The future of a child depends on a lot on the type of experience they have in school. Have you been wondering if a smaller or private school would be a better experience for your child? It’s a decision almost every parent has to make. Every parent wonders if their child would perform better in a more catered learning environment. It’s a natural question to ask because parents tend to want only the very best for their children.
While some children do amazingly well in large public schools, many would perform better and feel more comfortable in a school where they can get to know everyone. However, it’s not just the lower student density that makes a smaller private school worth-while.
There are many different benefits that small private schools provide, including the quality of education and attention each student receives during their lessons and even after school. It can truly make a significant difference and help guide children to the best future possible. Today we’re here to look at six primary benefits students get while attending a small private school.
Enough Teacher to Go Around
Public schools, by their nature, will have a lot of students. Classrooms of 30-40 are not uncommon, and one teacher will be in charge of teaching the class. In terms of teacher time, that translates to simply no way to provide personal instruction to every child in classes that large. It is not easy to keep a classroom filled with so many children under control and engaged.
Smaller private schools can afford to have a much better student-teacher ratio. Rather than overpacking classrooms, each class has precisely as many students as the teachers can effectively teach. In some instances, the number of students will be lower to provide students with more teacher time. While many teachers can effectively manage larger classrooms, it does leave little time for one-to-one student attention.
During a child’s formative years, one-to-one attention from a teacher can make a world of difference in a child’s ability to learn. Every child learns at a different rate, and in public schools with lots of children, the pace of learning is very variable. Sometimes it will be too slow for confident kids, and other times it’ll be too fast. However, it’s much easier to cater to the child’s learning speed with smaller classrooms by giving more one-to-one attention.
Another advantage of having a better student to teacher ratio encourages more questions. In a large classroom, teachers will sometimes have to deal with multiple questions and continue the lesson. It can mean that sometimes a question goes unanswered. It’s also much less intimidating for students to ask a question if there aren’t many other students in the room.
While many people argue that universities have even worse student-to-teach ratios, university students are more capable. The student-to-teacher rate matters a lot more during the schooling stage because they are in their formative learning years.
One on One Tutoring and Guidance
Keeping on the subject of one-on-one time, many students require at least a few minutes a week to understand the more difficult concepts in their lessons. In a private school, not only are classrooms friendlier to one-on-one instruction, but there are also more opportunities for individual tutoring and guidance. Whether your child would benefit more from regular sessions or the occasional help with a tough week’s topic, a private school is more prepared to help.
Public school teachers would also love to provide students with one on one guidance. However, sometimes the situation in individual public schools is that there are too many students. The teacher won’t be able to give each sufficient one-on-one guidance. These sessions encourage students to address any complex questions that they might have regarding the subject matter. For students asking questions is one of the best ways to learn.
In a private school environment, it’s much easier for teachers to guide students. When there are tons of students, it’s easier for children to get distracted and lost in the sea. A child’s early years play a crucial role in helping form their future. Getting the proper guidance through the early years mean that the children will develop the necessary work ethic to succeed.
Every child is different, and one-on-one tutoring will give private school teachers a greater chance to understand their needs. Once the teachers manage to develop an understanding of what the student needs, they can teach better. Developing this Understanding takes time, and teachers in public schools cannot afford to give each student the same amount of time.
Students can Pursue Unique Projects
Private schools are also well known for allowing students to express themselves in a way they never could in a crowded public school. Your child can get truly creative with classroom projects. They will have access to the highest quality resources. In this situation, children can pursue their interests and even start building essential skills for their future careers because they have the freedom to explore.
While public schools let their students engage in projects and provide specific resources, private schools offer much greater access. Every school has a certain amount of resources, and it can difficult to find free research material in public schools. However, private schools have a smaller student body, and the resources get much better use.
Additionally, thanks to the student-teacher ratio, teachers can offer high levels of guidance on these projects. They present a great learning opportunity for students to dive into a subject. These unique projects can turn out to be a truly special learning opportunity with the right resources and guidance. While there’s a significant role that teachers have to play, individual learning is also fundamental. Projects encourage individual learning as students have the opportunity to grow an interest in a subject.
However, it cannot be easy to feel any motivation towards a project without access to the necessary resources. Private schools are the perfect opportunity for students to engage in projects that interest them. If you want your child to have the best independent learning opportunities, private schools are ideal.
