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What's a Private School?
Private K-12 schools are non-public schools. In other words, they are not part of the public K-12 education system. A brief history of K-12 education in the 17th and 18th centuries and more.

Private K-12 schools are non-public schools. In other words, they are not part of the public K-12 education system. While private schools are regulated in the same way most businesses are with respect to safety, zoning and registration, they are not required to do many of the things public schools must do such as state testing and accepting any student who applies.

First, let's take a quick look at the history of K-12 education in the United States of America. What were the first colonists were up against as far as education was concerned? The challenges were enormous simply because there was nothing here. Native Americans did not have school buildings. They educated their offspring in their natural surroundings. The colonists, on the other hand, had left a country with an organized educational system. For example, King's School, Canterbury, opened its doors in 597. In the Middle Ages, the kings and queens of England established schools and universities to educate young men. In most cases, these educational establishments were founded to educate and train clergy, judges, and other public officials. Edward VI set up free grammar schools which were open to all, regardless of religious beliefs or ability to pay. Many of the great cathedrals and abbeys had choir schools where they provided for the education of boys.

Leaving a country with a long history of education, the earliest settlers in America arrived here in the early part of the 17th century and very quickly and resolutely

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What's an Independent School?

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What's an Independent School?
Join us on this enlightening journey as we unravel the tapestry of private schools, providing a comprehensive overview of the different names, types, and educational philosophies that define them. Whether you are a parent seeking the perfect fit for your child's educational journey or simply curious about the diverse educational landscape, this article is your gateway to understanding the multitude of private school options available.

Private schools come in a remarkable variety of names and types, each offering a unique educational approach and philosophy. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the fascinating world of private schools, shedding light on the diverse range of institutions available to families seeking alternative educational options.

From elite prep schools to Montessori academies, religious-affiliated institutions to progressive learning centers, the landscape of private schools is rich and diverse. We examine the various names and labels associated with these educational establishments, uncovering the meanings behind them and the educational philosophies they represent.

Discover the distinctive characteristics of different private school types, such as independent schools, boarding schools, single-sex schools, and alternative schools. Gain insights into their educational methodologies, curriculum choices, and core values. Whether you are interested in a traditional academic focus, a specialized arts program, or an emphasis on experiential learning, this article will help you navigate the vast array of options available.

Furthermore, we explore the benefits and considerations associated with each type of private school, allowing parents to make informed decisions based on their child's unique needs, interests, and learning styles. We highlight the advantages of smaller class sizes, personalized attention from dedicated faculty, and the availability of extracurricular activities that foster holistic development.

The definition of an independent school.

Collins Dictionary defines an independent school as "a private school, not open to or controlled by the public, especially one that is nonreligious and supported mainly by tuition and private funds." An independent

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What is AP?

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What is AP?
AP is short for the Advanced Placement Program offered by the College Board. It is a course of study designed to prepare high school students for college.

What is AP?

AP or Advanced Placement Program is a three-year sequence of high school coursework offered by the College Board in over 34 subject areas. The idea behind offering AP courses is to provide college-bound high school seniors with a level of academic playing field. You see, it doesn't matter whether you are a high school student in Dubuque, Iowa, or Darien, Connecticut, AP courses and the end of course examinations are the same wherever they are offered. The course content is the same. The teaching objectives are the same. The preparation for the final examinations is the same. Because the standard is the same everywhere and the final examinations are proctored and graded by the College Board, college admissions professionals can compare student academic achievements with confidence. They know exactly what AP means when they see it on your transcript. They know exactly what your AP scores represent.

This brief video explains the impact of AP credit and placement.

That is the intrinsic value of AP Courses and their examinations from a college admissions point of view. Admissions professionals want to know that the math courses that an applicant took at a public high school in Kansas are the same as those an applicant from a private school in Tennessee took. In other words, they want to compare apples to apples. When one applicant is offered a high school math course

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What's Being Taught?

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What's Being Taught?
What curricula do private schools follow? Who accredits private schools? What kind of standards prevail? More here.

American private high schools generally prepare their graduates for academic work after graduation. With that in mind let's take a look at the various academic options which you will find in American private schools.

Because private schools are indeed private or independent, as opposed to being state schools, they can set their own curricula and the qualifications of their faculty. Most private high schools meet or exceed the course requirements mandated by the state education department for the state in which the school is located. For example, here are the State of Minnesota's graduation requirements:

Minnesota students are required to complete three kinds of requirements by the time they graduate. Students must:

  • Satisfactorily complete the state course credit requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.024.
  • Satisfactorily complete all state academic standards or local academic standards where state standards do not apply.
  • Meet graduation assessment requirements.

Course Credits

Students complete the academic standards by taking a core course of study that equips them with the knowledge and skills they need for success in postsecondary education, highly skilled work, and civic life. In order to graduate, your child’s high school coursework must include at least the minimum state course credit requirements. A course credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic year of study or mastering the subject matter, as determined by the local school district. Students must complete a minimum of 21.5 course credits as follows:

  • 4 credits of language arts
  • 3 credits of mathematics, including algebra,
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What Overseas Parents Need To Know

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What Overseas Parents Need To Know
If you live outside the United States, choosing an American private school can be a confusing process. Here is an overview of the process.

If you live abroad and are thinking about sending your child to an American private school, you need to be aware of several things about American schools. If you are being transferred to the United States by your employer, your move will entail help with finding and paying for private schools for your school age children. Let's explore five characteristics of American private schools about which you need to know.

1. The U.S. has many private schools.

First of all, like everything else in the U.S., the sheer number of private K-12 schools in the United States is positively overwhelming. There are over 29,000 private schools. See Private Schools: A Brief Portrait for an overview of the private school scene. Private schools educate approximately 10% of K-12 students.

This video gives you an idea of why Cabrini High School in New Orleans, Louisiana is much loved by its students. Children attend American private schools by choice, not because they have to.

In North America “public” denotes a school which receives funding from a government entity. The federal, state and/or local authorities support our public schools with tax dollars. Generally, public schools are largely funded by property taxes at the local municipal level. Private schools, on the other hand, are generally supported almost exclusively by their own resources. These include tuition fees, fund-raising campaigns, and endowments. Private schools do not, as a rule, accept any form of state funding. To do so would jeopardize their independence.

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