Should you send your child to the local public school or the private school that it is a bit further away?
It seems a simple question, but there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration. Firstly your child’s social life. Where are the other children in your area going to school? If your child is the only one in the area not going to a particular school they may find it difficult to make friends near home.
If you expect your child to eventually go to a particular private high school it might be better to enrol him in a private elementary school that knows the entrance requirements necessary and will be able to ensure that you child is as well prepared as possible.
Class sizes – a private school will almost always have smaller classes, which means that your child will be able to receive more individual attention than in a more crowded classroom.
I f you choose a private school it is likely that you will be motivated towards giving your child the best education that you possibly can – and the same goes for other parents who make this choice.
It may be that you follow a particular religion and want your child brought up in the faith. A faith school will be able to help your child’s spiritual development as well as his intellectual growth, whereas in a public school there is an absence of the religious aspect.
Your child is likely to be more academically challenged in a private school. And also be exposed to a positive value system and in fact feel more secure.
If you think you are likely to choose a private school do your research as early as possible to ensure that your child has the best possible chance to attend the school of your choice. And whichever you choose give your child as much support as possible, without putting undue pressure on them – a tightrope every parent walks.