5 Clues That It Might Not Really Be Montessori School

As a rule, there are limits on these devices and their use in private schools. Let's look at five things you are not supposed to do with personal technology. Breaking the rules in your school could land you in a heap of trouble, including expulsion. If you are a parent, review her school's personal technology use policy. Then discuss the policy with your child. Help her understand the rules, the limits and the reasons why the school has a technology policy. Remind her further that she has no rights in a private school. So if the school disciplines her for an infraction, there is very little or no recourse. That is because private school students are covered by contract law. The rights and privileges are spelled out in detail in the contract which you signed with the school. She does not have constitutional rights per se. The contract

When critics inveigh against private schools, they tend to pick on issues such as the following.

Everybody's Rich

Actually if you look at the beginnings of most private schools, you will discover that their original clientele were not children from wealthy families. Many of the founders of schools back in colonial times - the Phillips family, for example - saw education as the way forward for the infant democracy which was the United States. In order for the nation to survive it needed a literate, educated, proficient population. European crusaders like Dr. Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner - the founder of the Waldorf Schools movement - began their work among the poor and working classes. Their teachings captured the imagination of American middle and upper classes when their movements spread to the United States.

Over time as the schools expanded, they became highly prized for what they accomplished so very well, namely providing an excellent academic education, combined with sports and solid core values. Market forces conspired to drive the cost of education up. Social forces conspired to make private schools the place where the elite sent their children. In the 21st century egalitarian ideas once more have the upper hand. Private schools seek out and encourage applicants from every social and economic strata. Diversity rules. Not everybody who attends private school is rich.

Compulsory Sports

What's not to like about sports? Schooling throughout the centuries has always had a physical education component. Think Olympics. The ancient Romans

If you haven't applied for a job - any job - in a couple of years, be aware of two things. First of all, you can do most job applications online. Secondly applying for a private school job similar to applying for a public school teaching job, although there are some subtle differences.

Review the job application process carefully. Don't assume that everything is the same as when you last applied for a job. It won't be. The biggest change is the online application process. Most employers including private schools will expect you to apply online these days. They do this so that they can screen applications. Years ago, an administrative assistant or secretary screened snail-mailed job applications. That involved opening envelopes and sorting the applications. Occasionally the assistant actually screened the applications, generally to ensure that all requested materials had been sent. At some point, the pile of applications and cover letters ended up on the desk of the person charged with filling the job opening. This process could take a couple of hours or even longer. That depended on the number of applications received.

Nowadays, the screening process can be done by the member of staff who is looking to fill the position. Viewing the online responses to an open position is very simple, fast and convenient. Furthermore, you can access the information anytime, anywhere on a smartphone or tablet.

Having drawn attention to all that, the basics of a job application have not changed.

No doubt about it, private school tuition costs are rising. Some schools seem to be rising at a faster rate than others. Why? What's behind those tuition increases? Unfortunately for many private schools costs of basic goods and services have risen dramatically. Energy costs alone chew up a major part of any school's budget. Faculty and staff salaries and benefits are a substantial part of budgets as well. In order to attract and retain qualified, skilled and experience personnel, you need to offer a decent compensation package with annual increases. Most schools also offer free or substantially reduced tuition for children of faculty and staff.

This video from ABC News discusses the benefits and costs of private school.

Reasons why private school tuitions are on the rise

Administrative costs are one reason private school tuitions increase year over year. Everything from employee compensation to insurance plays a part in this situation.

According to HowMuch.net: "The average cost of private school tuition has grown at a rate that is higher than inflation over the past 20-years. While there are several cost increases that have led to the rise in private school tuition, administrative employee compensation has been the main catalyst for the increases in private school expenses. The rise in the volume of employees who have a larger compensation package than a typical teacher has created the upward trajectory in private school tuition