About Private Schools

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,

The question of how to educate a child is one of the most important a parent can ask. Many parents struggle with a basic choice of public vs. private school. Parents do not want to incur unnecessary expenses if they will not ultimately benefit their child. After all, many public schools do an excellent job of educating students. But while it is true that public schools do not have tuition costs (and a private school can run, on average, from $12,000 to $40,000 a year), the benefits of private education can still far outweigh the costs depending on the local options parents may face. Private schools can challenge their students academically, expose them to clearer value systems, give greater access to teachers, and allow them to feel safer than at a local public school. If you do decide to pursue private schooling for your child, start the research process early. Admission to private schools can be competitive, and finding a school that is a perfect fit for your child, where he or she will also be accepted, may take some time.

A Higher Bar

A major advantage to private education is that your child will likely be challenged to a higher academic standard. Private schools can be more academically rigorous than public schools, and private school students may have to meet more criteria to keep up their grade point averages. According to The Condition of Education 2018, from the National Center for Education Statistics, “Private high