Tips formaking the switch frompublic to private school
Parents have many different reasons for sending their children to private schools. Switching from public schools to private schools can require a significant emotional and social adjustment on the part of students and their families.
Class size
Class size plays a significant role when parents decide to send their children to private school. According to Noodle, an online education search and rating resource, public school classes may include 20 students or more, with some even as large as 34 students at full capacity. Private schools tend to have much smaller class sizes and a smaller teacher-to-student ratio. This can translate into more individualized attention for each student. It also may mean heightened scrutiny, which is something students may quickly discover and not be accustomed to from their public school days.
Students who thrive with more frequent teacher feedback may like the change to private school. Others who prefer not being in the spotlight may need more time to adjust.
Take a tour and get involved
Familiarizing oneself with the school can make the first day of school that much easier. Most schools will offer tours for prospective new families; otherwise, parents can reach out to the administration to schedule private walk-through’s. Some private schools also pair up potential new students with current student ambassadors to provide a students’ perspective, which can be very helpful.
Families also can attend school-sanctioned functions, volunteer for parent-teacher association committees or encourage students join sports teams or extracurricular clubs early on to help with making friends.
Be open to change
Many private schools do not have to conform to state- or province-sanctioned curriculums. This can come as a shock to students who were working on a certain math or language arts program at their previous schools. Other changes to expect may be uniforms, religious-based foundations and classes, and less leniency when rules are broken. Some schools also may be male-only or female-only. These issues can be discussed before the first day of school. Keeping an openmind and getting the support of parents can help students navigate the transition from public to private school.