Private Schools in a Minute gives you quick private school facts and stats at a glance. Click on the links for the detail you ant and need.
Admissions
Getting into a private school involves interviewing and testing. The most common private school admissions tests are the SSAT and ISEE. Roman Catholic high schools generally use the COOP, HSPT and TACHS as their standardized admissions tests.
Admissions Deadlines
Middle and end of January is when most schools set their admissions deadlines. Many schools have rolling deadlines. Keep on top of the school choice process with this handy calendar.
Alternative Schools
Alternative schools offer troubled teens a boarding school setting where they can learn to cope with a variety of emotional and other issues.
Curriculum
Private schools set their own admission and graduation requirements which generally meet or exceed state requirements. Emphasis in most college prep schools is on the IB and AP programs.
Early Education
The most popular early education genre is the Montessori school. Waldorf or Steiner schools offer another early education approach. What is the difference between a Montessori and a Waldorf school? The answer can be found here.
Elitism
Private schools had a reputation for being elitist decades ago. That's pretty much changed. Most schools pride themselves on being diverse communities.
Free Schools
While most schools charge tuition for their services, a few schools are tuition-free.
Financial Aid
Most private schools offer financial aid which typically ranges from small scholarships and grants to full tuition. Always ask about financial aid. How Can I Pay for a Private School Education? offers other options.
'Independent' vs 'Private' Schools
An independent school and a private school are essentially the same thing, i.e., a non-public entity.
The Meaning of 'Prep'
'Prep' is short for 'preparatory'. A prep school's mission is to prepare its graduates for college.
Number of Private Schools
There are approximately 30,600 K-12 private schools in the United States.
Number of Private School Students
Projected private school enrollment for 2007 is 6.6 million students. NCES projects an enrollment for 2015 of 6.9 million students.
The Oldest American Private School
Collegiate School in New York City is the oldest private school. It was founded in 1628.
Ranking Schools
Each private school is unique. Therefore, private schools are impossible to compare apples to apples. Ranking private schools is a futile exercise. Finding the right school is all about finding the right fit.
Religious Schools
There are religious schools covering just about every religion you can think of. Jewish schools can be found here. Other denominations here.
Schools for Every Need
There are private schools catering to just about every need: learning differences, ADD/ADHD, military, sports and the arts.
Single Sex Schools
Most schools are co-educational, but single-sex schools are enjoying renewed popularity. There are approximately 400 boys' and girls' schools.
Vouchers
Vouchers are an initiative in certain states to provide school choice for parents with limited financial means. Parents with money have educational choices; those without money do not have those same options. That is the gist of voucher programs.
Which part of the country has the most schools?
The northeastern states have the most private schools. They are also home to a large number of the over 300 boarding schools in North America.
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