Private Schools vs Public Schools
By: Mark Liedtke
The argument of ages ravages America: Publics schools or private schools. According to the 2009 GreatSchools and Harris Interactive poll, roughly one if four parents (24%) are rethinking the type of school their children should attend in the future.
The most obvious difference between the two is money. Public schools cannot charge tuition for their students. The downside to this is that public schools are often underfunded and are influenced heavily by politics and shortfalls. They are funded through federal, state and local taxes and since most of them are a part of a larger school district or system, they must follow the rules and regulations set by politicians. Private schools of the other hand are privately funded and rely on tuition, private grants and donations to keep their schools funded. In 2007-2008, according to the Council of America Private Education, the average tuition for all non-sectarian was $17,316.
Another difference would be the admission. By nature, private schools are selective. Because of this, the admission process often takes more effect from the family because the school is not obligated to take every child. More tests, more interviews, even essays. On the flip side, public schools are required by law to accept all applicants to their schools. However a downside to this is that for students with special needs, there always might not be the proper care that they need available at certain schools due to high volumes of students with other needs or lack of staff members qualified.
Colleges also deal with the private versus public issue. The cost of a public college is anywhere between 0%-75% less than the cost of private schools. Also, in the college spectrum, many students found roughly the same 30-year return on their investments.
Teaching quality also comes into the argument of this topic. Many people believe that because their sons/daughters are attending private schools that they are receiving a higher level of education from them. However, many public school teachers have the same level education as the private school teachers do, and more private school teachers are often teaching without a bachelors degree. Also it is important to note that many public school teachers are state certified or at least working towards being certified.
The curriculum development between the two different school types varies greatly. Once again since public schools must follow state guidelines set for certain standards. Private schools are allowed to create whatever curriculum and assessment models that they wish. In some cases this can result in higher standards for students in private schools, however it can also lead to lower standards.
Both of these types of schools add their own pros and cons. Public schools allow for no cost outside of taxes from the federal, state and local levels. Also they are open to accepting all students without any exceptions and their teaching quality is roughly the same as the private schools. Private schools have tuitions, and are funded through themselves, donations and tuitions. Also they are a lot more selective than public schools are the admissions process takes longer.
Bibliography
"Private versus public." GreatSchools. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. <http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/59-private-vs-public-schools.gs?page=all>.
"The Economy's Impact on Back to School." greatschools. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. <http://www.greatschools.org/news/back-to-school-poll-results.page>.
As a student who attended a private school for nine years before coming to Pewaukee, I have personal experience with this blog post. From experience, I can say that there is a much higher standard at private schools than public schools. The transfer to a public school was much easier than I thought it would be, the standards were not as high. I do not disagree that public and private school teachers have the same degree and ability of teaching, I do however know that private schools expect much more out of students than public schools do. Great article!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as Hailey. I went to private school from preschool to 8th grade. Pewaukee is a much better school then where I went to but that is mainly because the community is much richer, giving the school more funds. Also there are many private schools starting to shut down because of the less parents are afford private school in not as well off communities. This what happened to my old school right after I left. But even with their less funds they still had us higher standers. Their grading scale was much more harsh. Like a 75% was a D at my old school. That is just an example to agree with Hailey's statement that private school expect more of their students
DeleteThis article was very interesting to me because I've attended 2 different private schools and a public school. I would say that I haven't found much of a difference between the two types of schools. They both have very well educated teachers that I think have taught me very well. To me, the only main difference would be that the rules at a private school are a little more strict than at a public school but other than that I can say that they're both very similar. Yes, admission cost is a big factor but if a parent is willing to pay the money to let their child go to a private school, then they can. To me, the education is similar but if parents want to believe that their kids are getting a better education at a private school, then they can do what they want with their children/money.
