Too often, we take for granted our ability to read a bunch of scribbles on a page and understand them. For much of human history, the majority of the populace couldn’t even write their own name. Today, 87% of adults are literate, compared to 12% over 100 years ago.
Much of this is thanks to school options. Kids these days can go to all different types of schools, from their kinder years into their adulthood. Each school curriculum caters to the specific needs of that age group–and manages it depending on the goals of the governing institution.
Join us as we discuss all the main types of schools for kids of all ages. Then, you’ll be ready when finding a school for your little one.
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Types of Schools: Public Schools
Public schools are the bread and butter of any country on earth. These are government-funded organizations. Taxpayers’ dollars build the buildings, pay the teachers, and supply the textbooks.
Public schools are virtually free. Students usually have to pay for small things like their own books, meals, and school supplies. But in some states and cities, the public school system foots the bill for these things.
If you’re not sure how to choose a school, public schools make it easy: you can’t. Most public schools only serve students in a defined city or neighborhood. Any kids outside these borders must attend a different one.
Public School Benefits and Limitations
Granted, public schools are not the best schools–they can’t compare to this private school program. However, they are accessible to families of all incomes. Underprivileged and low-income families can send their kids to school at no additional cost–and regardless of the child’s academic performance.
Teachers at public schools often make some of the lowest salaries in the teaching profession. And to add insult to injury, they have the least amount of flexibility. The local school board decides their curriculum and rules of engagement–which also depends on some parental input.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are what many experts refer to as a hybrid schooling situation. They are a happy medium between a public and private school in toowoomba.
To open a charter school, you usually have a company or organization that petitions the government. This is the “charter” in charter school. If the government approves the application for charter status, then that organization gets the green light to open the school.
Anyone can attend a charter school, even underprivileged students. The education is entirely free, unlike private schools.
Charter schools tend to get a bit more generous funding, compared to public schools. This is because they receive a portion of their funding from private entities. Management is more up-close-and-personal, resulting in well-run institutions.
However, there is a bit more to this story.
Charter School Benefits and Limitations
There is one big asterisk with charter schools: the charter’s existence depends on performance. In other words, the school can only renew its charter if students meet the performance bar set by the government.
This means that a poorly-performing charter school could cease to exist at the end of its charter. So, the controlling institution pushes faculty hard to achieve those high standards.
One big benefit of charter schools is exclusivity. Parents must apply for their children, and acceptance is dependent on academic performance. Students who attend charter schools often benefit from a higher-quality education without distracting or misbehaving students.
Teachers also benefit. They can build their curriculums as they desire, and conduct classes according to taste. That said, they still have that heavy expectation of maximum-performing students.
Private Schools
Private schools are the creme de la creme of secondary education institutions. Rather than relying on taxpayer dollars, these schools charge tuition. In many cases, the tuition can be several thousand dollars per year.
Private schools can either be nonprofits (when run by a church, for example) or for-profits. In both cases, though, tuition is the main source of income.
Due to their private funding, private schools can afford to be more selective of students. While they do want to make money, they vet all incoming students. Students must often have a certain GPA and meet other requirements.
With private schools, students choose where to study. There are no arbitrary neighborhood boundaries like in other schools.
Private School Benefits and Limitations
When you send your kids to a private school, they get the best education. After all, you’re paying for it!
Teachers tend to be of higher quality here. They have smaller class sizes compared to public schools, meaning they are less overwhelmed. And, students often get better-funded classrooms, equipment, and field trips.
There is no government requirement for performance, nor a school-board-mandated curriculum. Private schools teach in the way that works best for them–teachers included. And since the parents are customers, that means they have much more sway in their child’s education options.
Unfortunately, this is the most limited option for underprivileged students. They simply cannot afford the education and must rely on charter or public schools. While charter schools are great, a nearby private school is not an option for a student from a low-income family.
Find the Right School for Your Child
There are all types of schools, enough that you have good options for your children. However, be aware that some of these schools may be out of your reach–such as costly private institutions. Public schools are the most affordable option, but charter schools are free if and only if your application gets accepted.
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