Differences between Private and Public Schools - Essay Example

Education (Private vs. Public) For every individual, education plays the role of a ladder that brings personal and professional success in life (Noton n.p.). A person needs to get high quality education to flourish successfully in today’s world of competition. Therefore, it is very important to think critically when deciding on any major issue related to schooling. Deciding whether to get children admitted to private schools or public schools is one of the most important decisions for parents.

In this paper, some of the main differences between private and public schools will be discussed to know how receiving education from one or the other is better or more advanced.Curriculum and Policy Management One of the main differences between private and public schools in related to curriculum and policy management. Public schools need to follow and adhere to the local and federal educational guidelines (Long Island Schools n.p.). They cannot bring any change to the curriculum unless the government approves it.

Every public school located in any part of the state has the same curriculum. On the other hand, private schools can have a slightly different curriculum from that of the public schools. Although private schools also need to adhere to the educational guidelines of the government, but they can make slight changes to the guidelines as per need of the school and students and can design their own curriculum.Admissions In public schools, the government does not apply any restriction on the number of admissions.

On the other hand, there is usually some limit related to the number of admissions in private schools. If that limit is over, the school reserves the right to reject other admission applications. The restriction of the limit of admissions also helps private schools give more attention to students individually which results in a better learning environment, as well as improves teacher-student relationship. Moreover, in private schools, admissions are based on merit (Egan n.p.). Public schools cannot apply any limit to admissions because they are funded by the government, which is responsible to provide education to all children (Gilmore n.p.).

Cost The cost of education is also significantly higher in private schools as compared to that of the public schools. The reason is that private schools are not funded by the government because of which the management has to arrange salaries for teachers and money for all administrative expenses on their own. They charge high money from the parents of children in return for providing high quality education. The owners of private schools see private schooling as business. The better the quality of education will be, increased will be the number of admissions in the school.

Therefore, private schools provide much improved quality education to students than public schools in order to attract more students and gain more money.Discipline The level of discipline also raises difference between public and private schools. “In a private school the rules of the school are clearly laid out when you sign the contract to attend a private school” (Kennedy 1). Students have to adhere to those rules in order to remain the part of the school because there are usually very strict policies in private schools regarding discipline.

On the other hand, the disciplinary process is generally somewhat slow and weak. Looking at these differences, it is evident that private school system is a much better and improved system as compared to public schools. Although the expenses of getting education in private schools are higher, but the quality of education, discipline, and learning environment overshadow that aspect of private schooling. Works CitedEgan, Shannon. “What Is The Difference Between Private School Vs Public School?.” Ezinearticles.

com, 18 Oct. 2010. Web. 01 May 2013. Gilmore, Tarisha. “The Difference Between Public and Private Schools.” Examiner.com, 08 May 2011. Web. 01 May 2013. Kennedy, Robert. “Teaching - The Difference Between Private and Public Schools.” About.com, n.d. Web. 01 May 2013. Long Island Schools. “The Difference Between Public Schools and Private Schools.” Longislandschools.com, n.d. Web. 01 May 2013. Noton, Adriana. “Arguing For Private School Vs Public School Is Not A Black And White Issue.

” Ezinearticles.com, 14 Dec. 2010. Web. 01 May 2013.