You have made the decision to begin looking for a private school for the child. With 25 percent of all the elementary and secondary schools in the nation listed as private or independent, where would you start? A fantastic place to begin is knowing the various kinds of private schools.
Even though"private college" and"independent school" are frequently used interchangeably the two are different. Typically a private school a part of a larger company such as a church or religious community. In comparison an independent school is only that, independent of different organizations with its own board of governors or trustees. What they have in common, is that both are financed with tuition, fees and donations.
Personal School Grade Levels
Most private colleges are divided by grade levels. Students in kindergarten through grade five attend a school, while people in grades six through eight go to a middle school. Junior high is a variation of that notion since is serves students in grades seven through nine. Private high schools are for students in grades nine through 12 or freshmen through seniors. College Prep are just that: schools with a heavy emphasis on professors that prepare a student to proceed to college.
Day or Country Day schools are private schools which students attend throughout the day and then go home at night. Usually Country Day Schools are located in the country or suburbs.
Boarding Schools
When many people think of a private school, they consider boarding schools. Even though only one kind of private school, boarding schools where students live in dorms or halls on campus, are the independent school portrayed in movies or books. A residential college, where students live on campus Monday through Friday or all week long, these institutions offer pupils a highly structured day with set times for classes meals, sports, research and recreation. Most American boarding schools are for students in high school. The con of going to a boarding school is being away from home and having the school and consultants making some daily decisions generally left to parents. Getting away from home is also an argument for traveling school since it allows students to exert their liberty and build confidence. Some parents also like the daily supervision their child will receive.
Special Needs Schools
Particular needs private colleges serve a wide array of students. Some are geared for those with learning or physical disabilities, but others concentrate on people that have psychological demands. Still others offer pupils that are incredibly bright an atmosphere where they can blossom or those who want to focus on one gift - a location where they can hone their skill. Searches for these sorts of associations are very specific and needs to be achieved with the needs of your child in your mind.
Single Sex / Coeducational Schools
At one time many private schools were single sex schools where boys went to college with boys women went to college with girls. That's all changed. Most private colleges are now co-educational with boys and girls going to school together. Some single sex colleges remain and many parents and educators are interested in this kind of program, especially for older pupils. According to some educational experts the only sex college create opportunities which don't exist at the coed classrooms as long as educators are educated to capitalize on the gap by employing strategies geared for girls in an all-girls school and people for boys in an all-boys college. Administrators and educators both believe the significant benefit of single sex schools is diminishing the joys to learning with a corresponding growth in student achievement. Educational research has shown the advantages of single sex colleges are greatest for at-risk students and a few ethnic minorities. More modest benefits are recognized for other pupils. In contrast many educators believe we live in a coed society and students need to understand how to socialize with each other.
Military Schools
Is your child dreaming of a military career? Then among the 30 military schools in the USA might be the ideal fit. This sort of private school, which are primarily boarding schools for people in grades nine and up, concentrate on team and personal discipline together with academic curriculum and technology. Schooling and patriotism are emphasized at these private schools. Many include a JROTC or Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and are a path to the Nation's military academies.
Religious or Parochial Private Schools
In case you've got a strong faith or desire your child to receive religious instruction, a religious school may be the right choice. Religious schools are supported by one faith and typically teach the tenets, philosophy and practices of the religion. Generally they also provide a strong academic program. Some religious schools are more relaxed, providing classes in world religion or doctrine instead of these about their religion. Others tend to be stricter, requiring students and households to become members of their faith, signing a profession of religion and adherence to its spiritual practices and beliefs. Catholic colleges are sometimes called parochial schools and are the most common type of spiritual school in the United States. But almost every faith has religious schools in this nation.
Montessori Schools
Based on the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, a medical doctor and educator, this type of private school works to educate the entire child in classrooms full of hands-on materials that stimulate students' perceptions and motor abilities. Emphasizing multiple-intelligences, Montessori schools encourage self-directed learning, independence and individuality. Students of various ages are mixed in classrooms with flexible, non-competitive environments and to few grades, rewards or punishments. Many Montessori programs in the U.S. are for elementary age kids.
Waldorf Schools
Emphasizing discovery and creativity as a basis of learning, Waldorf schools have been created by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and author. Steiner's doctrine, anthroposophy, says it to comprehend the universe a person must understand humanity . Stressing music, language and art along with traditional themes, Waldorf teachers encourage students' creativity in learning. According to a roomy, homelike classroom with a teacher who has progressed through the grades together, students may concentrate on one subject for as long as a month as they slowly learn all about it. Pupils often create their own toys and studying things within this kind of private college and are not graded on their job. Waldorf schools move from preschool through grade 12.