Since you’re in the process of locating one of the top Private schools for your child or children, you’re likely aware of the benefits of a private School education. If you’re currently weighing your options, you may be interested in learning more about the benefits of top ranked private high schools.
The percentage of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade private schools in the United States is approximately 24%. These schools enroll 10% of the nation’s pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students. More and more parents are choosing private schools as an alternative to public schools.
Students that attend top private schools tend to score higher on SAT tests and graduate from high school. They are also more apt to apply to and complete their college education. One of the reasons for this is because private high schools provide a strong college-preparatory curriculum, which includes honors programs and other individualized enrichment opportunities.
Another reason why students tend to excel academically is due to smaller campuses, classrooms, and a lower student-to-teacher ratio. Roughly 86% of the existing private schools have less than 300 students, which is less than half the enrollment of most public schools.
There is a notable difference between the national average for public and private school SAT scores. Public high schools, for example, have the following average scores:
- Reading: 497
- Math: 514
- Writing: 489
Private high schools have the following average scores:
- Reading: 541
- Math: 579
- Writing: 550
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) provides data on the number of students that applied to college. While 57% of public high school students applied to college, 88% of private high school students did so. It’s possible that the lower application rates for some public school students is due to insufficient SAT scores, low GPAs, and otherwise not receiving the necessary academic support to succeed scholastically.
In the fall of 2011, private schools graduated 98% of the 12th graders that had been enrolled by October 1, 2010. Given the 305,842 students that graduated from private high schools, approximately 64% began attending a 4-year college in the fall of 2011.
The Fraser Institute’s 2007 study showed that 91% of the parent participants chose private rather than public school due to teacher dedication. Safety was also an important consideration, and 72% of the parents strongly agreed that their child’s school was safe. Their private school’s academic standards were also important, of course, and 80% of the parents stated that they were happy with these.
If your child was previously enrolled in public schools, you will notice a significant difference when you enroll them in a private school. In addition to encouraging more parent involvement, top private schools also stress the importance of creating well-rounded individuals that are prepared to continue their education and enter a meaningful career.
