5 Facts About Progressive Schools

Updated December 03, 2021

Progressive schools are different from traditional schools. These five facts highlight some of those differences.

Progressive schools are different from traditional schools. Their educational philosophies and teaching methods are different. Because there are so few progressive schools, relatively speaking - only about 75 schools call themselves progressive - most people are surprised when they discover that these schools even exist.

First, here is some of the background on the progressive movement here in the United States. The easiest way to understand how progressivism got started in this country is to realize that educators were also philosophers. For example, the Vermont native John Dewey (1859-1952) who founded the University of Chicago's Laboratory School which many consider the flagship of progressive education, was a distinguished philosopher as well as an educator. In a nutshell, Dewey knew that education was the way to make sweeping changes in society. After he had left the University of Chicago, Dewey founded The New School in New York. The foundation of Dewey's approach to education rests on three lectures he gave back in the 1890s to raise money for his Laboratory School. The School and Social Progress, the School and the Life of the Child, and Waste in Education put forth Dewey's fundamental beliefs that education needs to be an interactive process in which the child discovers the relevance of his lessons to the real world outside.

This video offers an overview of John Dewey and his educational philosophy.

Dewey did not like the segmentation of

. . .read more

Private and Public Schools Compared

Updated November 11, 2022

by Robert Kennedy

How many students attend private school? What are some of the main differences between these two modes of K-12 education? This table sets out the basic characteristics of private and public schools so that you can compare them.

This table will help you see at a glance how private schools compare with public schools. Use it to explore issues and help answer questions about private schools. A list of resources with supporting data and information is given at the end of the table.

	Private Schools	Public Schools
Administration	The local support staff manages the day-to-day operations of each private school. Most private schools are stand-alone entities responsible for their own fund-raising and all other aspects of running their businesses.	Local school and district layers of administrative staff support the day-to-day operations of all schools within a specific school district.
Admissions	Selective. Students must meet whatever admissions standards are set. These standards focus on the candidate's ability to do academic work and other factors.	Students must meet residency and age requirements. Students are admitted without regard to academic ability.
Arts	All kinds of arts programs are essential components of a private school education. You will find orchestras, bands, and choirs as part of the performing arts offerings. Fine arts and theater are also part of most programs.	Arts programs are generally considered extras in a public school budget. They are usually one of the first areas of expense to be cut when savings must be found in budgets.
Census	Approximately 4.9 million students were projected to attend private K-12 schools for the academic year 2015-2016.	Approximately 50.1 million students were projected to attend public K-12 schools for the academic year 2015-2016.
Class Size	Private high schools generally have small classes, with

. . .read more

SCVNGR: The Newest Social Media Tool

Updated July 20, 2022

by Robert Kennedy

SCVNGR adds a new layer to the social media world. Jeff Kirchik explains what SCVNGR is and how it works.

Editor's Note: When social media first came on the scene, most institutions including private schools tended to dismiss it as something kids did. But Facebook and Twitter gained enormous traction once schools figured out how to use them effectively. With that in mind I asked Jeff Kirchick, a Roxbury Latin alum, to tell us about SCVNGR, one of the newest social media tools. He was kind enough to answer my questions.~ Robert Kennedy.

1. SCVNGR is the newest social media tool on the scene. Tell us a bit about it, how it works and how it came into being?

Founded by CEO and “Chief Ninja” Seth Priebatsch, SCVNGR started as a project at Princeton University. Noticing his friends’ fingers glued to their phones, Priebatsch wanted to come up with a way to leverage mobile technology as an engagement tool. SCVNGR started focusing on universities, museums, and other institutions but has now expanded to a business with more than 1000 partners and 65 employees.

Used as a recruitment and retention tool at over 350 Universities, SCVNGR is part game and part game platform. Playing is simple and students go places on campus, do challenges, and earn points. Students can play custom challenges and treks on SCVNGR’s iPhone/Android app or via SMS.

As a proud Roxbury Latin alum, Jeff Kirchick decided to introduce SCVNGR to independent high schools over the summer. Since July, Exeter, Andover, and Roxbury Latin have all signed on. In regards to the

. . .read more

The Private School Survival Guide for Teachers

Updated April 24, 2023

by Robert Kennedy

The Private School Survival Guide for Teachers

There are several differences between teaching in a private school versus teaching in a public school.

Perhaps you are thinking about teaching in a private school in the future or maybe you just started teaching in a private school during the current academic year. This article is written with you in mind. If you are coming from a public school, you will find several differences between teaching in public school and teaching in a private school. The differences are even more pronounced if you take a teaching position in a boarding school. If you have never taught at all, then the following article wil raise points and issues for you to consider.

Students who want to be there

Teachers want to teach. We love our subject. We want to share it with our students. Unfortunately it can be difficult to teach when you are more concerned about maintaining order in your classroom than you are with actually teaching. When you have a large class of, say, 30 or 40 students, maintaining order is an ever-present issue. On the other hand teaching a small class of, say 12-15 students, allows you to engage your students more or less constantly. It is very difficult for students not to be engaged when the size of the class is small.

This video illustrates teaching using Harkness tables.

Students attend private school because their parents want them to get a first rate education. The admissions process can be quite rigorous involving as it does testing and

. . .read more

The Private School Survival Guide for Parents

Updated December 03, 2021

by Robert Kennedy

The Private School Survival Guide for Parents

It's a big step sending your darling off to private school. She will probably survive the transition just fine. But how about you?

It's a big step sending your darling off to private school. She will probably survive the transition just fine. But how about you? Will you be able to restrain yourself and avoid being an over-protective parent? Are you going to hover nearby like a helicopter? Let's look at how to make that huge adjustment to not having our little darling at home where we knew where she was and what she was up to. Here is how to cope with private school at four distinct grade levels. Here is your private school survival guide.

Preschool

When you send your baby off to preschool or nursery school, you will go through all kinds of angst. Being concerned is particularly true when your first or only child leaves the nest. However, you can offset much of your anxiety by selecting your preschool or nursery school carefully. The best schools will always be hard to get into. Places at popular schools will be limited. But once the school has accepted her, then determine how you can be helpful without getting in the way. Most schools will welcome your assistance with everything from class activities to fundraising. Don't wait to be asked. Don't be shy about telling the school that you have experience working in development or marketing or whatever field you offer. Stay involved as a team player rather than as the leader which you are probably accustomed to being. The school will appreciate that display of modesty.

This

. . .read more

Recent Articles

May 06, 2024

Successful Uses of AI in the Classroom

Gain insights into striking the right balance between leveraging AI tools and preserving the irreplaceable role of human teachers.

April 28, 2024

How to Study for an Exam

Discover proven strategies for high school juniors and seniors to study effectively and excel in exams. From time management techniques to active learning strategies, this article provides essential tips for success. Get ready to boost your grades and conquer your exams with confidence!