A Look At Different Types Of Private Schools

Private School (Photo credit: mikecogh)

by Karina Andrews

Once you have made the decision to send your child to a private school you will discover that there are many to choose from.

In fact, as many as 25% of all elementary schools, as well as secondary ones, are listed as private schools in the United States.

This could leave you wondering which school to trust with your child's education.

There are different types of private or independent, such as Catholic schools or other religious, day and boarding, and so on. Understanding the differences can make choosing a bit easier.

Is there a difference between private schools and independent ones? This is a good question, because the terms are very often used interchangeably, which can cause confusion, because they are actually different.

In most cases this that are private are part of a bigger organization, such as a church, for example. The Catholic schools would fall into this category. On the other hand, schools that are considered to be independent are not, and have their own governing body or trustees. Both the private and independent obtain funding through donors and sundry fees.

A day school is also sometimes referred to as a country day school and they are also private. The schools are invariably situated in the country or in the suburbs. The kids attend classes during the day.

A boarding school provides accommodation for its students. Boarding schools and residential are different in that kids attending the latter reside at the school during the week, but return home for the weekends.

Kids with special needs can attend a special needs school. Some cater for kids with either learning or physical disabilities, but others address emotional needs as well. Then there are those that cater for kids who want to focus primarily on one particular talent, so that it can be honed. If this is the kind of school you want to enrol your child in, you will need to be specific about what you are requiring.

Military schools are also available and ideal for kids that fancy a future in the military. There thirty of them in the U.S. so you are sure to find the best one for your child. These are usually boarding school that focus a lot on leadership, discipline, and team building.

For those that wish to pursue their faith and religious convictions, a religious school, such as Catholic schools for Catholic kids, would be the answer. Your child will be schooled in the tenets of the religion, the beliefs, and practices.

Some are very strict while others are more relaxed. Sometimes Catholic schools are referred to as parochial schools and there are many to choose from. They are funded by the Church, donations, and through fundraising events.

Other kinds of schools that are considered private or independent would include Montessori and Waldorf schools. Both of these kinds of schools have a different way of approaching education, with greater emphasis placed on certain aspects.

For instance, at a Montessori school, students are encouraged to be independent and individual. The classes are not age restrictive, there are no grades, rewards, punishments, and so on. At Waldorf kids are encouraged to explore their imagination. Music, the arts, and language all play a major role and, as with Montessori schools, there are no grades.

Check out a great catholic schools, and their WhichSchool. For more information visit their website http://www.whichschoolmag.com.au

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