Which school is better?
A good school is the steppingstone to a bright future, but to some, this means attending a private school to secure that possibility. The differences between a public and a private school,
whether good or bad, have always been apparent. However, the debate on which one is better depends on perspective.
“I believe private schools should require tuition because of the number of resources available,” said Deerfield Beach High School senior Lailah Dorelus.
The way each school obtains their funds varies differently. Private schools get financed by endowments, private corporations, and fundraising events. Public schools mostly receive funding from the state government, grants, awards, and donations. Private schools are known to have more funds to support their students, especially with the help of tuition.
Most students in high school tend to have their own hobbies and interests that they might want to indulge in, that is what extracurricular activities are for. Public schools offer a larger range of clubs, sports, and artistic classes. It gives these scholars an opportunity to experiment or participate more while doing something they enjoy. This is not to say private schools do not offer these activities, but in most institutions, parents usually have a larger say in activities that go on given that they contribute greatly with financial aspects. Even more, rules tend to be stricter. In this situation, public schools have a wider range of selections.
“I don’t think academic performance depends on whether you go to public or private schools because we are human and everyone learns differently and not everyone has the same learning ability,” said DBHS junior Nhema Smith.
Academic performance is what all the funding and technology are there for. When conducting a survey of mean ACT composite scores among high school students, researchers found that those who attended private school scored an average of 24.2 out of 36, and those who attended public school scored an average of 20.3. Access to quality supplies and technology, along with private schools’ more demanding graduation requirements, can all contribute to differences in graduation rates. Although private schools score higher, this doesn’t mean individual performance should be ignored as students who attend public schools are also able to do exceptionally well.
Education is not the only important part of school. Being able to surround oneself with people of similar views, backgrounds, and experiences is also something students might need. If diversity is something parents or kids look at in a school, public schools tend to be more adept in that area. It all comes down to personal preferences in a social sense.
Both have their strengths. Public schools are the ideal option for families who may not have the financial stability to afford to attend a private school. Private schools are the ideal option for families who have the means to attend and are willing to spend the money to give their children access to quality resources. However, it is up to the student and parents to look through what both options offer and pick which will be more beneficial or a better option for the student.
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