The Pros and Cons of Public, Private, and Homeschooling

One of the biggest challenges you will face as a parent is deciding where to send your child to school. Oftentimes, schools compete with one another, each claiming to be "better" than the next school down the block. But choosing a school for your child is not about choosing The Best School: It is about choosing the best school for your child.

In order to find the school that fits your child's unique needs, you will want to consider a number of factors, including the school's character, classrooms and instructors. Your choice of schools may factor into other important decisions in your family's life, such as where to live. This information in this guide can help enable your family to make these decisions.

Let's start where education usually begins: with the A-B-C's. In this case, these represent your Area, your Budget, and your Child.

Your location has a big influence on the educational options available to you, no matter what option you choose.

• Public schools
  In most areas, your child will go to school based on district boundaries. Most school system websites will offer maps that show where your child will go to school based on where you live, although some school districts use a lottery.
  
  Local realtors are also usually skilled at helping you find the connection between the house you want to buy or rent and the school you want your child to attend. Keep in mind that homes in areas with more desirable schools often come with a larger price tag. However, in some communities all the public schools are good.
  
  Also note that not all school districts are created equal. Some districts allow for greater flexibility in choosing a public school within the school system or have magnet schools that focus on specific areas of instruction such as the arts or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) courses. These magnet schools generally allow students to attend regardless of residencies. However, they may also have waiting lists. Check with your local school district for more information about the process of school selection in your area.

• Charter Schools
  Charter schools are still funded under the public school umbrella and so are free to attend. But they usually offer different approaches to education, such as a classical focus, smaller class sizes or more integration of technology. These schools generally have a more open acceptance policy that is not tied to your residency. However, many also have waiting lists or select their students from a lottery pool, so you will need to check out these schools as early as possible.

• Private schools
  The private schools in your area likely include secular private schools, parochial schools and independent religious schools. Depending on what you're looking for, these options may provide a better fit for your family's long-term goals.

• Homeschooling
  Homeschooling is the most portable choice because you take the school staff-yourself-with you. However, homeschool laws do vary from state to state. If you are not sure how to find those, the Home School Legal Defense Association is a good place to start You may also want to search for homeschool support groups and group classes offered in your area.

A major factor in any educational decision is what you can afford. Public schools are generally the cheapest option for most families, though you may still incur costs for school supplies, certain field trips, extracurricular activities and, possibly, uniforms. Most public schools also offer free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs that can help trim the food budget for low-income families.

Another low-cost option is homeschooling. Costs for homeschooling will vary according to the approach you use, but this is generally an affordable option for families with a parent who is available to teach or coordinate instruction from outside sources. However, this may mean that one spouse has to switch to part-time work, begin a home-based business, or give up paid work altogether.

Private schools are generally an expensive option and involve not only the cost of tuition, but also the expense for uniforms sports equipment, musical instruments and field trips. You'll generally need to contribute work hours to the school as well. However, these expenses can pay off for some families in the long run in the form of greater help with college scholarships and networking connections. Many private schools also offer financial aid and scholarships.

The most important consideration of all is your child. Consider your child's personality and his or her natural gifts and interests. Would your child perform better in a smaller class or can he hold his own in a traditional classroom? Do your child's natural learning gifts indicate that she would benefit from more accelerated instruction? Or does she demonstrate physical or learning challenges that could be addressed better in a situation tailored to her needs? Is he discouraged by standardized testing? Is she most interested in sports, the arts, STEM fields, or learning a trade?

The table below approximates the average annual cost for different types of school, including school supplies and fundraising (time or money).

Begin by setting aside your assumptions and prejudices and approaching the search with an open mind. It is natural to be influenced by the way you were brought up and the situations you experienced. Perhaps your memories of attending public or private school were traumatic or maybe they are some of the most treasured memories of your life. Don't assume all schools will provide the same experience you had.

Don't discount private schools automatically because you assume students there will be snobbish or reject homeschooling because you think that your child will be too isolated. In the same vein, don't overlook what public schools have to offer.

