Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
When people hear “private school,” chances are one other word comes to mind: expensive.
Admittedly, when comparing public and private schools, it’s hard to ignore the price tag when one is essentially free and the other isn’t.
Of course with college tuition costs rising each year, many parents are looking for the best educational opportunities to give their children every advantage possible when it comes to competition for scholarships and admissions.
Other parents worry less about college and more about whether or not their child will be prepared for real-world experiences. For these purposes and others, many turn to private school.
Here are three reasons why it’s worth every penny.
Individualized attention
One advantage of private school education is smaller class sizes. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, private schools have a lower student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for greater access to instructors and higher paced learning.
In a smaller class setting, it’s less likely that students will fall through the cracks or be overlooked. The Condition of Education 2002 noted that “placing students in small groups tends to foster close working relationships between teachers and students, thus enhancing learning, particularly among at-risk students and those in the early grades.”
Higher test scores
That higher-paced learning and individualized attention pay off when it comes to test-taking. Private school students tend to have higher test scores than their public school counterparts, according to the Council for American Private Education.
Within many private schools there are opportunities for students to challenge themselves even further, which may also contribute to better test performance.
For example, the average ACT score for students at Juan Diego Catholic High School was four points higher than the Utah average in 2018, but students enrolled in the more rigorous Academy and AP courses at Juan Diego boasted ACT scores that were eight points higher than the state average.
Real-world learning opportunities
Apart from getting your child ready for college, private schools look to prepare them for their future by providing real-world opportunities in a safe and secure learning environment.
Because private schools are not at the mercy of state funding, they are able to provide unique learning experiences specific to students’ interests and talents.
Students at Juan Diego have access to multiple computer labs, sports facilities, well-stocked libraries, and even a full TV production studio. The school believes that using technology in the classroom, providing internship opportunities and fostering leadership are all keys to a successful future for their students.
Freedom of choice
Ultimately, whether or not private school is a worthwhile experience depends largely on your child’s individual needs and what they want to get out of it.
If you’d like to learn more about what private school has to offer, consider scheduling a tour of Juan Diego Catholic High School.
The 2018 winner of Utah’s Best in State for Private School K-12, Juan Diego Catholic High School is a private high school affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. From academics and values, to the arts and athletics, Juan Diego Catholic Schools provide an environment and community where students of all backgrounds excel.
Juan Diego is part of a 57-acre campus which also includes Saint John the Baptist Elementary and Middle Schools. Tours are encouraged and are available upon request.
