The Value of Private School Education

Higher Education and Financial Benefits

Reports from the NELS (National Education Longitudinal Study 1988/2000) clearly indicate that students who attended private school in the eighth grade were twice as likely to have earned a Bachelor's degree by the time they were in their mid-twenties, compared to those who attended public schools.

A Study from CAPE (Council for American Private Education) from 2014 also states that 64 percent of graduates from all private high schools go on to a four-year college. The same is true for 40 percent of graduates from traditional public schools and 37 percent of graduates from public charter schoolsThose statistics are hard to ignore. Here is another one:

US citizens who possess a Bachelor's degree make, on average, $17,000 more than high school graduates. Those with a professional degree make a whopping $56,000 more than high school graduates! (US Census Bureau).

Over the course of a career, that amounts to $ 2,240,000 more – without even taking into consideration a myriad of factors such as investments, and the ever-increasing gap between salaries etc.

There is compelling evidence that students who attend private schools are way more likely to attend college and do much, much better financially. This also leads to better self-esteem, higher job satisfaction rates and an elevated social status. Finances are a not the sole measure of an individual's success. However, they do provide the means to lead a more fulfilling life.

Reasons Parents Choose Private Schools

Parents are choosing private schooling to help set their kids up for greater opportunities in life. Read five additional reasons parents enroll their children in private schools.

1) Continuously Improving Standards

Children who attend private schools are subjected to a much higher standard of education. They are encouraged to challenge themselves. This leads to a profound understanding of the subjects that they're dealing with. It also inculcates a go-getting attitude and instills confidence.

Children are taught not to be intimated by hurdles, but to come up with ways of overcoming them. All parents want this attitude in their children. It is impossible to put a price tag on it.

Private schools require deeper involvement and typically have more coursework. Since the graduation requirements for private schools are much higher, students get a head start in college and higher classes.

2) Extracurricular Activities

A good private school will focus on the overall development of your child. It does not impose a rigid education system on kids. Instead, it taps into their natural curiosity and helps them in discovering their true gifts and talents.

This is crucial for choosing the right career path. When children choose according to their interest rather than simply following the herd mentality, they end up doing what they love and are more satisfied in their career.

Instead of constantly telling children what to take an interest in, private schools ask the child what they would like to engage in. This promotes better life satisfaction for the child and continues to play a part as they grow to adulthood.

Generally, private schools dedicate substantial resources towards extracurricular activities such as field trips, museum and science exhibition visits, sports, science fairs, music lessons, plays and a multitude of other projects.

While some parents may see these activities as unnecessary costs, these immersive experiences create a more flexible format to encourage student learning and retention of information. It is a fact that every student learns in a slightly different way, and these out of classroom experiences create new opportunities to improve a student's performance.

3) Better, Happier Teachers

Many public school teachers are frustrated by the constraints of the public education system. They feel overworked, underpaid and bogged down by a mountain of regulations and paperwork. This environment for teachers directly influences their ability to teach and the students' performance.

Teachers in private schools have much better working conditions. On average, private school class sizes are smaller. This is better not just for your child, but also for educators. They do not have to deal with large classrooms that are difficult to control. They enjoy more autonomy and can pay attention to the development and individual challenges of every student.

Private schools are very particular about whom they hire to teach in their classrooms. After all, they rely very heavily on reputation and word of mouth to grow instead of mandated placement of students by their zip code. In order to thrive as a private school, they must provide a higher standard of teaching staff to stay competitive.

4) Parent Participation

Private schools require strong parent involvement. This is great as you get to be a part of your children's learning and growth. You can monitor their growth closely and you also have a say in the school's practices. Brilliant things happen when the school, the student and the parents are all equally committed to success.

5) Better Discipline

Private schools have strict codes of behavior and high disciplinary standards that foster an excellent learning environment. This helps children to grow into mature and responsible adults. Meanwhile, public schools face many issues with student discipline. Even if your child is well-behaved, other students may distract them and this could reduce their valuable learning time.

A small classroom is always easier to control. Even better, one-to-one instruction allows the teacher to work with one student and do away with the distractions even some private schools have. When students build relationships with their teachers and realize they are truly cared about, their urges to act out decrease. Private schools provide peace of mind – your child spends more time gaining knowledge and less time dealing with disruptive problems.

Private education is founded upon a strong sense of values. These values help children to form life-long friendships with their school mates. It also fosters healthy relationships between parents, teachers and students that lead to a general feeling of well-being and facilitates learning in an organic manner.

Overall, private schools provide an avenue for students to be accountable, explore their talents and interests, and build relationships. continue onto college, and earn higher paying jobs. The value of private schools ultimately creates a foundation for a fulfilling and rewarding life.

Read More:

• Take a look at colleges students have moved onto after attending Brightmont Academy.
• Learn how Brightmont can help prepare your child for college.
• Discover more about the mission and values of Brightmont Academy.