Some families may have experience with private and independent schools; however, many only have experience with public schools. The two are different and if the private independent school experience is new to your family, here are some things you may wish to consider:
Independent versus private
Both private and independent schools operate outside governmental regulations and most private and independent schools belong to an accrediting entity, such as the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). Independent schools are governed by a board of trustees, not a public school board. Some private schools operate as part of a larger entity, such as a diocese, and therefore are not considered independent because for some decision-making and policies, they are governed by a larger organization and may not have as much flexibility as an independent school.
Vision
Independent and private schools may vary by the individual school’s vision. For example, some may be affiliated with a particular church or educational philosophy, so it is important to talk to the school about its vision. There is a right fit for every family considering a private independent educational experience.
College is the next step
Independent schools prepare students for success beyond graduation by helping them develop the skills they will need when they enter the colleges of their choice. Top independent schools offer a broad array of college level (AP) courses and often offer diploma distinction programs for students to demonstrate their commitment to achieve. Independent schools also offer the services of a dedicated college counselor to guide students through the preparation, selection, application and interview processes.
Funding and curriculum
Public schools and private schools have different visions and missions. Though both educate children, public schools must provide a broad array of services and ensure a basic level of student performance is met. They must meet standards which are governmentally established and monitored, and as such, public schools are very focused on curriculum and testing. Because independent schools are privately funded by tuition and philanthropic giving, they are autonomous from many government regulations, including standardized testing and curriculum. This is very important to independent schools because it gives them the freedom to design and to more nimbly modify their academic programs to fulfill their vision and to tailor programs to meet their students’ and community's needs.
Programs to stimulate student interest and achievement
Independent schools offer a broad educational experience and encourage students to follow their passions and perhaps develop new interests by participating in a variety of activities, including arts, athletics, community service, and opportunities outside of school. It is more usual to hear the words “try it” rather than “try out”. Independent schools encourage students to sign up, show up, have new experiences, develop new friendships, and perhaps step out of their comfort zones.
Parent partnership
Parents often select the school for their child because the school shares their educational and child development goals. Independent schools continue this “shared goals” partnership by encouraging, promoting, and cultivating a close partnership between parents/guardians and the school. Independent schools generally have open door policies and offer parents many opportunities to participate in their child’s educational experience. Parent involvement and parent philanthropy often results in increased support for student programs and experiences.
Diversity and inclusivity matter
Independent schools welcome and respect students from a variety of socio-economic strata, neighborhoods, cultures, religions, beliefs, identities, and nationalities. Schools with boarding programs are often home to students from different countries, offering new learning opportunities for both their international and domestic students. Most schools offer financial aid to further support an inclusive environment.
Teaching expertise and class size
Independent school faculty tend to have more specialized areas of expertise, making them more qualified to teach in their respective areas. Low student-teacher ratios and small class size encourage close connections between instructors and students, enabling more individualized attention and higher levels of classroom participation each day. In this environment, students are valued as individuals and their teachers challenge and encourage them to excel.
Close community and safety
With smaller student bodies, smaller class sizes, and all divisions from Early Childhood Programs through Grade 12 on the same campus, closer observation is more easily managed by trained and familiar faculty and staff. Independent schools also use visitor management systems and have restricted access to academic buildings to ensure safety; however a key ingredient to keeping a community safe is by knowing the individuals in it.
Learn more about the independent school advantage from the National Association of Independent Schools (portions of this page were adapted from this article).
Independent versus private
Both private and independent schools operate outside governmental regulations and most private and independent schools belong to an accrediting entity, such as the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). Independent schools are governed by a board of trustees, not a public school board. Some private schools operate as part of a larger entity, such as a diocese, and therefore are not considered independent because for some decision-making and policies, they are governed by a larger organization and may not have as much flexibility as an independent school.
Vision
Independent and private schools may vary by the individual school’s vision. For example, some may be affiliated with a particular church or educational philosophy, so it is important to talk to the school about its vision. There is a right fit for every family considering a private independent educational experience.
College is the next step
Independent schools prepare students for success beyond graduation by helping them develop the skills they will need when they enter the colleges of their choice. Top independent schools offer a broad array of college level (AP) courses and often offer diploma distinction programs for students to demonstrate their commitment to achieve. Independent schools also offer the services of a dedicated college counselor to guide students through the preparation, selection, application and interview processes.
Funding and curriculum
Public schools and private schools have different visions and missions. Though both educate children, public schools must provide a broad array of services and ensure a basic level of student performance is met. They must meet standards which are governmentally established and monitored, and as such, public schools are very focused on curriculum and testing. Because independent schools are privately funded by tuition and philanthropic giving, they are autonomous from many government regulations, including standardized testing and curriculum. This is very important to independent schools because it gives them the freedom to design and to more nimbly modify their academic programs to fulfill their vision and to tailor programs to meet their students’ and community's needs.
Programs to stimulate student interest and achievement
Independent schools offer a broad educational experience and encourage students to follow their passions and perhaps develop new interests by participating in a variety of activities, including arts, athletics, community service, and opportunities outside of school. It is more usual to hear the words “try it” rather than “try out”. Independent schools encourage students to sign up, show up, have new experiences, develop new friendships, and perhaps step out of their comfort zones.
Parent partnership
Parents often select the school for their child because the school shares their educational and child development goals. Independent schools continue this “shared goals” partnership by encouraging, promoting, and cultivating a close partnership between parents/guardians and the school. Independent schools generally have open door policies and offer parents many opportunities to participate in their child’s educational experience. Parent involvement and parent philanthropy often results in increased support for student programs and experiences.
Diversity and inclusivity matter
Independent schools welcome and respect students from a variety of socio-economic strata, neighborhoods, cultures, religions, beliefs, identities, and nationalities. Schools with boarding programs are often home to students from different countries, offering new learning opportunities for both their international and domestic students. Most schools offer financial aid to further support an inclusive environment.
Teaching expertise and class size
Independent school faculty tend to have more specialized areas of expertise, making them more qualified to teach in their respective areas. Low student-teacher ratios and small class size encourage close connections between instructors and students, enabling more individualized attention and higher levels of classroom participation each day. In this environment, students are valued as individuals and their teachers challenge and encourage them to excel.
Close community and safety
With smaller student bodies, smaller class sizes, and all divisions from Early Childhood Programs through Grade 12 on the same campus, closer observation is more easily managed by trained and familiar faculty and staff. Independent schools also use visitor management systems and have restricted access to academic buildings to ensure safety; however a key ingredient to keeping a community safe is by knowing the individuals in it.
Learn more about the independent school advantage from the National Association of Independent Schools (portions of this page were adapted from this article).
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