The debate between private schools, public schools, and charter schools is likely to reignite again when the Houston area and other parts of southern Texas make important decisions about rebuilding schools that fell in the path of Hurricane Harvey. Nearly 12 years ago, to the day, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans schools in that area also suffered severe damage. The schools in so many areas suffered so much damage, in fact, that the state saw no solution for the public school system except to let charter schools come in and take over. And while many private schools found the resources they needed to reopen, the public schools did not.
There has already been some speculation that areas in Texas will soon be faced with the same choices. Will private schools find the funds they need to reopen? Will the public schools be faced with the difficult decision about reopening under the traditional structure, or will they need the help of the charter school format to reopen and survive?
Families Often Have Strong Opinions about the Benefits of Different Kinds of School Options
Education is the one thing that almost everyone seems to have an opinion about. From families that have attended private schools for generations to families who have always been strong supporters of public school education, the goal is always the same. Parents want to find the classroom and the school that will provide the very best learning environment. And while some parents are looking for a fine arts high school for their students, other parents are looking for a parochial elementary school that will provide religious education incorporated into the traditional school day.
In many cases, it is the educational background of the parents that most influences the decisions that they make for their children. Consider some of this information about what parents look for in schools and why some families decide to select private educational options over a public school classroom:
- Parents who believe in the advantages of private schools are often willing to pay whatever tuition is required to make sure that their children have the greatest chance at success.
- Religious education is one of the reasons that some families make the decision to send their children to private school classrooms.
- Of the 305,842 private high school graduates from the 2010-2011 school year, nearly 64% attended four year colleges by the fall of 2011.
- Despite the cost of tuition, many families decide that a private school education is a necessary investment for their children.
- Until you find a classroom in a school where your child is both challenged and successful, you may not be satisfied with the educational results.
- Classroom success is almost always determined by the ability of the teacher.
- There are 30,861 private schools in the U.S., serving 5.3 million PK-12 students.
- In a study completed in 2007 by the Fraser Institute, 91% of parents indicated that the dedication of the teachers was their main reason for choosing private education.
- Very few families in the country want to risk the chance of getting a mediocre education.
- Education determines future success.
- Classroom and school size is another advantage of private schools. In fact, private high schools are on average less than half the size of public schools.
- Literature, math, and history classes that are offered as dual enrollment is one thing that families are looking for.
- Averages indicate that children who attend preschool perform 21% better on math and reading tests in kindergarten than peers who do not attend preschool.
- Students succeed in classrooms where teachers have high expectations.
- Statsitics show that 96% of all private schools in 2011?12 were coeducational, while 2% enrolled all girls and 2% enrolled all boys.
- Research shows that 86% of private schools have fewer than 300 students.
- One set of statistics shows that private schools account for 24% of the nation’s schools and enroll 10% of all PK-12 students.
- One great teacher can make a big difference.
- Middle school years can be especially challenging for some students.
- Sending middle schoolers to a private school can sometimes be the best solution.
Every parent wants to find a PRODUCTIVE CLASSROOM for their children. Finding the best classroom, lead by a qualified teacher can help a child make great progress. Finding a school full of these classrooms can mean an entire school career full of learning.
