Debunking Five Myths and Misconceptions About Private School

December 23, 2014
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Kindergarten

When it comes to private middle schools and high schools, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions out there. Are you letting an unfounded belief about private school hurt your child’s chances at a great education? Let’s unpack five myths about private middle schools and high schools so you can make the best decision for your child:

  1. Private School Teachers Make Less Money

    Though this may have been the case at one point, it’s becoming less true. Though teachers in private elementary school through high school don’t belong to unions, they’re often provided with housing, meals, and complementary tuition. Compensation often turns out to be about the same as public schools. Principals and administrators don’t belong to unions either.

  2. Private Schools are Only for Rich Kids

    Though students at top private middle schools and high schools do often come from wealthier families, more schools today have diverse student populations on purpose, to help children learn to be tolerant of others. This can benefit children from both low-income and high-income backgrounds.

  3. Teachers Don’t Need to Be Certified

    It’s true that private school teachers aren’t legally required to have teaching certifications, but most schools look for them anyway and will only hire teachers that have certifications or are planning to become certified soon.

  4. Private School is Too Expensive

    Private schools range widely in price, depending largely on where you live and what kind of school you’re looking at. Some private schools can charge much less thanks to donors and benefactors, and others allow students and families to apply for generous financial aid packages.

  5. Private Schools Guarantee College Admission

    Though it’s one of the more positive myths out there, it’s still a myth. Colleges typically give more weight to good grades, extracurriculars and a rounded education more than the school where the child is applying from. However, a school that acts as a preparatory academy will focus on preparing children for college education, so they may go into college more prepared.

Private school isn’t ideal for every child, but it can help many of them. Hopefully understanding the misconceptions about private education will help you choose the best course of action for your child’s education.
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