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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 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. 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” refers to a school that 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. Another difference in nomenclature is

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State Regulation of Private Schools

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State Regulation of Private Schools
This article explores the complex landscape of state regulation of private schools in the United States. It discusses the balance between parental rights, state interests, and religious freedom, while providing an overview of how different states approach the regulation of private education.

State Regulation of Private Schools provides a brief description, by state, of the legal requirements that apply to private schools. In addition, each state entry includes statistics on private schools by type in the state. This manual is intended to serve as a reference for public and private school officials, state policymakers, and researchers. This manual is an update of a 1993 publication by the (then) Office of Private Education, The Regulation of Private Schools in America: A State-by-State Analysis.

To ensure the accuracy of the analysis, contact persons in each state were designated by the Chief State School Officer. Each state summary was submitted to the appropriate state department of education for their consideration and approval. The individuals in each state who reviewed and amended these summaries were key to the timely and accurate updating of this information. Their participation, cooperation, and expertise are most appreciated. For the first time, legal requirements regarding homeschooling are included in each state. s summary. Additionally, state data on private schools from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics are included for each state.

This document is intended to provide helpful guidance. It creates no new rights or responsibilities. Additionally, nothing in this study reflects the position of the U.S. Department of Education as to the meaning or effect of any state legal requirement. Readers are encouraged to consult state constitutions and the full text of relevant case law, statutes, and regulations.

Under the United States Constitution, parents

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Private School Supplies

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Private School Supplies
Your child will need lots of supplies when she goes off to private school. These lists will help get you organized.

Starting a new year always brings much excitement as well as a little trepidation. In terms of planning, getting a preview of what you need to take to school with you can help settle nerves. While traditionally, private schools are better stocked in terms of student supplies, it is still customary for students to bring their personal school supplies at the beginning of each school year.

Your school supply list will depend on what grade you are going in and what school you go to. Each school has its own way of doing things. Sometimes, schools will charge a supply fee and provide the student with almost everything they need. Sometimes, schools will ask for items that become communal property, i.e. computer paper, tissue boxes, and even pencils. More than likely, the private school student will be asked to bring in their personal school supplies which they will use the ensuing year.

The purpose of this article is to give you a preview of what the typical private school supplies list will be like, provide shopping tips and give you our favorite online school supplies shopping sources. Our example supply lists are broken down: one for elementary students and one for high school students. Remember to check with your school for their actual list before you start shopping.

Elementary Private School Supplies

At the elementary school level more so than at the high school level, supplies can end up as "communal" in nature, since students tend to stay in the same

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Exploring Private School Jobs: Opportunities and Insights

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Exploring Private School Jobs: Opportunities and Insights
Want to teach in a private school? Discover what it's like. Learn what's involved, licensing requirements, benefits, and more.

Exploring Private School Jobs: Opportunities and Insights

What is it really like to work in a private school? Is it the same as teaching in a public school?

  • I'll explore private school jobs and the opportunities they offer.
  • I'll also share some insights into teaching in a private school versus a public school.
  • I'll also look at the benefits of working at a private school, preparing for work in a private school, and finding a teaching position.

Canva generated this picture of a teacher working at his laptop.

My Experience Teaching in Private Schools

I taught Latin, English, World History, Music, and Computers in private schools and was also the Deputy Director of one in The Bahamas.

  • I love the small classes. I never had more than 15 students.
  • What I liked most was that my students loved learning. Their curiosity was boundless.
  • My students also worked very hard. I remember my middle school and high school students lugging wheeled suitcases filled with textbooks.
  • The John E. Warriner English Grammar and Composition texts were thick and heavy, as was the world history text.
  • The students were generally gifted. Indeed, several were probably geniuses.

Photo of Rob Kennedy in the 90s when he was teaching.

The partnership with parents was constructive.

  • My parents appreciated the education we were giving their children.
  • I appreciated the support
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Changing Schools and Moving to New Area

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Changing Schools and Moving to New Area
This article provides a detailed timeline and checklist for families moving to a new area and changing schools. It covers everything from researching new schools and managing admissions processes to practical moving tips and strategies for helping children adjust to their new environment and school.

Changing schools and moving can be stressful, even if the entire family is excited about the move. The purpose of this article is to give you a checklist of all the things you may need to think about as you orchestrate your move and what you may need to do when changing schools. We have set up a list of things to do along a timeline to mirror your busy schedule as you get your household and school paperwork in order.

As soon as you decide to move

  • Changing Schools?
    • Private schools often have rigorous admissions. As soon as you realize that a move is necessary, it would help if you researched the private schools in the area and set up interviews so that you can better ascertain your family's fit for the school.
    • Get on the waiting list. Even if you cannot get your children into your first choice school because they do not have room, stay on their waiting list. Students drop out, move themselves, etc.
    • Consider using an educational consultant from your target destination to help you decide where to place your children when you move.
    • Give yourself enough time for your children to take admissions tests, if required, or placement tests so that the school can best determine fit for your children.
    • Find out if any extra-curricular activities require early enrollment or may involve practice over the summer before the school year starts.
  • Find daycare services or extended day services as soon as possible. Most of these services will have waiting
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