Private School vs. Public School
Compare and Contrast
April 14, 2011
Every public school kid has heard the stories about private school; snotty, over-privileged children of equally snotty, wealthy parents, tottering around in their nicely pressed uniforms. The same could be said for private school kids. The majority most likely think public school is for heathens and degenerates. But just how different are they? Take into account the three C’s: cost, clothing, and curriculum.
Anyone would have to be blind to not see the gargantuan difference when it comes to cost. According to the Department of Education the average cost of tuition for one year of private school for K-12 is $6,600. That’s not including extra fees such as transportation, books, and sports, which could cost upwards of $1,800. And this is all for your average private institution. In the elitist of schools, tuition could cost anywhere from $15,000-$30,000. That’s per year! And what’s even more absurd is that there are public schools on par, or better, than some of these private schools and it costs essentially nothing. There are extra costs that go along with attending any public school, but it’s nowhere near as severe. What’s $40 for a field trip or $20 a week for lunch? Granted, all the money that these private schools funnel in does go toward something. For instance, it’s widely known that private schools usually have better facilities and those facilities have better equipment; newer books, computers, etc. All of this comes from the tuition paid for each student. Many public schools can’t boast to having these advantages.
While it’s fairly obvious that private schools trump public where money is involved, which institution fosters greater individuality? Taking a closer look at each ones dress code, anyone would think that the clear winner is the public school. Children who go to public school aren’t restricted to the polo’s adorning school colors or the awful beige of khaki pants. In fact, most have a
April 14, 2011
Every public school kid has heard the stories about private school; snotty, over-privileged children of equally snotty, wealthy parents, tottering around in their nicely pressed uniforms. The same could be said for private school kids. The majority most likely think public school is for heathens and degenerates. But just how different are they? Take into account the three C’s: cost, clothing, and curriculum.
Anyone would have to be blind to not see the gargantuan difference when it comes to cost. According to the Department of Education the average cost of tuition for one year of private school for K-12 is $6,600. That’s not including extra fees such as transportation, books, and sports, which could cost upwards of $1,800. And this is all for your average private institution. In the elitist of schools, tuition could cost anywhere from $15,000-$30,000. That’s per year! And what’s even more absurd is that there are public schools on par, or better, than some of these private schools and it costs essentially nothing. There are extra costs that go along with attending any public school, but it’s nowhere near as severe. What’s $40 for a field trip or $20 a week for lunch? Granted, all the money that these private schools funnel in does go toward something. For instance, it’s widely known that private schools usually have better facilities and those facilities have better equipment; newer books, computers, etc. All of this comes from the tuition paid for each student. Many public schools can’t boast to having these advantages.
While it’s fairly obvious that private schools trump public where money is involved, which institution fosters greater individuality? Taking a closer look at each ones dress code, anyone would think that the clear winner is the public school. Children who go to public school aren’t restricted to the polo’s adorning school colors or the awful beige of khaki pants. In fact, most have a