These projects are also important for letting children express themselves. In private schools, students have a more significant opportunity to pursue individual projects. While group projects are a great way to interact and learn, personal projects are more significant opportunities for students to express themselves.
Special Programs Don’t Fill Up
A lot of schools tend to offer special programs that require students to sign. These programs include subjects like Robotics, Game Design, Debate, Crime Scene Investigation, Music, and many more interesting subjects.
In public schools though, children have to go through a lot more competition to make these programs. There are a few spots on the program and multiple students will have to compete However, when your child is in a small private school, the special programs are usually available for any student interested in joining. This can create diverse learning opportunities and one-of-a-kind school experiences your child might otherwise miss out on.
These programs are also an excellent way for your child to interact with other children. The clubs cater to different interests, and it can bring children that share those interests. Many children feel excluded from the activities they enjoy in public schools because there isn’t enough space. However, the size of the student body in private schools means that more positions will be available in the programs.
Extra-curricular activities are crucial in helping develop a child’s educational resume. Traditional schooling isn’t the only thing that matters anymore, and these programs can help children develop their talents. University admissions are getting more competitive than ever before, and participation in programs matter.
School can get stressful for children, and that stress can often turn negative if left unaddressed. These programs are a great way to help children release tension in a safe environment. They also help create a sense of inclusion that’s key to help students grow and want to go to school.
Not only can these programs help students boost their academic profile, but they can also help students stay out of trouble. One of the biggest reasons students tend to get into trouble is because they don’t have enough stimulation. Not finding enough inspiration at school will mean that the child will eventually stop wanting to go to school.
No Student Can ‘Slip Through the Cracks’
One of the biggest risks of public schools is that some kids are allowed to ‘slip through the cracks.’ Perhaps they are quiet, sit at the back of the class, or teachers somehow never have time to help them. As a result, their grades can slip, and they end up floating through school without learning any essential skills.
This lack of attention can have a significant impact on the child’s future. Naturally, this issue occurs in public schools. Regardless of how good the teachers are when there are too many students, it isn’t easy to keep a keen eye on them. Naturally, students that excel are going to take up the brunt of the teacher’s attention. In comparison, those that do not do as well often tend to go unnoticed and neglected.
But this kind of tragic lack of attention is impossible in a private school. When each class is small and personal, teachers can keep in touch with every student’s progress. It’s very easy for children to get distracted and feel unmotivated at school. Aside from parents, teachers are the other adults that play a key role in forming a child’s future.
Even if the student gets distracted and does experience a drop in their private schools’ performance, teachers can address the problems and issues. It’s easier to form more meaningful relationships with students and guide them through times of trouble. No students’ issues will go unnoticed and put their future at risk.
A Circle of Friends You Can Keep Track Of
Finally, one serious benefit of private schools for parents is the chance to know all the friends your child makes. You can go one further and even develop relationships with their parents. A smaller school has a more close-knit academic community. As there aren’t a thousand other children, it’s easier to keep track of who your child is friends with and what they get up to after school.
While it’s important for every parent to respect their children’s privacy knowing their friends is crucial. Children are easily influenced and can get into some troubling situations. However, it’ll be easier for parents to trust their children if they know their friends and parents.
It’s also great for shy children. The sheer amount of numbers in a public school will seem daunting to certain children. It can be difficult to make friends if the environment seems intimidating. However, private schools tend to have smaller student bodies, giving the children a better opportunity to get to know one another.
Many students tend to get lost in the sea of bodies in a public school. It’s very easy to go unnoticed and not make any friends. Groups tend to form very quickly in the school, and it can be not easy to make yourself a part of an already existing group. However, in a smaller student body, it’s easier for students to interact with one another and avoid the formation of cliques.
A small private school could be the best thing you do for your child’s development and education. These formative years are very important for children, and private schools’ attention will let more children thrive.
Even children that do well in public school, a private school will provide greater opportunities for special projects and classes, more skill-training, and a more productive learning environment for every student that attends. It’s easy for students to get lost in the thousands of children that attend public schools. However, private schools have a greater opportunity to cater to the individual needs of a child.
The proper guidance is crucial in guiding children to excelling in school. For more information about what a small private school can do for you and your child, contact us today!