ReplyDeleteI agree and feel that the decision on whether to go private or public in regards to schooling is a very difficult decision made by parents. Of course private schools are selective and therefore thought to be more prestigious and ultimately a more high quality choice, but then there is always the temptation of the public schools because the money from our tax dollars is already being put towards it. Economically, however, I think that equal enrollment in both is favorable. This is because both contribute to our economy in different ways; public schools are basically run by our tax dollars and allow for more children to obtain an education and therefore contribute to society because of its lower cost and easy enrollment. Private schools on the other hand allow for people to have the option to heighten their academic experience and often these schools make large donations and host charities because of the financial ability of its student body. With both schools having pros and cons, it is important to keep the enrollment high for each of them in order to help our economy.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of before how many of the teachers who are at public schools got the same teaching as the private school teachers. It seems odd how people would pay a substantially higher tuition just to get the false sense of a higher quality education. Plus if taxpayers are already paying for the majority cost of public schools, why not just reap some of the benefits of your taxpaying dollar?
ReplyDeleteIn my time I have been in and out of both public and private schools as well as being home schooled and was at a online schooling program. The school that I liked the most was the online schooling because you are able to learn from the comfort of home, I was able to get far better grades then I have ever gotten from a public or private school, and I believe it is because there were less distractions I was given a computer and I was able to focus on the homework given to me and finish it record braking time.
ReplyDeleteBecause the cost of private school is so high, there is becoming a bigger demand in public school education. Peoples' taxes leave them with not a lot of expendable money, and many families do not want to use their left over money for education that is the same as education you would get by paying high amounts. I can see how this could help or hurt the economy.
ReplyDeletePrivate schools should not be possible. You said that tuition there is about $17,000. That is more than my college I am going to. I believe that you are right about the level of education; they do not have a higher level of education at a private school. I believe that there should be no private schools, only public.
ReplyDeleteIt is not the case with everyone, but many parents choose to send their children to private school for the religious aspects. Public school does not allow religious beliefs to be taught, and many parents wish to instill their own beliefs in their children. If they send them to private school, they can be taught to follow a certain religion, and many parents believe that their children will also be more disciplined than children who attend public school.
DeleteFor most kids who plan on going to college, it makes more economical sense to go to a public high school because then they save a lot of money that can be used to pay for college and help lower student loans after college. However, the demand of public schools goes down depending on the demographics; less people want to attend public schools in inner cities where gang violence is higher and it is unsafe to attend certain schools. These demographics and consumer expectations can decrease the demand of public schools and therefore increase the demand of private schools. But in suburbs where the tax money is used to make the public schools technologically advanced and keep them up to date in terms of education terms, the demand for public schools goes up because people realize that they can go to public schools for much cheaper (taxes) than private schools (high tuitions). Plus, if someone attends a private school, it is almost as if they are paying for two tuitions, because must still pay taxes which pays for public schools. But at the end of the day, we must remember that each student is unique, so each student should have the right to choose the school that best suits them. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely a different way everyone looks at private schools then they do public schools. Public schools being a lot more common for the average student to attend, draws in a lot more students. People assume that private schools are always higher class and better education, but that is not always the case. It's amazing that they can charge so much for a student to go to high school yet, when some kids still don't even know how to afford the college they want to go to. It doesn't seem like a logistic idea to make kids pay for a high school education which in the long run, does nothing for you if you don't take it to the next level.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the only difference between a private and public school is the money, there shouldn't be any reason why private schools are the way they are. To enter into a private high school is about $17,000? That's more then most colleges. The teachers have the same level of education so why does it really make a difference if a parent sends their child to private or public school? Overall it's a personal preference, but if a parent is thinking about private schooling, they should obviously do some research first.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a private school myself so I feel as If that I am leaning in the direction that public schools are better because I attend one and always have. In some community's public schools aren't as funded as PSD in which in that case maybe going to a private school is better for the student, however in my case public school is the best option due to the high quality. I think that one day private schools may become extinct as if it were a living being, therefore I would think that public schools are best for the most part.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Karen on this, while, usually it is not the childs choice as to where they go to high school, public schools are a much better option if they plan on going to any type of college. I personally see the marginal cost higher than the benefit to go to private schools in high school because while some of these schools are considered college prep schools, it is almost the same education across the board. I have friends that go to private schools with their tuition at almost 10 grand a year and then planning on going to a college added another 80,000 through college. Plus, like how inflation rises, tution rises almost every year for both high schools and colleges like how Marquettes tuition was at about $44,000 this year and is predicted to be at $47,000 next year. I see it more reasonable to go to a public high school like Pewaukee--which is funded enough to give good education--and then pay for college. Overall great job!
