Choosing a Private School

Sooner or later you ought to consider a single sex school as opposed to a traditional coeducational school. Why? For several reasons. First of all, coeducational schools have only become 'traditional' or commonly accepted in the last several decades. Private education has its roots in single sex education, both in this country and in England.

Indeed, if you look at the history of most of the legendary prep schools in America, you are likely to find that they began as a single sex institutions. For example, Phillips Academy Exeter began as a boys' school. It only began admitting girls in its summer sessions in 1961 which was fifteen years after it dropped the two year Latin requirement - horrible dictu! It would be another nine years before Exeter admitted girls in its regular sessions.

So, what's really happening here? American private schools like Exeter have always pretty much mirrored the society which they seek to serve. Back in the late 1700's and early 1800's when many of these schools got their start, educating girls was not considered as important as educating boys. Those views changed over the centuries as the young republic grew and matured. So did views about education. In the 1960's and '70's single sex schools gradually fell out of fashion. In order to survive, some boys' and girls' schools merged to form coeducational schools. Others, like Exeter, saw the handwriting on the wall and moved with the times by admitting girls.

In the 21st century

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

A private school education is not cheap. It is a substantial financial sacrifice for many families. So why do parents willingly pay $30,000, $40,000 or more for something which public education provides free? Here are five reasons why you would do so. For current cost context, see Private School Review's Average Private School Tuition Cost in 2026.

1. Public education is not free.

We often forget that public schools are not free. You and I pay for public schools directly and indirectly through our property and other taxes. Public school facilities and properties are not taxable. As a result, they reduce the tax rolls of the municipality in which they are located. Attend a budget hearing for your local school district. Examine the financial statements. Then you will understand how and where your tax dollars are spent.

What kind of education are your public schools providing? Do the public schools offer the depth and breadth of academic programs you want and need for your child? What about sports programs and extracurricular activities? Have these been cut or substantially reduced because of budget cuts? Current national data from the National Endowment for the Arts provide a more recent look at access to and support for arts education in U.S. public schools, based on responses from more than 4,000 public K-12 schools in November 2024. It is pretty much the same story with

You would think that finding out how one private school compares to another would be a no-brainer, right? In a consumer-driven age where we can find out information instantly, it is still very difficult and very tedious to find out how one private school compares to another. In other words, there is no easy answer to the question parents ask most often: “What is the best school in _?”

Why is it so hard to get answers?

For two reasons. First of all, the private schools themselves circle their wagons and will not participate in any survey which tries to rank schools. The private school community refuses to engage in the sort of annual publicity stunt which U.S. News and World Report and other publications put out for colleges and universities every year.

Secondly, private schools don't receive any direct public funding. As a result, they are not subject to the kind of reporting requirements with which public schools must comply. NCLB (No Child Left Behind) does not apply to private schools, only to public schools.

The federal Department of Education does maintain data on private schools. The Private School Universe Survey (PSS) supplies statistical information about K-12 private schools. The PSS does not rank schools. It merely helps you determine how many Montessori schools are located in Montana. It is useful for policymakers and planners who need to know how many students go to private schools as opposed to public schools. It will not help

Visiting schools is a critical part of choosing a school. Yes, a website can give you a pretty good idea of school programs and facilities. But remember that the school is presenting itself precisely as it wishes to be seen, in a highly edited and sanitized manner.

Accordingly, you must see the school, inspect the facilities, meet some students, and chat with the staff. After all, you are considering entrusting your precious child to these people. You must determine if they are a good fit for your child. Your child won't be just a number in a private school. Small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio mean she won't get lost in the shuffle. Consequently, she needs to be in a setting that will nurture and bring out the best in her. Your practiced eye can root out any potential problems. Use a Checklist for Comparing Schools to keep track of your observations and answers to your questions.

This video from Your School Marketing explains how open houses are part of the admissions process.

School Culture and Influence

Remember: a school doesn't shape just educational outcomes; it also strongly influences attitudes and critical thinking. The culture of a school has a lot to do with this. Visiting the school allows you to evaluate all these essential aspects.

Open Houses

Many schools have open houses. These offer

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 may entail help finding and paying for private schools for your school-age children. Let's explore five characteristics of American private schools you need to know.

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

First of all, like everything else in the U.S., the number of private K-12 schools in the United States is overwhelming. According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, there are approximately 30,000 private schools in the United States. Private schools continue to educate about 10% of K-12 students. For an overview of the private school landscape, see Private School Review's guide to What's a Private School?.

In North America, "public" refers to a school that receives funding from a government entity. The federal, state, and 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, fundraising campaigns, and endowments. While many states now offer school choice scholarships or education savings accounts that families may use toward tuition, private schools generally remain independently governed. Another difference in nomenclature is the use of the word "college." College