Exploring Private School Jobs: Opportunities and Insights

What is it really like to work in a private school? Is it the same as teaching in a public school? We'll look at the advantages of working in private schools, different types of jobs in private schools, teaching in a private school versus a public school, the benefits of working at a private school, preparing for work in a private school, and finding employment there.

I taught Latin, English, World History, Music, and Computers in private schools and was also the Deputy Director of one. What I liked the most was that my students loved learning. Their curiosity was boundless. They also worked very hard. I remember most of my middle school and high school students lugging wheeled suitcases filled with textbooks. The John E. Warriner English Grammar and Composition texts were thick and heavy, as was the world history text. My classes were small. The students were generally gifted. Indeed, several were probably geniuses. The partnership with parents was constructive. They appreciated the education we were giving their children. We appreciated the support they gave at home. Mind you, as I think back to those days in the 90s, I didn't have to deal with smartphones and all the social media distractions such as TikTok that are rampant today. It was some of the hardest work I ever did. I had to draft my lesson plans for the week to be reviewed every Monday by the head of school. That took several hours after school to complete. Since I taught English and history, I assigned many essays. I spent hours every day correcting papers. Despite that, my years teaching in private schools were some of the most satisfying times in my career.

Flexible Curriculum

A private school teacher does not have to teach to the test. Public school teachers must focus on preparing their students to do well on state-mandated testing instead of really teaching them. Is It Wrong to Teach to The Test?, an article in Edutopia, explains what teaching to the test implies. Private school curricula incorporate the state course requirements into their teaching. Schools then enrich those minimum requirements. Furthermore, since private school teachers don't have to teach to the test, they can facilitate those sidebars that inevitably come up in class. It is easier to follow the child when you aren't nervously watching the clock, knowing that your students must be prepared for that state test.

Smaller Class Sizes

Private school class sizes are generally smaller than similar public school classes. You can truly teach a small class of students, and discipline issues are minimal. With a class of 12-15 students, I could see at a glance who understood the lesson and who didn't. That is an important part of teaching. Small class sizes encourage interaction and discussions. These activities are essential tools for developing critical thinking. Encouraging students to ask questions and express their opinions about a topic helps them see both sides of an argument or point of view.

Increased Teacher Safety

Teachers feel safer in most private schools because they can enforce their discipline codes with impunity. In addition, most private schools have a much smaller student population than public schools. So it is easier to supervise a smaller group of students.

Private schools employ administrators, support staff, and teachers. The teachers give any private school its special, unique flavor. Most schools are very particular about the teaching styles and qualifications they are looking for.

Educational Positions

What does a teacher do?

• Teacher. The teacher is responsible for educating students in her class and setting expectations. Depending on the grade level, the teacher may be responsible for multiple subjects or focus on one subject. In addition to their teaching duties, teachers may have extra roles in study hall, the cafeteria, sports, and other after-school activities. GlassDoor shows an average salary for private school teachers of $55,000 to $75,000. Teaching positions can specialize in special education, vocational training, and athletic training.
• Teacher’s Assistant. The teacher’s assistant helps the teacher maintain the educational milieu of the class, prepares class materials, and works with students. The salary range will be less than what a teacher makes.
• The NCES offers State Education Data Profiles, which give an idea of conditions in various parts of the country.

Administrative & Support

Administrative and support positions include:

• Administrator
• Office Staff
• Guidance Counselor
• School Social Worker
• School Nurse
• Librarian
• Maintenance
• Custodial
• Food Service
• Transportation

Here are some of the more common attributes where public and private schools differ. These are often the reasons why a particular private school was started in the first place. Parents or teachers, often both, decided that they could produce a better educational result by creating a school where they controlled the way the school was run and who attended. That way the school, parents, and students create a strong partnership that supports academic excelence and intellectual growth.

Teacher Safety

Teacher safety is generally a non-issue in most private schools. When an incident occurs, the consequences are swift and appropriate. Private school students are governed by contract law. The terms of their being at the school are very clearly spelled out in that contract signed by parents and the school.

Class Size

Class size is small in most prep schools. Typically, 12:1 is the ratio of students to faculty you will find. Most parochial schools have larger class sizes, generally in the range of 25-30 students. Teaching a small group of students is much easier than teaching a large class.

Supplies

Supplies such as books and equipment tend to be newer than those in public schools. In a private school, students buy their books at the beginning of the school year. Facilities and equipment are usually state-of-the-art in private schools as they have more funding options.

Curriculum

In private schools, teachers often feel they have more impact on the curriculum than they would in a public school setting. This is because most public schools (charter schools being an exception) must follow a curriculum set by the state from which they cannot deviate. About 30 private schools follow the IB or International Baccalaureate curriculum, which is a rigorous course of study leading to a diploma granted by an external examination body.

