When it comes to defining “value,” it’s hard to refute statistics. According to reports from the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS), students who attend private schools are twice as likely to earn a Bachelor’s degree as their public-school counterparts. According to the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLGU), those with a Bachelor’s degree earn approximately $32,000 more annually than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma.
You also need to look at the fact that on a national basis, private school graduation rates are near 100%, while public schools are only graduating about 80% of their students. Add all the numbers up and you can plainly see the financial value of attending a private school. However, there are a number of intrinsic benefits of private elementary schools that provide additional value over a public-school education.
For one, public schools are often somewhat hindered by their standardized curricula. Conversely, private schools have the ability to be flexible with what and how they teach, providing private school students with a broader, more well-rounded education that goes beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. Private schools are also better funded through tuition fees and endowments, so they have additional resources that can be used for expanding the educational experience.
Private schools also typically have smaller class sizes than public schools, providing private school teachers with a greater flexibility to assist students individually. Smaller class sizes also tend to make it easier to combine teaching with hands-on activities that help the student better understand lessons and interact more socially with their fellow students. Many of the bonds that form in private schools turn into lifelong friendships that are mutually beneficial to the students as they continue their education and choose careers.
When looking for the best affordable private schools in Hampton Roads, be sure to include Strelitz International Academy as one of your options. We are an International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school, providing a world-class education for students who want to make a difference locally, nationally, and globally. We’re already committed to being back on campus this fall, so we invite you to visit us and see how we can provide better value when it comes to your child’s education.
