Why Are Private Schools Successful?

The last time the Department of Education took a close look at private schools was in 2002. While that sounds like a long time ago, not much has changed as far as the report's findings are concerned. Private Schools: A Brief Portrait is a solid impartial look at private schools.

Some of the key attributes of private schools are as follows:

-Close-knit communities
-Individualized attention for students
-Supportive learning environments
-High-quality and committed teachers
-Hands-on learning opportunities
-Educational experiences beyond the classroom
-Actively engaged parents

A U.S. Department of Education study shows that independent schools are on the right track by placing such a strong emphasis on small school and class size. The Condition of Education 2002 suggests that small and intermediate—sized schools and relatively small classes, like those commonly found in independent schools, have advantages, often leading to higher achievement for students.

Key findings of the report include:

-Teachers at independent schools report having significant influence on teaching practices and school policies.
-Teachers at independent schools report being satisfied with teaching at their school.
-A majority of teachers at independent schools express positive opinions about their school head and their school’s leadership.
-Independent school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests.
-Independent high schools typically have more demanding graduation requirements than do public high schools.

The Secret To Private School Success

I attribute the success of private versus public schools to one very simple yet vitally important ingredient: the partnership every private school insists on between school, parent and child. When the three partners work together, good things happen. The child develops good learning habits which will last him a lifetime. The parents can see that their concerns and efforts are contributing to a good result. The school can deliver on its promise of providing the best possible instruction with optimal results.