• Traditional public schools - schools maintained through taxpayer dollars that are free to all children in the community. Some public schools offer art, band, orchestra, PE, theatre, gardening and cooking classes in addition to academic courses.
• Magnet schools- usually provide a focus on a certain subject area such as the arts or STEM fields.
• Charter schools - usually operate under a separate management structure and different rules from other public schools, allowing for greater flexibility and innovation in educational approach and curriculum.
• Early college high schools - usually operate in conjunction with a local community college to offer a program that combines earning a high school diploma and an associate degree in college over a five-year period.
• Alternative schools - some school districts offer smaller alternative schools that use non-traditional teaching methods to cater to the educational needs of a specialized group of students, such as gifted students, those with physical or learning disabilities or students with a track record of disciplinary problems.

Private schools include secular and religious schools, boarding schools, and schools for girls or boys only. Be aware that, because these schools usually do not operate with state or federal funding, they are not required to take everyone who applies.

These schools tend to be quite expensive, but offer some benefits public schools cannot, such as smaller class size, greater flexibility, and more individual attention. In addition, teachers do not have to "teach to the test." Often the entire staff is dedicated to helping students apply for college admission and scholarships. You can find private schools in your area at the the National Center for Education Statistic's Private School Search.

• Parochial schools
  These schools are associated with a religious order or organization, such as the Roman Catholic church. They generally have a strong focus on discipline, traditional values and the faith teachings of their organization. The National Parochial Schools Association may help you find parochial schools in your area.
• Independent religious schools
  These schools are often associated with a specific church or religious group that has a say in the overall governance of the school, though some are community-based and operate under a board of directors. They usually use a faith-based curriculum in their teaching and have a strong focus on character development and traditional values. This website provides information on Christian schools, while these sites offer information on Jewish and Islamic schools.
• Classical schools
  Some parents are harkening back to the advantages of a strong classical education focused on developing logic and rhetoric skills and teaching Latin in order to build a stronger English vocabulary. You can find out more from the Association of Classical and Christian Schools.
• Special needs schools
  If your child has a special need or disability, you may be able to find a school that would provide the perfect fit. A good place to start is with the National Association of Private Special Education Centers.
• Gender-based schools
  The core belief of these schools is that students, especially in the middle and high school years, will focus more on their studies if they are separated by gender. The University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) offers pros and cons of single-sex educational environments based on psychological research.
• Boarding schools
  These schools provide room and board for your child and are usually academically rigorous. However, this is an expensive option and necessarily separates your child from your protection and direct influence.
• Montessori schools
  The Montessori approach is based on the whole child and focuses on allowing young children a great deal of freedom within a carefully prepared and supervised environment. Many Montessori classrooms cater to mixed age students ranging from ages 2 ½ to 6.

The Montessori Foundation describes the typical classroom as the domain of children, rather than the adults in charge. Students move freely about the classroom and choose "work that captures their interest." This method is supposed to enable children, even young children, to become responsible for their own environment.

If none of these options seem right for your family, you may want to consider something non-traditional. With homeschooling, you have a wide variety of approaches to choose from. Be sure to check the homeschool laws in your state as the definition of legal homeschooling varies.

• Homeschooling by a parent or grandparent
  Parents and, increasingly, grandparents instruct their families at home using a number of resources.

• Homeschooling using a provider
  Some states allow for children to be homeschooled with another family or using a professional teacher or tutor hired to instruct children in their homes.

• Homeschooling through a co-op
  Some families combine to homeschool children together through an organized community. Classical Conversations is one such organization that is gaining momentum throughout the United States.

• Homeschooling under the oversight of a private school or organization
  If you are not comfortable designing lesson plans and keeping academic records, there are organizations that can help provide a framework of education for a fee. Calvert Education offers an excellent secular option.

• Virtual public schools
  Many states now offer a free online option that will allow your child to take public school courses at home.

Now that you know what factors to consider, here are some tips on where to get the information you need to make your decision.

If you are considering elementary school, it is important that you get a chance to look at the room that will provide your child's learning environment for the coming year. A classroom's appearance can tell you a great deal about the philosophy of a school, its budget priorities, and how passionately a teacher feels about teaching.

• How much room is in the classroom? Is there space for movement? Or do children crowd and easily distract one another?
• Where does the teacher sit? Does she have a clear view of what is happening?
• Does the classroom allow for natural light, or does it seem more like a cave?
• How are the desks organized? Are they in rows, as for a lecture? Or are they arranged in circles, for small group activities? Are there toys for creative play?
• Is the classroom clean and attractive? Are the bulletin boards decorated in a manner that enhances learning?
• Are there computers?
• Does the room have chalkboards? Whiteboards? Or digital whiteboards (sometimes known as smartboards)? This may provide an indicator of how recently equipment has been updated.
• Is the information on the walls accurate and up to date? If the maps still contain the U.S.S.R and a divided Germany, it suggests the school has budget issues.
• Is there adequate storage space for your child's belongings?
• Would you feel comfortable spending YOUR day there?