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Tanner. I used to go to a private school and they aren't nearly as awful as people make them sound. Private School education can be better sometimes but, most often it's not much different. Public schools already have a ton of students in them, if there were no private schools just imagine how much busier these hallways would be. Private schools can be a good thing. Just because they are exclusive and cost a lot doesn't mean they should just be shot down. I like private schools better because the smaller class sizes make it easier to get help from teachers. Beyond that though there is hardly a difference between private and public. Both schools have their pros and cons, it's just a matter of where a child's parents want to put their money,
ReplyDeleteFrom the start you can see for obvious reasons why private schools rely heavily on the tuition, donations and grants, because as explained above they aren't funded otherwise. Although the public schools can be easily corrupted and/ or manipulated by politics and government, they are still funded either way it is put. Since private has selected enrollment, they can still fall very short of the money needed to run the school. And though private schools as a whole are better, from the money aspect, public schools can be a pro and a con. The use alot of money from the government for all their basic needs, but at the same time, they won't ever really have to worry about a lose of money, because as the government sees it, school is detrimental to living in this society. All and all, public school is a heavy burden to the economy, because all though they are setting kids up for their future of producing money, all they really do in the long run is take and take and take, and not much of giving back to the economy as a whole.
ReplyDeleteNice job with this article! I attended private school from 1st grade until 8th grade so this blog post was very interesting to me. Private Schools hold higher standards of moral behavior and education in my opinion that a student who attended a private school for nine years before coming to Pewaukee. I do think that both Private and Public school teachers have the same job expierience and ability to teach at the same level, but I think that the payment difference between Private and Public play into the outcome of standards. At Public school sometimes I have seen because the pay is higher than a private school that there is a sense of apathy - not from all teachers at all - but more so than at private schools. This is because in private schools the pay is low and there has to be a passion and a strong desire to be in that position - weather payed or not. This was really interesting to read! Good job.
ReplyDeleteIts all about preference. It depends on if you want to go to a school where there is or isn't diversity. Private schools are more expensive, but if you have outside sources paying for your school, it shouldn't make a difference after college. Private schools offer grants and scholarships to nearly every student while public school scholarships are more selective. Like I said above, it's all about preference.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to have become more of a demand for private schools since the public system does not seem fit for many wealthier families. However, Private schools are more expensive, yet it is true they seem to turn out better educated students than public schools. It is preference and whether the economy can keep with the rising prices of these schools. Private schools are not controlled by the government therefore they have an advantage as to what they teach and how they do different things at their school. Going to a private school from 1st through 7th grade I clearly saw the differences going from there to a public school, there was a big change in the teaching system and just the general way things were run. Yet in the future economy, it seems that Private schools will be on the decline due to the failing economy.
ReplyDeleteMany parents send their kids to private schools because most private schools are Church run, and they want their kids to grow up in a much more strict environment. The trouble is that these Church run schools are often much smaller than public schools, preventing them from catering to the needs of gifted kids, or those with special needs. During my tour of the Air Force Academy over spring break, there was a girl in my group whose school did not offer physics. Could you imagine going to the Air Force Academy with out taking physics?
ReplyDeleteGood topic to write on. Also the demand for the private schools actually helps public schools a bit. The reason why is all people in the local area have to pay taxes but if less people are attending these schools that means that the dollar per person increases. Also Private schools have a second advantage on public. Private schools because of there cost and enrollment policies keep about the top 50 percent of people. This means that some of the smartest people are exported from the public school systems. All in all schools are in local areas do not change that much though. Good writing article.
ReplyDeleteI love this debate. I personally believe private schools are not necessary for elementary, middle, or highschool. The public schools funded by the state can offer a good base education and are guarenteed to meet the requirements of the state. Then the money that would've been spent on private school can be put towards the more expensive education: college. I do see value in private schools; yes they might seem to charge exceedingly higher, depending on the school, but after my college research, many private colleges can offer some programs that not many public colleges can. But choosing a college is a different discussion that involves primarily opportunity costs. Even though I don't believe private school is necessary before college, I do see Justin's point and maybe it is because private schools exist that I consider the level of education to be equal from both public and private. Good article.
