Expert: Michael Wall Date: 11/5/2007 Subject: diffrence between private and public school
Question hello. I am a college student in Japan and majoring education. Then, I want to know the deiffernce between public school and private school. which is the best for children?
Answer Tatsuya,
Thank you for your question. In the United States system, public education is the set of learning opportunities that are run by a government, be it federal, state or local, and be it elementary (K-6), Secondary (6-12), or higher education. Private schools are run by independent interests, and not by the government. We have private schools on the elementary and secondary levels (also called independent schools, see www.nais.org), and many private colleges and universities (Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts,is a prime example.)
The question of which is better, public or private schools, is not a simple one, and I always answer that it depends on one's needs, what the local public schools are like, what (if any) private schools are available where you are (or where you are willing to go- boarding schools are some of the private options. See www.andover.edu for a wonderful example), and what you can afford.
Perhaps you want a strong math and science program for your child. Many public schools have strong programs in those areas. You may have additional factors, including wanting a low student-teacher ratio, a boarding school, a certain religious belief system, or a strong experience dealing with one type of disability. It is the specific combination of desires, a survey of what is available, and one's ability to pay that makes a final decision clear.
While some private schools do offer financial aid, generally the cost of private education is one factor that keeps people who might have wanted to, from sending their children.
