As a Christian private school, we have over sixty years of experience and have had the blessing of seeing countless students graduate to success through our program. We are here to help parents make the right choice regarding their child’s education. In this article, we are discussing:
- The Differences Between Public, Private, and Charter School
- The Advantages of Choosing Private Education
- Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Private School
Here is everything you need to know about choosing a private school.
1) The Differences Between Public, Private, and Charter School
In order to better understand the choice in front of you, here are some quick definitions of public, charter, and private education:
- Public school: A public school is a primary or secondary school that is free to all students and is supported by taxes. A teaching certificate is necessary for public school teachers in the state of Michigan.
- Charter school: Charter schools are tuition-free primary and secondary schools that are funded by taxes; nevertheless, they are run autonomously and have greater discretion over curriculum. Teachers in charter schools in Michigan must be certified, but in some states, licensure may not be required.
- Private School: Private schools are independent elementary, middle, and high schools that are not subsidized by the government. Private schools are allowed to have the most control over curriculum, teaching style, religious emphasis, and other factors because they are self-funded, often through tuition and donations.
Private institutions must meet specific academic standards in order to comply with federal, state, and local laws. Private school teachers are not necessarily required by law to be certified; however, many individual institutions only hire certified teachers. There are pros and cons to each type of school.
Pros and Cons for Public Schools
Public School Pros: Since federal and state governments fund public schools and supply curricula, academics are fairly consistent across the country. Standardized examinations are required in public schools to assess the quality of curricula and teaching techniques, as well as to verify that every student is making progress.
Students at public schools frequently have access to programs that allow them to earn college credit, as well as a variety of athletic and extracurricular activities and social connections.
Public School Cons: Although public schools are generally safe, they do experience more violence, bullying, and theft than private schools. Students receive less individual attention from teachers and authorities when class sizes are greater. Schools have less freedom to choose curriculum or make decisions regarding social distancing and remote learning.
Pros and Cons for Charter Schools
Charter School Pros: Although charter schools are sponsored by the government, they are not subject to the same curricular regulations as traditional public schools. Students do not pay tuition for charter school education. Parents appreciate and benefit from year-round scheduling, lower class numbers, uniform attire, and specialized subject matter.
Charter School Cons: Charter schools are frequently at the cutting edge of technology and are often more willing to use creative curricula and teaching techniques. However, they are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as public schools and may suffer from a lack of monitoring from school boards.
Though particular institutions may choose to require state licenses, charter school teachers are not legally required to earn teaching licensing in some areas.
Pros and Cons for Private Schools
Private School Pros: Smaller class sizes, increased student involvement, and better classroom safety are all part of the private school experience. Private Christian schools like ours place a strong emphasis on the gospel and teach each subject from a Christian worldview perspective.
Teachers have more time and opportunities to invest in individual pupils because of the smaller classes. Uniforms are often required in many private schools, which fosters more equity amongst pupils from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Private School Cons: State and federal governments finance public and charter schools; however, private school students must pay tuition. The average annual tuition for religious private schools is between $7,000 and $10,000. Smaller student bodies may diminish participation and competitiveness in athletics and other extracurricular activities, while private schools have a reputation for exclusivity.
Every private school is different. Before writing off an institution based on these “cons,” we recommend getting in touch with administrators, teachers, and other parents. For tuition, many schools offer scholarships and assistance.
2) The Advantages of Choosing Private Education
While there are pros and cons to whatever type of school you might choose, we have seen firsthand just how advantageous private schools can be for students in our area.
1) Christian Private Schools Teach and Emphasize the Gospel
One of the most important advantages of Christian private education is the ability to make the gospel a prominent part of a child's education. The true story of Jesus' perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection is the greatest truth there is.
His death paid the price for our sins, and parents want their children to have every chance to be rescued through trust in Jesus' gospel. Our aim at St. Paul Lutheran School is to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ with our students. We want them to believe it and tell others about it.
2) Private Schools Are Safer
Regardless of whether your child attends private or public schools, you can generally expect them to be safe. Private schools are safer in some key statistical categories:
- Since 2000, public schools have been the scene of 94 percent of active shooter incidents.
- Approximately 20% of public school pupils believe there are gangs on campus. In comparison, only 2% of private school pupils say gangs are present at their schools.
- Bullying is reported by 28% of pupils in public schools. This is in contrast to the fact that 21% of private school kids are bullied.
- During the school day, over 40% of public school instructors claim they deal with disruptive behavior concerns. Only 22% of private school instructors, on the other hand, said they have to deal with disruptive behavior in the classroom.
3) Smaller Class Sizes Facilitate Individual Attention
One of the key benefits of private education is smaller class sizes. Private schools typically have 40-50% fewer individuals in each classroom.
“Private schools typically have 40-50% fewer individuals in each classroom.”-Why Private School Is the Right Choice for Your Child.
With fewer students in each classroom, teachers are able to provide individualized attention to students who might be struggling to understand subjects and concepts. They also have more opportunities to recognize when individuals are doing well and provide resources to excel further.
Fewer students per classroom also help administrators and faculty facilitate social distancing to create a safe and sanitary environment.
4) Private Schools Have Freedom
Private schools are able to choose their own curricula, providing students with an experience uniquely suited for them. Parents recognize that there is not a one-size-all solution for parents and children. Private schools can implement varying teaching styles and methods to better serve individuals.
5) Christian Private Schools Are Committed to Glorifying God
While public schools have governmental oversight, private Christian institutions are accountable to God. They exist to glorify God above all else. Many are also accountable to churches and denominations.
St. Paul Lutheran School is a ministry of St. Paul Lutheran School and the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
Our administrators, faculty, and staff are all committed to honoring God and serving students. Our students benefit greatly from this commitment to God first.
3) Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Private School
You may have settled on private education for your child, but choosing the right institution is another matter. Here are five questions to ask potential institutions to help you narrow down your choices:
- What Are the School’s Beliefs/Philosophy? You want to make sure a potential institution’s educational philosophy matches your own.
- What Is the School’s Mission? Our teachers believe each student is a Child of God gifted with the potential to achieve success. Teachers at St Paul are dedicated to developing the whole student to become an independent learner. Our mission is integral to our success.
- How Does the School Encourage Community? One of the benefits of working at both a school and a church is that individuals who work at St. Paul Lutheran School never forget the importance of community and relationships. At St. Paul, school and community are one and the same.
- How Does the School Implement Technology? We live in a modern era in which technology is becoming an increasingly important component of business and industry. As a result, it is critical for teachers and staff to integrate technology into the learning process, ideally without sacrificing human interaction. Furthermore, a school needs to use technology to its advantage when weather or sickness prevents meeting on campus. At the same time, faculty and administrators must know when to turn the screens off.
- What Sets the School Apart? As parents, you need to know what makes a school unique and sets it apart from other institutions in the area. That may include curricula, extracurricular activities, athletics, fine arts, religious expectations, etc.
St. Paul Lutheran School Northville, MI
At St. Paul Lutheran School, we provide a high-quality academic experience for each student in a supportive, Christian environment. We would love to talk with you more about our mission, how we serve our students, and answer any questions you might have.
If you would like to know more about St. Paul and how to make the right choice regarding private school for your child, reach out to our team.