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Why attend an independent private
school? The reasons cited over and over again by
the families who send their children to private
schools include individual attention, small classes,
teacher excellence, and high academic standards. But
the main motive for families looking into independent
private schools can be summarized in one word:
Quality. These families want their children to be part
of an educational community with high expectations
of every student.They want, quite simply, the best for
their sons and daughters.
The National Educational Longitudinal Study
(NELS), conducted by the U.S. Department of
Education, confirms what independent school families
have known for years: larger percentages of students
in independent schools are enrolled in advanced
courses. In addition, independent school students do
twice as much homework as their counterparts;
watch only two thirds as much television; are significantly
more likely to participate in varsity or intramural
sports; and are more likely to agree that students
and teachers get along well, discipline is fair, and
teaching is good.With results like these, it is not surprising
that independent school enrollments are
increasing at double the rate of all other schools in
this country.
 A decision to consider an independent school is
just the beginning. Students and parents must choose
the right school from the hundreds available. While
many schools set high standards and emphasize values,
they are wonderfully distinct from each other.
There are day and boarding schools; coeducational,
girls', and boys' schools. Enrollment varies from a few
dozen to a few thousand students. Some independent
schools are centuries old, others just ten years old;
some are progressive, others more traditional in
structure. Various schools also serve a varying range
of students in terms of abilities and interests. Some
schools offer special programs such as intensified
instruction in the fine and performing arts, experiential learning projects, or travel abroad seminars. Many
schools excel at rigorous intellectual preparation; others
are dedicated to average learners; and some specialize
in teaching bright students with learning disabilities.
Let's Get Started!
Before visiting their first school, students should
sit down with their parents and determine their
"ideal" educational community. Is it small or large?
Traditional or progressive? Coeducational or single-sex?
A day school or a boarding school? What special
programs (arts, sports, computers) does it offer? Is a
diverse school community important? Does the student
have special needs or interests. Create a "wish
list," then go back and prioritize each item.
Remember, this is just a starting point. You can amend
the list as you move through the selection process.
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