ReplyDeleteYour post asks a difficult question on the values of both public and private schools. I see private schools as a challenging factor, because they can either exceed or be inferior to public schools which meet all requirements without fail. There is some element of risk as well, because private schools rely on income outside of government funding. I see public schools as being the better option due to their structured curriculum and reliability. There are drawbacks to each system, but the concrete benefits of public schools outweigh the potential benefits of private schools
ReplyDeleteSince public schools are a public good, the public is allowed to reap the benefits of this form of education. For many lower-class families, public schools allow their children to grow into successful adults while not costing parents an arm and a leg for college, and religious institutions, Ivy League schools and other private schools can collect a high tuition from their private services. Relying on only one form of primary and secondary education would cut the hundreds of jobs that can be supplied within a single school district and create in imbalance in classes because the rich choose to pay for private schooling but others choose the more affordable public option.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about the value of one over the other until reading this article. I think both types of schools can be valuable depending on their content, but this would be hard to regulate for private schools because of their self-run way of business. Public schools are up to standards because if they aren't, the don't get funded, but the private schools could keep up with public schools if they observed the guidelines and kept them in mind while planning the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteWhile it's true that the schools aren't usually different with their teaching levels, I agree with Olivia that private schools might have more opportunities open to their students because of the high tuition, though compared to the state and federal funding for school it isn't always a higher income. It was also a good point about students with learning disabilities in public schools and there is probably some discrimination against them in private schools which may increase demand for special needs teachers in public schools. I wonder if this would increase funding in public schools from the government? Good job Mark!
ReplyDeleteI think your topic is very relatable for many of us seniors making our final college decisions. I know that public colleges are a lot less expensive than private universities, or at least at first. Though private colleges may be more expensive, many of these institutions give out high amounts of scholarships for those with good academics and who are involved in extracurricular activities. They also have smaller class sizes usually and more interactions with your professor. I personally like the private school setting, but it's really up to the person and what they can afford and what they like. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI think that public schools are better for people because they give kids that need and or want an education. I do see public schools being a more ideal option due to the fact that the public schools are better because many parents want there kids to be smarter. I do have to say that if we did have smaller classes and more one on one time with the teachers though it would make a better learning easier for most people like myself.
ReplyDeleteAs we choose a college to go to next year, I'm sure this topic has crossed our mind. Spend more for a private, prestigious university, or come out of college with less debt? Personally, I feel the overall education doesn't vary too much depending on whether or not the school is private or public. However, private schools/colleges might give their students more attention. Private schools are typically smaller, but when it comes to college, some public schools can be just as selective. My opinion is why not take advantage of the education you and your neighbors have been spending their taxes on?
ReplyDeleteGreat topic to think about. Both sides do have their pros and cons. I always thought that private schools were somehow better than public pertaining to the education but after reading your article it seems like both schools provide the same levels of education. But I still believe that if the parents have the money for private schools they should try and get their child into one but if they don't have the money than public schools are perfectly fine.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it, there aren't too many differences between a public and private institution; however, there are still some varying elements between the two. Private institutions can put more emphasis on variables that aren't necessarily germane to an individual's education. Religion, for example, is one of the most common. They also don't have to follow a standard curriculum; which manifests into a skewing of numbers that makes their schools look more "prestigious" or "affluent." Public schools, though not always given the proper funding, follow a state enforced curriculum that ensures that every student is receiving a proper education. Private schools can also follow these guidelines, which they typically do, but they don't have to be as honest about it.
ReplyDeleteI think this makes a good point. A lot of people do think that since they are paying more for their child to go to school, they are going to be getting that higher education and more benefits. But to me, I really don't think that public and private school teaching really differs all that much. I previously had gone to a private school, and the only difference that I can think of, is the fact that we had to learn about our religion in addition to everything else. I don't think that there should be such a price difference between the two, but I guess that's the families choice whether they do that or not. Good topic though!
