Public vs Private Schools
More than ever before, parents are focused on providing the best education possible to their
children. Competition for good colleges has increased over the past few decades and
acceptance is no longer a guarantee. Therefore, parents often begin to think about education
options before their children even reach school age. More home buyers are using the local
schools as a primary consideration in choosing a new home. With all the debate about public
vs private schools, how do you know which option provides the best education for your child?
We have many wonderful schools in the Cincinnati area; both public and private. Finding a
home located within a desirable school district can add thousands to the home value,
regardless of whether you have school-aged children or not. For instance, the Indian Hill High
School always ranks high for local public schools and home prices reflect this. On the other
hand, there are also a wide variety of quality private schools, such as the Seven Hills School.
Choosing a private school widens the sphere of acceptable neighborhoods that we can search
for your new home.
Making this crucial decision requires dedicated research. Understanding the local options,
teacher qualifications, academic programs as well as extra-curricular activities and
opportunities must be thought through with your specific child in mind. One option is to invest
in a school consultant, who will collect and help you navigate the information received.
Another great tool is an online service, such as School Scout, which gathers information on
local school options and gives users the ability to view the options available locally.
Public Schools
♦ Teachers have higher qualifications: On average, public school teachers have higher educational qualifications than those of private schools. Not only must they pass state certifications, but they are more likely to have master’s degrees and had more hours of training, than those in private schools.
♦ Stronger focus on core subjects: Public schools focus on the basics for more hours each week than private schools.
♦ Wider option of activities: Public schools have more money to spend on extra activities. They can offer theater, arts, music as well as a vast array of sports teams which private schools might not have the money or student population to include.
♦ More diverse student population: Private school is expensive and often out-of-reach for many students. Public schools will have students from more economic backgrounds, providing a more diverse environment.
Private Schools
♦ Smaller classrooms: On average, the private school student to teacher ratio is far smaller than a public school. Typically, a private school will have a 9:1 teacher ratio vs
the 25:1 for public schools.
♦ Strong parent involvement: Private schools not only encourage but rely on parent involvement. Parents spending hard-earned money on their child’s education tend to be more invested and concerned about the education itself.
♦ Less red tape: Private schools are not required to follow certain state guidelines and rules. As a result, they can make quick decisions based on a child’s unique need. They
can also spend more time and resources on the education of the students.