Private vs. Public School
“When it comes to my time at Berkeley Hall, I am most grateful for our community and teachers. Coming from a public school in the past, I would say that Berkeley Hall by far has been the best experience I could ask for and more. The teachers and administrators just care so much and you can see how much effort they put into making each Bobcat thrive.”
- Current 8th Grade Student
What’s the difference between a private and public school? As an independent school, Berkeley Hall falls under the “private school” category because they are governed by a Board of Trustees, not a public-school district. We are primarily supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions, and endowment revenue. This means that independent school teachers have the freedom to create educational experiences that meet each child’s needs, without state mandates on curriculum, textbooks, and testing. The value of attending a private or independent school goes far beyond an incredible, personalized, and mission driven education. Private schools also offer tight-knit communities of like minded individuals, opportunities that go beyond the classroom, and access to technology. Keep reading for more reasons why private schools are a great investment for your family.
- Private schools offer a stronger sense of COMMUNITY. “Numerous studies have shown that private schools, on the whole, offer a more positive peer environment,” says Mark Dynarski of the Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institute. Just like any organization, each private school has a strong sense of culture that attracts families who are attracted to this type of environment. Independent schools promote regular communication among students, parents, and teachers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals. As a parent, you can actively engage in your student’s education, because the staff and teachers want and value your participation.
- Private schools are more likely to be DIVERSE, EQUITABLE, AND INCLUSIVE. According to Niche data on tolerance, private schools are more likely to be accepting of students from minority groups and more prepared to combat bullying with anti-bullying campaigns. At Berkeley Hall, we have over 50% cultural diversity in our student body! As one parent describes it, “When you look into a classroom, it’s like looking at the United Nations.”
- Private schools have SMALLER CLASS SIZES, which allow for more individual attention. According to NCES, the national average for private schools is 19 students per class, and an average student to teacher ratio of 12.2 students. At Berkeley Hall, we have an average class size of 15 and an 8:1 student to teacher ratio. This means that students get more personalized attention in the classroom, which ensures that each student is fully engaged in the course material.
- Private schools have a FLEXIBLE CURRICULUM and more EXTRACURRICULAR options. Independent schools nurture intellectual curiosity, stimulate personal growth, encourage critical thinking, and promote a lifelong love of learning. More students in independent schools enroll in advanced courses than in public, charter, parochial, and other schools. Additionally, private schools and their teachers have the freedom to create educational experiences that meet each child’s needs, without state mandates on curriculum, textbooks, and testing. With more access to resources and an ability to adjust extracurriculars based on student interest, private schools are also more likely to offer a wide range of class options.
- Private schools have more access to TECHNOLOGY. In today’s changing world, it’s increasingly important for students to use technology in school to prepare for their future careers. In case of a situation where students are not able to attend school in person, as we recently experienced with COVID-19, students are also more likely to stay on track with their education because of access to technology.
- While this is not true of all private schools, Berkeley Hall definitely has more ACCESS TO NATURE. Sitting on 66 acres in the Santa Monica mountains, Berkeley Hall has a pool, multiple playgrounds and gardens, an outdoor amphitheater, a track, a football field, tennis courts, and a baseball field! It’s truly an oasis away from the city, and yet it’s smack in the center of Los Angeles.
- Private schools are MISSION DRIVEN. Each independent school is driven by its own unique philosophy, values, and approach to teaching. At Berkeley Hall in specific, our mission is, “To empower children to fulfill their unlimited, God-given potential as fearless scholars and conscientious citizens.” This means that each teacher is working with the assumption that every child is capable of wonderful things, and has the goal of helping the students to reach their full potential. As one of our teachers recently said, “It’s important to see that your abilities are fluid and growable. It’s important to see other people that way too.”
- One factor that’s true of both private and public schools is that teachers regularly participate in PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. At Berkeley Hall, we take it one step further with Depth of Study. Depth of Study faculty teams work together in an ongoing, structured way to strengthen specific aspects of teaching and learning at Berkeley Hall. Teachers analyze student data to identify facets of the curriculum and student experience that could benefit from improvement and then bring together their best ideas to make it happen. As another teacher said, “At other schools where I’ve worked, you might see teachers collaborate in a similar way from time to time, but here, it’s in our DNA.”
- Private schools provide an EDUCATION FOR THE WHOLE CHILD. In addition to academics, independent schools also nurture students’ character development by supporting personal and social growth. Outside the classroom, students participate in school-sponsored athletic competitions, artistic pursuits, and leadership experiences. Activities like this foster a deep sense of civic duty in each student, which directly translates to a sense of responsibility for the world around them.
We would be remiss not to mention that there is a price difference between public and private schools, but the value of a private school is undeniable. Many private schools, like Berkeley Hall, use a significant portion of their annual budget to offer financial aid for qualifying families. As you’ve read, the quality of education, access to resources, community, small class sizes, and character growth that each student receives are just a few of the reasons why you should consider a private school. If you’re interested in learning more about Berkeley Hall, reach out to admissions@berkeleyhall.org
No comments have been posted
Located in Los Angeles, CA, Berkeley Hall School is a private, coeducational school for students in preschool through grade 8. Rigorous academics in a supportive atmosphere and grounded character development allow students to become fearless scholars and conscientious citizens - gain a love of learning, leadership with social responsibility, creativity with moral integrity, and self-esteem with compassion for others and the environment.