Public, Private, Charter, Magnet, & Same Sex: A Parent’s Guide to Pros & Cons of School Types
It can be daunting to weigh the pros & cons of schooling options. Each child is different and an academic environment that works for one may not be best for another. There’s no black and white answer to which school-type is best, but we’ve broken down the good & bad of common schooling options to help guide your decision.
What’s most important to you in a school? Graduation rates? Special education? Athletics? Check out our list & compare your priorities to our rundown:
1. Public School
Definition: Public schools are free, tax-supported schools that are controlled by local government.
Pros:
Provides free transportation
Offers afterschool programs
Teachers are state certified & are more likely to have a master’s degree than private school teachers
Schools are state accredited
Provides a variety of extra-curricular activities
Your child’s classmates will live close by
Offers special education services
Free to families (aside from occasional field trip or supply fees)
Cons:
School zone regulations can be strict, giving families few transfer options
May be underfunded, causing program cuts or inadequate school supplies
Prone to large class sizes
Heavily focused on standardized testing – an incomplete and sometimes biased indicator of a child’s abilities
Classes geared toward average abilities, often overlooking both gifted and struggling students
Kids may be exposed to behaviors or practices inconsistent with their family’s values, such as early sex education
2. Private School
Definition: A private school is funded and operated by private organizations or individuals, rather than the government.
Pros:
Smaller class sizes, creating more individualized attention
Curriculum is often more challenging
High-quality learning supplies, technology, and materials
Students tend to score higher on standardized tests
Higher graduation rates than public schools
Minority students at private schools are more likely to attend college
Some offer religious education, an important priority to many families
Often provides personalized college counseling programs
Campuses are generally safer due to selective screening processes
Cons:
High tuition costs
Teaching certificates are not required for teachers
State accreditation is optional (though many private schools electively seek it)
Less diverse student body, which can make students less prepared for diversity in the work force
Not required to offer special education services (though some choose to)
Difficult and competitive admission processes
If a parent enrolls their child in private school due to behavior or alcohol/drug problems, it often worsens their problem
Some of the pros, such as higher graduation rates, may be due to the selective admission process, rather than superior academics
Struggling to pick the best schooling option for your kid? Schedule your consultation to learn about our educational consulting services
3. Same-Sex Schools
Definition: A school that only admits either male or female students. Most experts agree that boys and girls learn differently; same-sex schools attempt to tailor education to suit the learning styles of either male or female students.
Pros of all-boy schools:
Boys tend to be more impulsive and energetic. An all-boy school can tailor instruction accordingly, such as incorporating movement in learning and frequently checking in to maintain attention & understanding
Boys generally mature later than girls. An all-boy environment boosts confidence by preventing them from being compared to female classmates
Boys are less concerned with gender stereotypes and more likely to participate in untraditional subjects like drama or choir
Environment tends to make boys less competitive and more collaborative
Pros of all-girl schools:
Girls are more likely to participate in extracurriculars and class discussions when they aren’t self-conscious about how boys perceive them
Puts less pressure on girls as they go through puberty
Studies show that boys are more disruptive in class; with less disruptions, girls can have less interruptions in their learning
Girls have higher involvement in sports since co-ed schools tend to pour more resources into male sports
Girls are empowered to excel in male dominated fields such as science and math
Cons of Same Sex Schools:
Don’t prepare kids for co-ed settings in the real world
Children are unable to develop healthy opposite-sex relationships
Less of an emphasis on respect and understanding of the opposite sex
Can reinforce gender stereotyping and feelings of gender inequality
Because the genders are not used to being intertwined, there is a heightened want to impress the other when they’re together
Can lead to unrealistic expectations on how men and women should look and act
No empirical evidence has shown societal benefits of same-sex education
4. Charter School
Definition: Charters are paid for with public dollars but are led by their own elected board members, making them public schools with private oversight. Charters operate under a contract agreeing to meet certain academic goals and in return receive exemptions from some government regulations. These exemptions allow the schools more freedom in teaching methods, as long as students meet the academic goals outlined in the charter.
Pros:
Smaller class sizes
Some research suggests that charters improve test scores of low-income students, reducing the achievement gap
Charter students are more likely to attend a 4-year college rather than a 2-year
Charter school students are twice as likely to take AP exams than peers at regular public schools
Charter students average higher SAT scores than public school students
Family-oriented atmosphere, as parental involvement is encouraged
Offers diverse teaching techniques
Schools are obligated under contract to meet certain performance standards
Less behavioral problems than traditional public schools
More flexibility to try new things and use hands-on learning
Gives families a free alternative to their assigned public school
Cons:
Transportation options are few to none, causing longer bus routes or requiring parents to drive
Often require parent volunteer hours which can be difficult for working parents
Less racial and economic diversity
Has more rigorous graduation criteria than public school, causing some students to require a 5th year to graduate
Fewer extra-curricular opportunities
Often receive less funding than regular public schools
Because charters are contract-bound, they run the risk of being closed if they don’t meet their criteria
Admissions can be biased, difficult, and are often lottery based
Some charters don’t accept special education students
5. Magnet School
Definition: Magnet schools are part of the local public-school system but usually have a unique focus such as STEM, the arts, or language immersion. While students are still taught a range of subjects, their curriculum is taught through the lens of the school theme. Like Charter schools, magnets provide a free public option with a more private school feel.
Pros:
Receives more funding than traditional public schools so they’re able to spend more on supplies, salaries, and programming
Smaller class sizes
Curriculum caters to a child’s passions & interests
Attracts a more diverse student body representing various neighborhoods rather than one zoned area
Students tend to surpass achievements they would have made at their assigned public school
Engaging, hands-on learning style
Known for high-quality faculty, as educators are paid higher and seniority is less of a priority than suitability to teach the magnet curricula
Cons:
The selection process can exclude kids with lower grades or behavior issues
Some say that magnet schools take away from other public schools by recruiting the brightest students
Low-income, non-native English-speaking students and special needs students are often underrepresented
Admissions can be biased, difficult, and are often lottery based
The takeaway
Choosing the best school for your kid is no easy task. With countless variables and your child’s unique needs, it can be helpful to get professional support to make a decision you feel great about. Our Educational Psychologists can evaluate your child’s gifts, challenges, and needs, and provide an expert opinion on the best schooling option to unlock their potential.
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How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn. M.M. (2020). TITLE. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/public-private-charter-magnet-same-sex-a-parents-guide-to-pros-cons-of-school-types