Why Private School

Private schools are generally set up in one of two ways: as for-profit entities or not-for-profit (nonprofit) entities. The for-profit version is typically used by either a corporation or a private individual in order to make a profit but not be eligible for contributions that are tax-deductible to the extent provided for by law. Not-for-profit status is what most private schools chose to organize under so that they may make money but also receive contributions that are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

What then are the advantages and/or disadvantages of a for profit versus a not for profit school? Is one kind of school better than the other?

For-Profit Schools

The way in which a for-profit school is set up is to allow it to be controlled by an owner. That owner could be an individual or group of individuals as is often the case with many pre-schools and some elementary schools. Another form of ownership is a corporation. This often is a corporation owned and operated by a group of local individuals. More typically, for-profit private schools are owned by a corporation that has schools in several locations. For-profit schools are usually in business to make money or turn a profit. They pay taxes on those profits. Parents pay for the school's services just as though they were customers. Examples of this sort of school include Le Rosey in Switzerland, Sylvan Learning Centers, the Nobel Schools, as well as thousands of

Christian schools as a genre have been around since the 1950s. Recently a subset of Christian schools known as classical Christian schools has become popular. This seems to have come about because standards in public education have steadily fallen. Many parents simply will not tolerate shoddy disciplinary standards, sloppy dress codes, violence in our schools, and underachievement and low expectations. As a result, they start their own schools.

Background

Classical Christian Schools trace their origins back to the revival of classical education in the late 20th century, particularly influenced by the works of scholars like Dorothy Sayers and Douglas Wilson. These schools seek to combine the rich heritage of classical education with a distinctly Christian worldview. The approach used in Classical Christian Schools is centered around the trivium, a three-part division of learning that includes the grammar stage, the logic stage, and the rhetoric stage. In the grammar stage, students focus on the foundational knowledge and facts of various subjects. The logic stage emphasizes critical thinking skills and logical reasoning, while the rhetoric stage focuses on effective communication and persuasive expression. Throughout all stages, the integration of Christian faith and principles is a guiding principle, with biblical teachings woven into the curriculum and classroom discussions. The goal is to cultivate students who are not only well-educated but also deeply grounded in their faith, equipped to engage with the world thoughtfully and confidently.

A classical Christian school proclaims Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It also adheres to the

There are a lot of misconceptions about private schools. This is probably because private schools are indeed private. But unfortunately, it has more to do with the reality that many journalists do not understand private schools. On a couple of occasions when I have been interviewed about private schools, the interviewers asked very pointed questions designed to support their preconceived notions that private schools were only for rich kids or kids with issues. They were always surprised when I refuted those kinds of leading questions with facts. With that experience in mind here are some common myths together with the reasons why they are simply that: myths.

Myth #10: Private school teachers make less than public school teachers.

Not true. This might have been the case years ago. Private school teachers are not unionized. However, they do enjoy some perks public school teachers do not have such as housing, meals, and reduced or free tuition for their children. But, as a rule, compensation is about the same in both sectors. The real disparity seems to occur within private schools themselves. For example, most parochial or religious schools tend to offer compensation which is on the low end of the scale. This video discusses some of the things schools like to see in your application file.

Administrators are not unionized either. Deans, admissions directors, development directors, business officers, and heads of school are generally paid competitively. You can research the facts by examining not-for-profit schools' Form 990 which has

The Seattle area is home to many fine private schools as well as to major companies such as Microsoft, Boeing and Starbucks.

• Annie Wright School, Tacoma
• Auburn Adventist Academy, Auburn
• The Bear Creek School, Redmond & Woodinville
• Bellevue Children's Academy, Bellevue
• Bellevue Montessori School, Bellevue
• Bertschi School, Seattle
• Bishop Blanchet High School, Seattle
• Billings Middle School, Seattle
• Brighton School, Lynnwood
• Brightwater School, Seattle
• The Bush School, Seattle
• Chrysalis School, Woodinville
• The Clearwater School, Seattle
• Concordia Lutheran School, Seattle
• Community Christian Academy, Lacey
• Eastside Catholic School, Sammamish
• Evergreen Academy, Bothell & Woodinville
• Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Bellevue
• Fremont Community School, Seattle
• The French American Immersion School of Washington, Bellevue
• French American School of Puget Sound, Mercer Island
• Holy Names Academy, Seattle
• Holy Rosary School, Seattle
• Hope Lutheran School
• Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle
• Junior Junction School, Kent
• KapKa Cooperative School, Seattle
• King's Schools, Seattle
• Lakeside School, Seattle
• Life Christian School, Tacoma
• Matheia School, Seattle
• Montessori in Motion, Tacoma
• Northwest Yeshiva High School, Mercer Island
• The Open Window School, Seattle
• Our Lady of Gaudalupe School, Seattle
• The Overlake School, Redmond
• Providence Classical Christian School, Bellevue
• Puget Sound Community School, Seattle
• Saint Catherine School, Seattle
• Saint Alphonsus Parish School, Seattle
• Saint Charles Borromeo, Tacoma
• Saint George's Parish School, Seattle

The historic metropolitan Boston area offers a wide range of academic and cultural activities. Just as impressive is the area's selection of private schools which cater to almost every need.

A fine transportation network and the fact that the Big Dig is finally finished make Boston a wonderful place in which to live and go to school. After graduation, there are thirty-seven colleges and universities to choose from. Head north a few hours and you will find excellent skiing in the winter and a host of recreational activities in the summer. Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard to the east and south are treasures in their own right. Boston's accommodations and restaurants are decidely world-class. Perhaps one of these fine schools should be on your short list.

• The Advent School, Boston
• Archbishop Williams High School, Braintree
• Arlington Catholic High School, Arlington
• The Atrium School, Watertown
• Beaver Country Day School, Chestnut Hill
• Belmont Day School, Belmont
• Beverly School for the Deaf, Beverly
• Bishop Fenwick High School, Peabody
• Boston College High School, Boston
• Boston University Academy, Boston
• Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill
• Brooks School, North Andover
• Buckingham Browne and Nichols School, Cambridge
• Cambridge Friends School, Cambridge
• The Cambridge School of Weston, Weston
• Catholic Memorial High, West Roxbury
• Chapel Hill-Chauncy School, Waltham
• Charles River School, Dover
• The Chestnut Hill School, Chestnut Hill
• Concord Academy, Concord
• Cushing