after school activities offered. I believe that private schools keep you in a sheltered world. They are shielding true-life events that occur in high school, making something as a! same-sex couple a shocking even that is unheard of. Newsflash! : in the real world, you are faced with different situations every day, working with people from all different educational values. I would think twice before sending your child to public or private. Perhaps ask for cirriculums and textbooks to peruse through to observe the rate different grade levels focus on. I know that even in elementary school, I was way ahead of private school peers. People are taking AP Calc 1 and 2 in 11th and 12th grade, while 11th graders at private schools are still in Algebra II and Trig."
11/12/2008:
"i think that no matter is the school is private or if it is public it does no matter what matter is if your child want's to learn. im in high school in a public one i think i does not matter if is private or not what matters is the opportunity you have to learn some thing new and to become some one in life. Public or private is the same you are learning some thing new every day."
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