Private Schools Are Not Just For The Rich And Famous!

Are private schools elitist?

Want some private school 'urban legends'? How about:

• "Private schools are elitist."
• "Private schools are for kids from rich families only."
• "There's terrible pressure on private students to perform academically."

Now let's get busy debunking these widely held views!

"Private schools are elitist."   If by that you mean independent schools pick and choose who they will accept, then they probably could be called elitist. But not for the usual reasons. A private school will not accept applicants only from a certain social or economic strata. Decades ago you could have made a case that private schools were elitist. Read Preparing for Power: America's Elite Boarding Schools to see what I mean. No, nowadays, private schools are remarkably inclusive and try to accept applicants from every economic and social, even national, quarter.

"Private schools are for kids from rich families only."  I was interviewed on a Toronto radio talk show where the hostess tried to get me to agree with this statement. Of course, I disagree. It's all a matter of prioritizing. Private school fees are expensive. No doubt about that. But, human nature being what it is, where there's a will, there's a way. We parents will scrimp, save, sacrifice, work extra jobs, in short do anything we have to do to ensure that our children get the best possible education. For what Nancy and I spent on four private school educations, not to mention college, we could have had a new German car every year AND a trip to the Cotswalds each spring. But, the point is, we didn't believe that was a priority. Our children's education, giving them a head start in life, teaching them the value of hard work - these were things that mattered to us and many other parents. Nowadays most private schools offer substantial financial aid. Make a point of inquiring!

"There's terrible pressure on private students to perform academically."  In my little monograph What Kind of School Should We Choose? I make the point that a private school frequently can offer a complete package: academics, sports and social life all conveniently included. Is there pressure to succeed in this environment? You bet! More often the pressure is a self imposed set of goals which a child comes up with after realizing what he or she can achieve with a little hard work. Should parents push their children? I don't think it is a question of pushing. You have to know your child. You also have to achieve a clear understanding of what that child is capable of achieving. Remember: each child is different. No sense comparing siblings! As long as each one is doing the best he can, you can't ask any more.

So, private schools can accommodate your requirements more readily than public schools. There's going to be a school which will meet your needs. With over 29,000 private schools available and more opening every week, you have some wonderful alternatives to the 'one size fits all' approach which public education offers. Visit them virtually today!