ReplyDeleteI think that when it comes to general education, elementary through to high school, public schools work best. That is when more generalized teaching is going on and students are all learning basically the same things. However, I think private schools work better when it comes to more advanced education, like college. Private schools allow for more flexibility and specialization, and I think that is much more important when you are at the end of your education and preparing to get a job in the real world. However, the downside of private schools is that they are way more expensive, and oftentimes, the extra cost does not equate to a better education.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to think about private schools since I have grown up in public schools my whole life. I feel like I am still getting a great education in a public school system. Sometimes I think it depends where you live and what public and private schools offer. For example, if you go to school in a major city and the education is not very advanced one might want to look into going to a private school or moving to a different town. However in most areas the public education is just as advanced as the private schools if not better.
ReplyDeleteI think just the labels of "private" and "public" are a big reason to drive parents to put their kids in a specific type of school. As mark mentioned there isn't that much on an educational difference, on average. Obviously some private schools are great, but some public schools are. I think there is a demand for a private education just to have it, not because it might be better and to avoid sending their kids to a "public" school. It seems more based on wants, rather than the quality, and people put up with the prices for it.
ReplyDeleteThough you have a lot of counter argument for each school, It all depends on where you live. Even in our own state of Wisconsin Pewaukee High School is still nicer than a lot of private schools in Milwaukee; that is only 20 min away from us. And even thoughs private schools are nicer than public schools of MPS. You see it depends on the families that live around the schools. If families in a suburb make more money (on average) the government is going to put higher taxes to have nicer schools because those families can afford them, and vis versa when it comes to the city where it tends not to be not as nice. Though you can argue for both schools in the end it's just a tie.
ReplyDeleteMany might think that private schools are better because they are named “private”. I think that there are advantages to both private and public schools. Private schools might be more expensive but they offer more hands on help for the students and I feel like people in private schools are closer. Public schools are bigger and might not offer as much help but they I feel that students who attend public school are gaining the full high school experience. Public school is where everyone in the community goes and I think that is generally brings the community more together. Students at public schools feel more a sense of pride and ownership towards their school. Even though some might think that public schools are worse than private schools I disagree and I think that they are better.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to school private schooling that is not on a college level is almost pointless. While for a college it is much better because of the ability to get a much more specialized education. A private school is more often than not going to be more expensive. Just because the school cost more does not mean that the the education is of a better quality.
ReplyDeleteI have actually gone to both public and private schools and honestly private schools do provide a higher level of education. Like you said private schools can create their own curriculum and standards and from personal experience in a private school that bar is set very high, but that higher level of education does cause students to score better on standard tests. The fact of lower education standards in public schools may relate to what you said about public schools being funded by the government and more subjective to political and public shortfalls (much like the common core that the government is inflicting upon schools). However the sad truth is not everyone can afford private schools and it is unfortunate that most public schools do not receive as much money to create as high of a standard of teaching.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a little ridiculous to spend thousands of dollars to send your kindergartener to private school. I know private schools teach in a different way, but I do not think the benefit outweighs the cost of private school. In Pewaukee, we are lucky to have great facilities and live in a very nice area, even though not all public schools are this lucky. I also believe that public education is a better way to prepare for the real world because you are associated with people from lots of different backgrounds, especially in schools like MPS. Public education has other things to offer, and I am glad to have been in public schooling my whole life so my family and I can put the money saved towards college expenses.
