Why Do Parents Choose to Enroll Their Kids in Private Schools?

One of the most essential responsibilities of parents is to be sure our children get a good education. For some parents, that responsibility leads them to choose private schools for their children. Many who invest in private schools do so for religious reasons.

According to Our Kids, other reasons for private schools include smaller class sizes and higher academic standards. For parents weighing the pros and cons of private schools, tuition is often the biggest roadblock. However, parents for whom the benefits of private school (such as religious instruction)resonate with their core values and consider it an investment. These parents are also more likely to participate in extra-curricular activities at private schools. Private schools often encourage this parental involvement. It can go a long way to show your child you fully support them.

When searching for local private schools for kindergarten private schools don’t always offer them. However, some church-connected preschools offer an opportunity to remain at the preschool during the kindergarten year. Parents will find themselves faced with choosing whether to switch schools at age five or six. Many parents faced with that choice will wait until first grade. After that, private elementary schools will be followed by private middle schools and private high schools.

Should you choose a school for your kids based on the extracurricular activities offered? That is a question parents should take seriously. Activities like athletics and arts programs help children to develop their talents in different fields. Studies have also shown that an arts curriculum is associated with better academic performance. In addition to extracurricular offerings, private schools perform better in other areas like student engagement and college admissions. From preschool to high school, private schools provide a nurturing environment in which children can learn and grow.

Why do parents choose private schools?
About one out of four, or 25% of all schools are private schools. From preschool to high school, they offer a number of advantages. With facilities like computer labs and summer camps, and extracurricular offerings including athletics and fine arts, they provide an education that helps students to develop their talents in different areas.
In terms of academic performance too, private schools do better than their public counterparts. They report higher rates of student and parent engagement, and a high percentage of their graduating high school seniors go on to attend four year colleges.

• Student engagement
  When it comes to student and parental involvement in education, private schools are ahead of public schools. Over one fifth or 21% of all public school teachers report that they face the problem of student apathy, as compared to only 4% of private school teachers. Parental involvement is a problem for 24% of public school teachers, but only 3% of private school teachers share this perception. Greater student and parent engagement in all aspects of education is connected to better overall academic performance, as seen in results from standardized testing and college admissions.

• Academic performance
  Students in private schools achieve higher scores on standardized tests like the SATs. Their average SAT scores are around 1235, as compared to the national average of 1060. Nearly all, or 95% of all graduating high school seniors in private schools go on to attend four year colleges, as compared to less than half, of 49% of students graduating from public schools.

• Extracurricular activities
  The best private schools offer extracurricular activities like athletics and arts programming. Most parents are aware that participation in these helps their children to develop their talents. Studies also show that a strong arts curriculum can improve academic performance, as well as social, cognitive and emotional development. Arts programming, including music, the arts, theatre, and creative writing are associated with gains in academic skills including math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal ability. Participation in arts and sports programs can increase students’ self-confidence, motivation, and concentration, and helps them to learn about teamwork.

When choosing a school for their kids, parents have to take a number of factors into account. Extracurricular activities, academic performance, and greater student and parent engagement all contribute to a quality education that helps students to develop their talents and character. Private schools offer all of these advantages. Nearly all graduating high school seniors from private schools go on to attend four year colleges, which takes them further on the road to achieving their life goals.