There’s so many different decisions we have to make for our children throughout their lives, and sometimes it’s hard to know which choices will give our children the best chances in life. To make one of your choices a little bit easier, we’ve put together this list of pros and cons of public vs. private preschool.
PROS
Public
1. Free
One of the greatest advantages of sending your child to public school is that it’s completely free. Public schools even offer free transportation.
2. Diverse
Public schools tend to be more diverse than private schools due to being more easily accessible for the majority of people.
3. Certified Teachers
Public schools require all of their teachers to be state certified, and undergo background checks before they are hired.
Private
1. Small Class Sizes
Private schools offer smaller class sizes, typically averaging no more than 10 students per teacher. Smaller class sizes means more one on one time with each student.
2. Adaptive
Private school teachers have more freedom to help a student express their individuality by adapting the curriculum to meet their specific needs.
3. Happier Teachers
Overall, private school teachers tend to be happier. They get more of a say over how they teach, and they get to spend more time getting to know each student and building a bond with them.
CONS
Public
1. Large Class Sizes
Public school teachers usually teach a class of around 16 students, and depending on your state, it could even be double that. With that many students, teachers don’t have the time to spend with each individual student, leaving children that need special attention without many options.
2. Set Curriculum
All of the public schools in your area will be using the same curriculum, so your preschooler will be receiving the same education as every other student. You might be thinking this belongs on the pro list, but if you were a gifted preschooler stuck learning a curriculum that does nothing for your mind, you’d feel differently.
3. Tenure Law
Tenure laws keep teachers from unjustly losing their jobs, which is great for those amazing teachers that truly give their all to educating children. However, not all teachers are equal, and this law can sometimes keep a teacher in their position for much longer than they deserve to be.
Private
1. Expensive
Private education comes at a cost. Sometimes a pretty high one. On top of paying a monthly tuition you may be asked to pay for other things such as:
- School uniforms
- Books
- Field trips
2. Enrollment Standards
Private schools often have enrollment standards, and aren’t required to admit every child. They may turn a child down simply due to not having enough room in the class, or for various other reasons of their choosing.
3. More Pressure
Private schools can put more pressure on children academically, socially, and emotionally. Even in preschool, expectations may be higher in private school than in public school.
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