Types of Schools

Many years ago, I had no clue what a private school was, much less how to get into one. I can remember one of my public school classmates announcing that he would be attending a private school beginning the next academic year. Indeed, about three of my classmates went to what is still a prestigious old Montreal private school, Lower Canada College. I also had a few friends who had transferred in from a boarding school in the Eastern Townships. As I learned a little later, they had been asked to leave the school. In any case, I am trying to make the point that you are not the only person who isn't sure how private schools work, how to get your child in, and so on.

So, let's keep this really simple. You won't get too stressed. You might find it enjoyable to find the right private school for your child.

Find!

The first step in the process is to find schools that you can explore and investigate as part of your personal due diligence. Sending your child to private school is a major commitment both financially and in terms of your investment of your personal time and energy as a parent. So it is important that we get it right.

Fortunately for us, every private school has a website. Look for a statement of the school's philosophy about educating young people. Does it match yours? If so, add it to your

1. Private schools are really private.

By design, American private schools are really private. While in most cases they observe applicable state laws with respect to minimum requirements concerning what is taught, private schools are answerable to their boards and their clients, i.e., the families who send students to them.

2. Private schools are more affordable than you think.

Granted, some private schools are very expensive. Especially boarding schools. However, since they generally seek to attract a diverse student population, most private schools offer generous financial aid packages.

3. Several private schools are free.

This video gives an overview of one of the free schools, Girard College in Philadelphia.

Years ago several benefactors established schools that will cost eligible students virtually nothing to attend. In more recent times the Cristo Rey Network of schools has made a private school education almost free for families of limited means.

4. Some private schools are residential.

Residential private schools are known as boarding schools. Your child will attend classes as well as eat and sleep at the school. Professional, experienced adult supervision ensures the safety of your child 24/7.

5. Most private schools are day schools.

In a day school your child attends classes during normal daytime hours. Extracurricular activities and sports are typically included within that day time schedule.

6. Some private schools offer a blend of day and boarding options.

Boarding schools located in a

As you consider sending your child to a private school, you will quickly become aware of at least ten challenges you will face. If you are intrinsically well-organized and able to cope with a major project, tackling all that's involved with getting your child safely off to private school shouldn't be too difficult. There's just a lot to the project. If you find projects daunting, hopefully, this short essay will help you focus on the main sections of the process. Let's get started.

1. Deciding whether to send your child for primary grades or high school

I assume you have decided to send your child to a private school. Several articles in Private School Review explain the differences between private and public education. If you still need help making that decision, then read those first. Then, circle back and pick up with this first challenge.

There are two schools of thought about whether you should send your child to primary grades or high school. One line of thinking is that your child needs a solid foundation in core skills such as reading and math. That approach's proponents are adamant that you should send your child in the early, formative years. The other school of thought touts the idea that a solid college preparatory education in the high school years is essential. The thinking is that intensive preparation for college-level studies will help your child get into a good college or university, perhaps even a top-tier one.

Let's start our discussion with this question: what if a school you are looking at is not accredited? Does it matter?

Does Accreditation Matter?

There are plenty of fine private schools which are not accredited. But the fact that they are not accredited means that you and I have to do a lot more basic due diligence as we evaluate unaccredited schools. Many of the foundational issues which an accreditation process covers in great detail now become our responsibility to investigate. Think of this investigation just like the inspection which you commission when you put an offer on a house. The house looks perfect. But is its infrastructure perfect? Are there flaws which are not readily apparent? The inspector's report will reveal the good and the items which need fixing. That's basically how accreditation works. The properly executed accreditation process celebrates the school's good points and offers suggestions for fixing what is deficient.

Does Accreditation Matter for College Admissions?

Some experts claim that it doesn't matter much whether or not a high school or school district is accredited. The issue surfaces any time a school or a school district loses its accreditation or is threatened with its loss. The truth of the matter is that accreditation is just one piece of the admissions profile for candidates. I was unable to find any examples of a college rejecting an otherwise well-qualified candidate simply because she had the misfortune to graduate from a school which had lost its accreditation. [Source:

I am often asked what benefits there are for parents when they send their children to private school. The quintessential "What's in it for me?" is a legitimate question. After all you are thinking about sending your baby off to a school where you are being told she will work hard, learn how to get along with others and be involved in all kinds of activities. And it is going to cost you a small fortune to boot.

Your concerns are well-founded. So against that backdrop let's examine what I personally consider to be the three main benefits for us parents of sending our children to private school. Lest you think that I am speculating or theorizing, all four of our children went to private school. All grades too. Nursery school. Elementary school. Middle School and high school. So I speak from my own experience as a private school parent.

1. Knowing that your child will receive a comprehensive education: academics, sports and extracurricular activities.

Private schools educate the whole child. Educating the whole child requires an integrated program of academic studies, athletics and extracurricular activities. Essentially a private school is going to pick up where you left off when you sent her to school.

You have invested some serious time raising your child. Remember how you did it? Always a variety of activities. Always encouraging your child to do things she didn't know she