Why Are Private Schools So Expensive?

A private school is financially supported by a private organisation or individuals rather than by the government. This is the main reason why private schools are so expensive.

Why Are Private Schools So Expensive?

Private schools are so expensive because they are funded by private organisations and individuals, unlike public schools which are funded by the government. Private schools are also more expensive since they are willing to invest in the best equipment and hire teachers with outstanding credentials.

Private schools are not charitable organisations nor do they receive any external funding. As a result, private schools get the majority of their funding from parents in the form of tuition. A small portion of the funding also comes in the form of donations from wealthy families.

Schools are expensive to run regardless of whether they are public or private. There are a plethora of expenses in operating a school that is unfathomable to someone from the outside. Maintaining a school costs a lot more than looking after a house or office.

Private schools have a lower student to teacher ratio when compared to public schools. This results in smaller class sizes and more individual attention given to each student in a private school. However, it also leads to the private school administration having to hire more teachers which further amplifies the cost.

Another reason why private schools are so expensive is that they are willing to invest in the best equipment and infrastructure possible.

Parents want their children to have access to good facilities and the private schools deliver by equipping the computer and science labs with the latest apparatus, stocking the gym with high-quality equipment, furnishing the library with awesome books, and keeping the campus in tip-top condition.

Many parents are happy to pay a little more in tuition fees if they can outsource the extracurricular home training to the school staff. They would be overjoyed if the school took care of grooming their children, teaching them proper etiquette, helping them learn an additional language, and training them to produce exemplary piano performances and lead the regional sports team.

Private schools often have better teachers than their public school counterparts. This is because private schools are willing to hire teachers with outstanding credentials and also invest in good counsellors and sports coaches.

Furthermore, private schools provide may also provide tutoring services and extra support from teachers. This can be extremely useful to a wide range of students particularly those with special needs such as learning disabilities.

Are you rich if you go to a Private School?

You are most likely rich or in the upper-middle class of your society if you go to a private school. Private schools are generally unaffordable for most members of society. A small minority of students manage to get scholarships and are able to go to a private school without being rich.

Public schools are funded by the taxpayers’ money and it costs parents almost nothing to send their children to these schools. Since there are no costs involved, students from various socioeconomic backgrounds attend public schools.

On the other hand, private schools are mostly funded by tuition fees. The tuition fees for private schools is several thousand dollars a year. At more expensive private schools this amount can rapidly increase to tens of thousands of dollars a year. As you can guess only parents from the upper echelons of society can pay such exorbitant amounts for their children’s school fees.

A small percentage of students manage to study in a private school on the basis of some generous scholarships. If you are able to demonstrate financial need or prove you are an exceptionally capable student then your chances of getting a scholarship can drastically increase.

Why are Private Schools Better?

Private schools are better than public schools because they have a more involved administrative staff, provide high-quality facilities and equipment, hire teachers with superior credentials and training, impart a more enriched educational experience, and allow students better networking opportunities.

Private schools have to be better than public schools. Otherwise, nobody would pay such high tuition fees at private schools if they were on par with public schools.

Research suggests that students in private schools academically outperform their public school counterparts. The difference in standardized test scores between public and private students further highlights the educational disparity. This is the result of dedicated teachers, smaller class sizes, and more individual attention.

Private schools are known to have safer environments. This is due to a lower staff-to-student ratio which ensures more effective vigilance throughout the school building and grounds. Students are less likely to participate in unsafe behaviours if there is a strong communal spirit and civic responsibility.

Another factor that makes private schools better is the enriched educational experience they have on offer. Private schools present more than mere literacy.

Private schools have a broad spectrum of extracurricular activities which helps students take a much-needed break from their academics but learn a number of skills at the same time.

Moreover, private schools supply students with the tutoring to take part in Advanced Placement courses and the IB diploma programme which can give them an edge when applying to university.

Increased parental participation is another great benefit private schools offer. Private schools multiply parental involvement by organising parent-teacher meetings, family dinners, family excursions, and family game nights.

The school administration gives parents a larger role in governing their child’s future by taking their opinions into consideration before making major decisions.

Are there Private Schools that aren’t Religious?

There are quite a few private schools that are not religious. These schools are not based on any particular religion and are open to people from multiple faiths. However, a large number of private schools are religion-oriented and studying religion is part of their curriculum.

Several parents want their children to study and follow the religion they practice themselves. This can be seen by a large number of faith-based Catholic, Protestant, and Islamic private schools. Such parents want their children to associate with like-minded students who take their religion seriously.

However, not all private schools are religion-based. Many private schools are open to people from multiple faiths. They believe in diversity and feel students interacting with people from different faiths will make them more open-minded and accepting.

What does it mean if you go to a Private School?

Going to a private school usually means you are a privileged member of your society. It means you will have greater advantages over public school students such as richer networking opportunities, a safer learning environment, and better teachers. It is up to you to make full use of the benefits a private school offers.

Most private school students come from the leadership class of society. Their parents often have influential roles in society since they often have large inheritances, highly successful careers, or a prosperous business.

As a result, the private school-going children are shielded from many of the problems people face in their everyday lives. For instance, they may not need to worry about not paying their bills on time or being evicted.

The relatively safe and balanced home and school environment provide private students with many advantages over their public school counterparts. These benefits translate into higher standardized test scores and college enrollment rates.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that enrolling your child in a private school is an expensive venture. However, there is a clear difference between the education standards of a private school vs a public school. This disparity is even more pronounced in poorer neighbourhoods and impoverished countries.