When it comes to private elementary schools, California has some of the most expensive in the country. For parents who want the best possible education for their children, the choice between a private school and a public school can be difficult. To help make this decision, it is important to understand the costs associated with both types of schools. The most significant cost of sending your children to public school is the property taxes you pay to support the school system.
Private school students are also required to pay these taxes, as are those without children. In addition, you should compare the cost of nearby districts, and then compare the difference to the cost of private schools near you. The first costs you are likely to encounter in your search for a private school in the Bay Area are admission costs. Look at private school prices in your area, as well as housing costs in neighborhoods with good public schools.
To calculate the cost of a good public school, you should compare the cost of neighborhoods associated with that school with the cost of nearby neighborhoods in other school districts. When it comes to teachers, private schools have a much smaller percentage of black teachers than public or charter schools. According to NCES, only 3% of private school teachers are black compared to 7% of public school teachers and 10% of charter school teachers. Private schools also tend to have smaller class sizes than public schools. NCES shows that the average class size was only 16.6 in public high schools and 16.3 in public high schools. Private school students are also less likely to see hate-related graffiti at school, be called by a hate-related name, or be bullied at school.
In addition, if your child is interested in a particular sport or activity, a public school is more likely to offer a club or program to support it than a private school. The exception to this rule is private schools that specialize in specific activities, such as art or music. Finally, when it comes to academic performance, private school students who take AP classes don't always perform better than their peers in public schools. However, children with disabilities, including physical, developmental, and learning disabilities, tend to do better in public schools than in private schools. For parents who want the best possible education for their children, understanding the costs associated with both types of schools is essential. Most schools would like parents to participate 100% in the fund's annual call, as it makes it easier for schools to obtain grants and other sources of funding.
If your local elementary school is great but the high school isn't, you can send your children to a public school through sixth grade before moving them to a private school.