Not all students learn at the same rate or in the same way, but all students deserve to learn. Differentiation refers to the practice of teaching in a variety of different ways best suited to each student's learning needs. This is an important aspect to consider, particularly if your child is gifted, has autism, behavioral issues or other developmental or learning disabilities.

Some schools strive for inclusion and expect a teacher to address the needs of multiple levels of students within one classroom by adjusting assignments for students who need greater help or more challenges. Some may separate these students for all or part of the day to spend more time addressing individual needs.

You may want to consider how schools handle these issues at the macro level. Are teachers provided enough training to make them aware of individual situations? Is there an anti-bullying policy in place? Are they also given training on how to address specific needs? Is there a specialist at the school who can provide the proper testing and assessment so that you know what unique learning challenges your child faces?

Children with ADHD & The Classroom What to look for in a classroom if your child has ADHD

• Look for signs of organization and structure.
• Look for visual cues and reminders for students.
• Look for signs that the classroom instruction is varied and interactive.
• Look for a smaller class size and student to teacher ratio.
• If you are able to observe the teacher, look for patience, kindness, and a sense of humor.

RESOURCE LINKS FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH ADHD

• Information and research links from the CDC
• Links for learning and education
• The National Resource on ADHD

If you make the decision to send your child to a boarding school, you have even more to consider because this school will now become your child's home as well. The definition of "classroom" may also vary, according to the boarding school. For instance, some boarding schools focus on outdoor activities, so the school grounds become a classroom. Others have a global focus in which the students travel extensively and partner with other schools as they go. For these students, the world itself is a classroom.

As a parent, you need to approach the search for a boarding school with these questions in mind:

• What kind of structure and governance does the school have?
• How well are students supervised?
• Are students allowed the freedom and resources to follow academic and artistic passions?
• Are students expected to do chores?
• How great is the level of academic and social pressure?
• What opportunities for social and cultural learning does the school provide?
• How often can parents call? Can students call parents whenever they wish? Are parents encouraged to visit?
• Who offers encouragement and emotional support to the students?
• Do the values taught at this school differ widely from your own?

Because military families are often uprooted, the search for a new school may be a nearly continual process. If you are in this situation, here are some tips to consider in order to make school transitions easier for your kids.

• Research your options as far in advance as possible.
• Keep school records, vaccination records, achievement test results and report cards together in one binder or scanned into one computer file.
• Have your child's current teacher write a letter to the new teacher—even if the identity of that teacher is unknown. The letter can reflect details about what the student has covered so far, what subjects the child excels at or struggles with, and pointers about ways to motivate the child to succeed. This letter can give a new teacher a jumpstart on helping the child transition into a new classroom.
• If possible, talk with your child's new teacher before the move. If you can, introduce the child and teacher to one another through a Skype call or some other method of communication.
• Consider other options. Homeschooling is becoming popular with military families because the teacher and curriculum travel with the child.

ONLINE RESOURCES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

• Operation Dandelion Kids
  Provides tool to help families provide educational continuity for their kids.

• Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission
  Help for families experiencing educational transition issues.

• Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
  U.S. Department of Defense site providing information about the Interstate Compact.

• Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) Military Families
  A site that provides information for the growing number of military families who choose to homeschool.

• Military Spouse
  An online magazine that deals with educational and other issues affecting military families.

• Military Child Education Coalition
  Provides an online community for people interested in helped kids of military personnel or veterans.

• SchoolQuest
  A website designed to ease school transitions for military families.

• Homeschooling is growing at a rate of two to eight percent a year. In 2002, there were an estimated 1,096,000 homeschooled students in the United States. Now, that number is likely well over 2 million.
• Homeschooling saves taxpayers over $20 billion a year.
• The average homeschooled student scores noticeably higher than public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests, regardless of the parent's level of income or education.
• In independent research, homeschooled students typically scored above average on measures of social, emotional and psychological development, including aspects of peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem.

ONLINE RESOURCES ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING:

• Home School Legal Defense Association
• National Home Education Research Institute
• Research Facts on Homeschooling
• Homeschool.com
• The Old Schoolhouse Magazine