The Supposed Benefits of Private vs. Public School According to the National Center for Education Statistics, roughly 10% of U.S. students (about 5 million) attend private schools compared to 50 million public elementary and secondary school students. Parents choose a private school for several reasons, including religion, a desire for same-sex education, a flexible curriculum, and smaller class sizes. Each private school is different, but here are some of the supposed benefits of private versus public school education: More academic opportunities. Private schools provide a varied and challenging educational experience for students through extracurricular activities, International Baccalaureate programs, Advanced Placement courses, and gifted programs, among other opportunities. Studies show as well that private school students consistently score higher on standardized tests and college entrance exams. Smaller class size. Research shows that smaller class sizes improve student performance on academic achievement tests. Private schools tend to offer smaller class sizes with lower teacher-to-student ratios for more individualized attention. Dedicated teachers and staff. For many private school parents, the dedication of teachers is a primary reason for choosing a private school. Many private school teachers hold advanced degrees in their field and, with smaller class sizes, students can form closer relationships with their teachers in a role model capacity. Parental involvement. Many private schools prioritise keeping parents involved in the community through parent-teacher meetings, social events, and parent committees. Increased parental involvement in education can also strengthen parent-child relationships. Improved safety. Private schools often have a reputation for keeping strict standards for discipline and respect. This, combined with a stronger sense of community and lower staff-to-student ratios, makes for a safer school environment. Better access to resources. Because private schools are not limited by public funding, they often have access to better resources. This includes equipment for extracurricular activities as well as technology and other resources for the classroom. More extracurricular activities. Academics are the priority for most private schools, but there is also a strong focus on a well-rounded education, including extracurricular activities. Private schools often offer various programs, including sports, art, music, and various clubs. Though there are many potential benefits associated with private school education, there are certainly some drawbacks. For example, public schools are paid for by local taxes, while private schools cost an average of over $10,000 a year. Private schools also tend to exhibit less diversity, and teachers have fewer requirements in terms of education and experience.