ReplyDeleteWhile there are many pros and cons to public schools and private schools I think that public schools are far better. As stated in the post, just because a school is a private school does not mean they hire better teachers in all cases. With the added costs of private schools you can get just as good of an education in public schools and not have to pay a fee. In the case of colleges I believe this to be even truer because all colleges have admission processes so you will be among high quality peers no matter what and public schools are also in most cases better known than private schools. It helps your case if you are from a well known school rather than one no one knows of. With that said and the fact that it is so much easier to pay to go to college at a public school I believe public schools in general are better.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the only reason I think there is even a voucher debate for private schools is because states like ours want to spite the separation of church and state clause in the constitution by making private institutions, which are allowed to be religious, affordable with government money, which otherwise would not be possible to use for a religious application. The quality of education does not differ nearly enough to make vouchers viable or important to improve test scores or college admissions. Besides, public schools tend to be more representative of more than one demographic, making them better to prepare a child for the real world. Private schools are fine, but they certainly don't deserve any government money. Public schools are the way to go in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think that public schools are not a bad option at all, especially for families that are looking to save money and at the same time want their kids to get a good education. After reading the post, it seems that the biggest difference between the two options is price. From many of the topics covered such as teaching quality and curriculum, both have the same amount of strengths and weaknesses. I don’t believe that there is this huge gap in teaching quality in the schools. Public school teachers are not better or worse than private school teachers. I have never gone to a private school here in America, but I have many friends who do go to private schools and they never complain about which one is better. It all comes down to personal and families preference. Good post.
ReplyDeletePublic vs. Private schools is one of the most talked about controversies since Edward vs. Jacob. I don’t think it makes you better when you go to a private school and I don’t think it makes you stupid if you go to a public school. If your parents can afford to send you to private school, then by all means go. But public and private schools have the same overall curriculum if you think about. The only difference is private schools have a little more flexibility with their curriculum, while public has to follow a certain guideline. But private schools and public schools are meant to educate students. So I think people should focus more on that then on how much money they are willing to pay so their child can get that education.
ReplyDeletePersonally, even though I've never gone to a private school, I believe that the quality of the school is the most important factor when it comes to a child’s education—not whether the school is private or public. I’ve only gone to public school’s my whole life, but I started in a public school that’s quality of education and teachers weren’t always the greatest and they weren’t always given the necessary funds to care for kids. I’ve had friends who’ve gone to public school and say they feel the subjects we learn in public school’s is much more useful than what they might learn in private schools. Overall, I think it depends on the quality of the school and how well funded it is. There’s always going to be other extranalities that will have to be considered, but I don’t have an opinion on which type of school is better.
ReplyDeleteBefore I came to a public school I was in a private school and the big difference between the two is, obviously the cost, and the class sizes. In a public school, your class size is much greater than private. At my private school, I had a class of 20 total. That's not a lot, but there really was no difference in the teaching styles. It would be interesting know how the money from the public schools and money from the private schools effect the economy. To private schools help the economy more or do public schools?
ReplyDeleteTo relate this post to the economy, with the recession that we are in people do not have as much extra money laying around as they used to. Because of this, it is a possibility that when looking at the last few years there would be a drop in the amount of student who attend private schools and an increase in students that attend public schools. If I am correct, when the economy picks up again, we would see more students attending private schools. Also, if the private schools are increasing their prices due to the recession, that would also account for a lower enrollment rate.
ReplyDeleteEducation is an education regardless if it is private or public but public schools offer more benefits than private. Between the amount of students and new facilities public schools have, some private kids never get to experience these aspects. The ridiculous amount of money parents are paying just to send their child to a private school seems pointless. College is expensive enough, save all the money for then. Public schools like Pewaukee create a real world environment. The large amount of students and activities illustrate what the world is really like. Private schools are usually smaller which make the transition for school to college harder. I am glad my parents chose to give me public education, I feel more prepared for when I leave Pewaukee.
ReplyDeleteI can relate this to colleges, since both my brother and sister were or are in college. Both of them went to a private school, which was more expensive than any of the public UW schools. However, because of scholarships, my sister barely paid anything at all. Also, they both got into their desired school without much problem. Although private school are selective, it isn't as much so as most people think.
