Are you thinking of sending your elementary school aged child to private school but not sure if it’s worth it? Private school tuition is expensive and a major consideration for many families. After all, your child will be learning to read and count in elementary school so is it really worth it to pay private school tuition for the ABCs? Delaying private school enrollment can save families a lot in tuition expense. For example, tuition at elite private schools in New York Metro area are in the $40,000 a year range. That means deferring private school enrollment to middle school will add up to almost a quarter of a million dollars in savings! Because of the hefty price tag at private schools, many families do decide to wait until middle school or high school before they move their child to private school. So is private school worth it for elementary school?
Is it Worth It to Send Your Child to Private School for Elementary School?
The answer to whether private school is worth it for elementary school will depend on your child’s personality if he/she will benefit from the private school environment. As a mom with 2 kids in private school, I think the main advantages of private schools are 1.) smaller class size, 2.)more personalized attention, 3.) better social dynamics and 4.) child centered teaching style. Let’s examine below what type of kids will benefit from these school environment to understand if it’s worth it to send your elementary school child to private school.
Private School is Worth It for the Small Class Size
For some elementary school kids, the small class size makes private school worth it. Private schools have smaller class sizes and better student to teacher ratio. Studies have shown that young children in elementary school do benefit from the small class size. In private schools, the small class size means teachers are able to devote more time to each child and managing the class requires less time. That means private school teachers are spending their time teaching kids rather than managing kids. While in public schools where class sizes are bigger sometimes 20-25 kids in one class can create high stress level for the teacher. Instead of focusing on teaching, public school teachers are focused on managing the classroom, making sure the trouble makers are not causing trouble. As a result, the classroom is not a safe and nurturing environment. An example of this was when my kindergarten son (who was enrolled in public school at that time) had a potty accident because the teacher did not allow him to use the bathroom. The incident did not foster a nurturing and safe classroom environment. It was traumatic and embarrassing for a 5 year old boy to experience. While private schools with smaller class sizes will give your child that nurturing classroom environment. That will translate to happy kids who love to learn which I think is worth the private school tuition!
Private School is Worth It if Your Child Needs Personalized Attention
Private school is worth it if your child needs personalized attention. Private school teachers have more time to give personalized attention to help each child reach their maximum potential. For example, you may have a child who gets bored easily or needs a little more help with doing their school work, the private school teacher will have time to pay attention to each child to figure out why a child is bored (maybe they need to be challenged) and why a child needs more help with getting work done. My son who was in public school was always getting in trouble. We decided to move him to private school and it was one of the best decisions we ever made. The teacher was able to figure out the reason why my son was a trouble maker and now he is a happy, thriving student who loves going to school everyday. The personalized attention my son received made private school worth it.
Private School is Worth It if You Have a Shy Child
Private school is worth it if you have a shy child. Teachers have more time to pay attention to the shy child encouraging your child to raise her hand and to be engaged in the class discussion. Plus the small class size makes it less intimidating making it a safer environment for your shy child to participate in. While if you have a shy child in public school, chances are your child will be a “wallpaper.” He/she will be ignored. The teacher will not have the bandwidth to work on your shy child to encourage your child to share her thoughts. In fact, your shy child may actually be afraid to speak up at school because he/she may be afraid to get on the teacher’s radar. If your child is on the shy side, it is definitely worth it to send your child to private school during the elementary school years.
If you have a shy child, check out an article I wrote about why I send my daughter who is quiet and shy to private school: 5 Reasons Why Private School is Better for Shy Kids
Private School is Worth It for the Balanced Class
Private schools can decide who they admit to their school, that means they have control over class mix- the gender ratios and personality types in the class. As a result, the social dynamics in private school classes are more balanced. Most children will thrive better in a balanced classroom environment. While in public schools, there is no control over enrollment so as a result your child’s class may be randomly mixed. Imagine if your daughter is placed in a classroom full of high energy boys? Your daughter will not get the attention she deserves, chances are the teacher is too busy managing the boisterous boys and your daughter will have limited options in terms of making friends with other girls since it is a boy heavy class. For some kids, a balanced classroom makes private school worth it in the elementary school years.
Private School is Worth It for the Child Centered Teaching
The child centered teaching style of private school teachers makes it to pay private school tuition. Public school teachers with their hands full managing big classes tend to lean heavily on independent work. Kids are asked to read or listen quietly on devices and to do worksheets in class. The teaching style at public schools also tends to be more lecture style because that is easiest for big classes. However, that teaching style is not conducive to young elementary school aged children. It may be acceptable in the middle school and high school but to teach lecture style and do a lot of independent work is not ideal for young children. While in private schools, the teachers teaches in a more child-centered way where students are learning by doing projects, collaborating with others and having small breakout groups. As a result, learning at private schools are more fun and interactive. For a young child in elementary school that is important. You want your child to love going to school and to have fun learning. Cultivating that love for learning makes private school worth it in the elementary school years.
Conclusion: Private School is worth it in Elementary School
Private school is worth it for elementary school if your child is shy, needs personalized attention and if you want to give your child the love of learning. If you have the means, I think sending your child to private school for elementary school is worth it. In my family, I have two kids in private school. I moved my son from public school to private school during elementary school and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. So yes, I think private school is worth it for elementary school.
