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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 free 15-minute 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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More about Variations Psychology

Variations Psychology is a group practice specializing in diagnostic testing to identify psychological conditions. Our primary focus is Educational Psychology, guiding families on beneficial pathways toward student success and training educators in effective strategies to maximize student potential. 

Our comprehensive evaluations test for conditions that impact mental health and development such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and developmental delays. 

In addition to diagnostic services, we offer Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) of K-12 students to assess needs for accommodations in school and determine their appropriate placements. IEEs provide an objective second opinion on existing IEP and 504 Plans.

For K-12 and post-secondary students, we offer evaluations to assess needs for accommodations on standardized tests, college entrance exams (e.g. - SAT, ACT, AP Exams), and graduate and professional licensing exams (e.g. - MCAT, LSAT, GRE, CBEST, NCLEX, GMAT, CA Cosmetology Exam, CA Contractors State Licensing Exam, CA Bar Exam). Schedule your free 15-minute consultation to learn how our diagnostic services can support you and your family. 

Variations Psychology is located in Newport Beach, CA and provides psychological testing to residents throughout Orange County and its surrounding areas including Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Irvine, Shady Canyon, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Coto de Caza, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Yorba Linda, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Pelican Hill, Crystal Cove, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, and more.

References:

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Chen, Grace. “What Is A Magnet School?” PublicSchoolReview.com, Public School Review, 5 Aug. 2019, www.publicschoolreview.com/amp/blog/what-is-a-magnet-school.

Johnson, Sarah. “Charter Schools vs. Public Schools.” WeHaveKids, 29 Apr. 2016,  wehavekids.com/education/Charter-Schools-vs-Public-Schools.

“Private Schools Pros and Cons.” Education Bug - a Complete Listing of Educational  Resources, www.educationbug.org/a/private-schools-pros-and-cons.html.

Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance. 14 Sept. 2015, www.publicschools.org/pros-cons-public-school-attendance/.

Rotherham, Andrew J. “Back-to-School Special: 5 Tips on Picking a Good School.”  Time, Time Inc., 4 Aug. 2011, www.content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2086809,00.html.

Shinn. M.M. (2018). Accommodations for College Entrance Exams: What Parents Need to Know. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/does-my-child-need-accommodations-for-the-sat-act

Shinn. M.M. (2019). How Do I Talk to My Teen About Drugs and Alcohol? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/how-do-i-talk-to-my-teen-about-drugs-and-alcohol

Shinn. M.M. (2018). Life Success: Is It About Persistence or Following Your Passion? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/life-success-is-it-about-persistence-or-following-your-passion

Shinn. M.M. (2019). My Kid is So Defiant – Is It My Fault? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-is-so-defiant-is-it-my-fault

Shinn. M.M. (2019). Which School is Best for My Kid? 12 Tips for Smart School Selection. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/which-school-is-best-for-my-kid-12-tips-for-smart-school-selection

Shinn. M.M. (2020). Understanding Education Plans: A Parent’s Guide to 504s and IEPs. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/understanding-education-plans-a-parents-guide-to-504s-and-ieps

“Single-Sex Schools: The Pros And Cons.” Google, Care.com, 22 Aug. 2019, 

www.google.com/amp/s/www.care.com/c/en-gb/stories/5373/single-sex-schools-the-pros-and-cons/amp/.

Teacher Trends () National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=28

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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/test-blog/public-private-charter-magnet-same-sex-a-parents-guide-to-pros-cons-of-school-types