ReplyDeleteHaving been at both public and private high schools, I can personally attest between the two that both offer different accommodations. Public schools are usually bigger, cheaper, and quite often have more classes to offer. However, Private schools offer many classes that public schools would never think to offer, they're smaller so more 1 on 1 teaching and help can occur. Both play a role in the economy as far as what they give to students, what they do to help prepare them for the real world, what they do to help students become the best they can be. I would be partial to private schools only because I liked that environment much more, but everyone is obviously entitled to their opinions. I'm also going to a private college because no public school would be sufficient in teaching me what I want to learn (becoming a worship pastor) which goes back to before when I mentioned public schools limit themselves severely in some categories as to where private schools will offer anything and everything they have the size and room for.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see the actual data of the 24% of parents that are rethinking their child's education source; are public schools looking toward private or are private schools looking toward public--or both? Either way, the debate between education really comes down to individual circumstances. There are certain parts in the country where it may not be very safe for a student to attend the public school. Conversely, there are plenty of non-private institutions that provide an equal--if not better--education experience at a fraction of the cost. No matter what, it is simply a personal choice.
ReplyDeleteBoth public and private schools have upsides and down sides but private schools tend to be pretty expensive where as with public school you don't have to pay other than taxes and the occasional fee for extra curricular activities. So because the teaching quality is close to the same why not choose the much cheaper option?
ReplyDeleteThis goes the same for colleges, whether they are public or private. I am personally going to a private college and they are paying for almost all of my schooling. They may be more expensive and more selective but I got in and got $28,000 in grants to pay my way through college. It is a very hard decision to decide where to go. Its cool to think that even if you may want to go to a private school, you can easily get accepted into a public school for less.
ReplyDeletePrivate verses private high schools could be a test between the parents who choose where their children should go based on the circumstances. Private schools tend to be more one on one teaching, are a lot more expensive and tend to be much smaller than the average public school. Most students would rather have more of a diverse campus and be able to experience new things, while at a private school there isn't much to offer as to extra curricular activities. Also, while many students don't have a choice as to which school they go to it's because of the current and past years recession that has been going on. This recession is not leaving much money at all laying around for families to pay top knotch schools for an education that might hold their children back in the long run. Overall the education that a parent chooses for their child is a personal choice, and will always be a parents personal choice.
ReplyDeletePublic schools to me always sounded more educated and highly brought up, but now that I think of it, both public and private schools basically have the same education. Parents just have to pay around that $17,000 mark every year for tuition. It would be pretty hard for parents to keep up with paying for private school and then college after.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of private school i don't think of the kind of school that accepts and denies students or costs a lot of money. Whenever I hear private school it makes me think of church's that have their own schools. It would be interesting to see how they compare to public schools in the respect of teaching and facilities. But it does seem like it you apply yourself in a public school you can get as good as an education as a private school. I feel like it's more up to the students to decide to apply themselves, not the teachers. It is because of some of the students that don't try that public schools get their bad name. It isn't the teachers fault but the students. It would also be interesting to see the difference in pay between the two.
ReplyDeleteAs you laid out for us, Mark, the pros and cons of both private and public schools are very close which makes that decision harder for some parents. For my parents, the decision was easy when I was younger and was in a private school. For middle and high school however, I was in a public school. As a student who has been in both environments I can say that they are very different but both offer great things in different ways. The bigger population at public schools helps the economy just as much as the private tuitions coming in from the smaller population but the classes provided, teaching and help, atmosphere, and other factors make the two types of programs very distinct. I think it all comes down to personal preference because both are benefits to the economy. I can understand why more families decide to go with public schools because they’re more popular and there’s no tuition but for some families, like mine and others out there, private schools sometimes seem to fit better for the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Mark. I think that a lot of people think that a private education is a lot better than a public education, but in reality there usually the same. Like you said though, the main difference is just more in tuition, for usually the same level of education. Even with college. College is expensive enough as it is and to go to a public college it’s a lot more, like Carroll compared to Milwaukee. In the end each student will learn the same material, and probably work for the same job.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you as well, private and public schools are almost the same level of education except for the fact that private schools cost more in tuition while in public schools you don't pay any tuition. High school really doesn't matter whether you go to public or private school because in the end those students who went to two different types of schools will end up in the same college after high school.
ReplyDeleteEducation is education, it's all the same. Between public school and private school, neither is better than the other. Some people might think that because private school is so much more expensive, the education level would be higher. However, that is not the case. Neither is better than the other, they are both pretty much the same except that public school doesn't require a tuition. So why wouldn't you choose the cheaper option?
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