Choosing Between Public and Private High Schools
Curriculum, Special Needs, & Other Questions to Ask Before Enrolling
Oct 21, 2008
Transferring students from public institutions to private high schools involves an inquiry process demanding that parents ask the right questions and take specific steps to ensure that their educational investment results in success for their child. There are many kinds of private high schools with different missions and costs. Selecting the right one need not be daunting if parents follow an organized plan that fully answers all questions.
Types of Non-Public Schools & Initial Inquiry
According to the Office of Non-Public Education (ONPE), there were 28,996 non-public schools in the 2005-2006 school year. The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) lists 1,213 Catholic High Schools for the year 2007-2008. The Center for Education Reform reports that over 4,100 Charter Schools currently operate in forty states. The most expensive non-public alternatives are the college preparatory schools and the Country Day schools.
Parents considering school changes should begin by making a list of the non-public schools serving that particular community. Going to the websites of the schools will answer many preliminary questions.
- What is the school’s mission?
- How many students are enrolled?
- Is the school accredited by a known organization such as SACS? (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
- How long has the school existed?
Tuition costs are a significant concern and parents may ask in an initial telephone call if scholarships exist. Most private schools provide transportation at additional costs. This, as well as any other costs (such as book fees) should be included over tuition costs.
Visiting the School
Once parents have narrowed down their list, it is imperative to schedule a visit to the school that includes a facilities tour and discussions with appropriate school personnel such as school counselors, admissions representatives, and, if applicable, learning support specialists. If all inquiries are answered positively, arrange to have the child spend a day at the school to observe classes and get the feel of a normal school day. If the school requires an entrance examination, ask what kinds of tests are normally administered and if you will be required to pay for them. Initial questions should include the following:
- How many seniors graduate and what colleges are they accepted to?
- How many AP and Honors courses are offered?
- How do the school’s ACT or SAT scores compare to other area schools?
- What is the teacher-student classroom ratio?
The last question is vitally important because some schools divide the number of students by all faculty and staff rather than just by actual teachers, giving a false impression of low ratios. It is also important to know if teachers are certified by the state. In some cases, private school systems, like Catholic schools, facilitate their own certification.
Athletics and extra-curricular activities should also be explored. Ask for a list of clubs and student organizations. Tour the athletic facilities both inside and outside of the school. It is also helpful to ask for the names of parents that either have students currently at the school or whose children have recently graduated. Contact those parents to obtain an independent perspective.
Does the school offer any tutoring or SAT prep classes at no additional cost? Parents should also ask what their obligations will be if the school has a PTA or major fund raising projects. If the school has a five or ten year growth or performance plan, ask to have it explained.
Special Needs Students and Learning Support
If your child requires specific accommodations related to documented learning disabilities or physical handicaps, it is important to ascertain how the school handles such cases. Bring copies of all relevant data to the initial school visit and ask to meet with learning support personnel. If this is not possible, ask a learning support teacher to contact you.
- How are accommodations handled in classrooms by teachers?
- Does the school recognize Individual Learning Plans or IEPs?
- Is the school fully committed to a Learning Support program?
The choice of high school ultimately affects the success of the student and will significantly affect what college or university the student will eventually attend. Balancing academics with athletics and other extra curricular programs will determine how prepared students will be at graduation and whether they will complete the next four years of education in an increasingly competitive environment. This begins with a serious evaluation of those secondary schools parents have selected as alternatives to public education.
