How To Choose a School for Your Child

Parents and caregivers who are fortunate enough to have a choice in their child’s schooling may feel overwhelmed by the choices. There are public schools, private schools, and sometimes even charter schools. So how does a parent or caregiver make this choice? Which of these options results in the best outcome for students?

The type of school your child attends may not matter as much as you would think.

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Private Schools versus Public Schools

About 10 percent of children in the United States attend private school, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Yet, private school requires a significant investment for most families, so many parents wonder if private school is worth the cost. How does a private school education really compare to a public school education?

Attending a private school is indeed associated with many advantages, including enhanced academic performance, improved social skills, more positive psychological adjustment, and enhanced long-term success, yet this effect seems to disappear when controlling for family factors (such as family income). In other words, the advantages associated with private schools are likely related to wealthier and more educated parents being more likely to send their children to private school rather than the private school itself. Previous research also finds that when low-income public school students are given “vouchers” to attend private schools, their academic achievement seems to decline, although this effect may depend on the quality of the private school. In addition, observational research finds no differences in the quality of instruction, teacher-student interaction, or overall emotional climate between public and private school classrooms.

Charter Schools versus Typical Public Schools

Some school districts also provide charter schools, presenting parents and caregivers with yet another option to consider. Charter schools are public schools that are independently operated. Charter schools can often follow a specialized curriculum that is individualized to their students. Parents must apply to these schools as they would with a private school, yet they do not need to pay tuition to attend the school. Charter schools serve about 5 percent of public school students in the United States.

Research finds that students in charter schools show little difference in terms of academic performance when compared to children in typical public schools Research also indicates that teachers in charter schools tend to be less experienced, less likely to be credentialed, and less likely to have an advanced degree when compared to teachers in typical public schools. However, some research finds that charter schools are associated with other positive outcomes, such as better attendance, improved behavior, and increased rates of high school graduation and college attendance.

In summary, there is currently little evidence that private schools or charter schools in general provide a significant advantage to children. However, it is very important to remember that this research examines the impacts of private schools and charter schools on average so does not address whether your particular local private or charter school is superior to your local public school. It also does not address whether a particular school is a fit for your individual child. When making a school choice for your child, you should critically evaluate all available options and make the choice that you believe to be best based on the quality of schools in your region, your family’s individual situation and values, and your child’s unique needs.