Advance Placement Courses

Private schools offer a wide variety of AP courses because they have the qualified, experienced staff and resources to teach these college-level courses effectively.

Administration

Private schools tend to keep their administration fairly streamlined. They don't have the layers of bureaucracy with which public schools have to contend. This makes it easier to address issues and effect change as necessary.

Unions

Most public school teachers belong to a teachers union. Private school teachers do not belong to a union. Private schools often strive to maintain close relationships between teachers, administrators, and parents. They may prioritize open lines of communication and collaboration to address concerns and make decisions collectively. In such environments, the need for formal union representation may be perceived as less critical.

The following benefits are fairly common at most private schools:

• Health insurance
• Disability benefits
• Leave programs (Sick, personal, holidays). Because most teaching positions last only nine months, teachers may not receive annual vacation time (in private or public settings).
• Retirement plans
• Life Insurance
• Savings plans (457 and 403b)
• Professional development plans
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
• Long-term care benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and mental health benefits
• Meals
• Reduced or free tuition for children
• Housing (at boarding schools)

The career path to a private school job differs from the public school sector in several ways. Private schools will often hire teachers who have not yet obtained a teacher's license or teacher’s certificate. The emphasis is on expertise in a subject area and other qualifications. It's important to note that the career path to a private school job can vary depending on factors such as location, level of experience, and the specific requirements and preferences of individual schools. Being proactive, building a strong network, and continuously developing your skills and qualifications will increase your chances of securing a desirable position in a private school.

Degrees

Teaching in a private school setting requires a bachelor’s degree at a minimum. A master's degree or doctorate is preferable. A subject area is preferred over an education degree, particularly at the high school level.

Certification

It's a common belief that private schools do not require certification. Actually, it depends on the individual school. The US Department of Education keeps an updated list of state requirements for private schools. You should also check with private schools that interest you to determine their required certifications. Besides state certification, a private school may require additional regional certification, such as the NAPCIS Teacher Certification Program for Catholic educators.

Experience

Teachers can begin teaching as soon as they have graduated from college. Many private schools offer intern programs to train the fledgling teacher according to the school's teaching practices. Many young private school teachers can enjoy their first class right out of college.

Agencies

Placement agencies know the market and have established clients looking for qualified staff.

• CalWest Educators Placement specializes in the placement of private school teachers and administrators on the West Coast.
• Carney, Sandoe & Associates specializes in placing faculty and administration in independent schools. The firm was established in 1977. Register online to become a CS&A candidate.
• The Education Group is another placement firm focusing on placing teachers and administration into private school settings.
• Search Associates focuses on placing teachers and administrators in private schools worldwide.

School Web Sites

Be sure to check out private school websites for job openings. These will be posted under a heading such as employment or professional opportunities.

Association and Other Job Boards

• Anthroposophy has an online listing of current job openings for Waldorf schools.
• K-12 Jobs has a job bank for teaching and administrative positions, but you’ll need to create an account before accessing the site.
• Montessori (AMI-USA) lists job openings in the US and international positions for the Association Montessori Internationale member schools.
• Montessori Schools (AMS) is the job bank site for the American Montessori Society, which includes over 1,000 member schools. Their job bank will let you narrow your search down by state.
• NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) has one of the best private school websites in the sector, with a sophisticated job search engine that lets you narrow your search by job level, category, and location. NAIS has over 1,100 member schools.
• WaldorfWorld has an online job bank for international positions in Waldorf schools. You can also post ads to seek employment.
• The Independent School Educators' List (ISED-L) has job postings from time to time.
• The Klingenstein Center has a comprehensive job bank.

This video describes teacher assistant training in the Montessori method.

Employment in Religious Schools

• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) offers a job listing for job openings in Christian schools in North America. Job seekers can also post their qualifications and contact information online.
• Friends Council on Education FCE has an online job bank for member schools providing Quaker Education. Search results can be narrowed by state.
• The National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools NAPCIS offers an online job placement list of available positions in member schools.
• The National Association of Episcopal Schools NAES lists career opportunities at member schools. Their career announcements are categorized into administrative and teaching positions, further dividing teaching positions into early childhood, elementary and middle school, and secondary school teaching positions.
• Member schools use the National Catholic Educational Association NCEA's job bank. Non-member schools can use it for a fee, so even if you’re not interested in working in a school with a religious affiliation, this site may be worth a visit.
• National Christian School Association NCSA has both job listings and lets you post your resume.
• Seventh-day Adventist Schools This site lists open positions at SDA schools.

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