1. Phoenix Country Day School – One of the most desired private schools Scottsdale, Phoenix Country Day School offers small class sizes, a highly educated faculty (around 60 percent have advanced degrees), individual advisors for students in grades 5-12 and a comprehensive foreign language program.

2. Brophy College Preparatory – The only Jesuit school in Arizona since 1928, Brophy College Preparatory is a male-only high school (although Xavier College Preparatory for girls is right next door). The school places an emphasis on Catholic principles, but has exceptional academic and athletic programs as well. In fact, before students are accepted into the school, they must pass a rigorous entrance exam and interview to make sure the potential student is a good fit for the school. With so much importance placed on getting an excellent education, it’s no wonder so many Brophy students go on to graduate from universities!

3. Pardes Jewish Day School – This private school “prepares students to become outstanding members of society through a rigorous secular and Judaic education, a nurturing community and a foundation in Reform Judaism that welcomes all Jewish traditions.” Pardes Jewish Day School is one of the best private schools Scottsdale, thanks to its diverse curriculum, small class sizes and excellence in academics.

To be sure, people considering luxury properties Scottsdale are in for a treat once they investigate the private school options the city has to offer.

Founding Sandra Wilken Luxury Properties in 1995, Sandra Wilken was first recognized for representing major developments in Scottsdale, including The Phoenician and Gainey Ranch, and in recent years has grown to service Arizona’s most prestigious communities in the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Biltmore area of Phoenix. For more information about Scottsdale Luxury Homes or Scottsdale Luxury Properties please visit us at: Scottsdale Luxury Homes

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The credit crunch has made some headteachers apply the brakes and limit their increases so that they hover around the rate of inflation. Others are storming ahead, though, with St Paul’s School for Girls leading the pack with an increase of a 14 per cent for 2008/2009.

This year Vicky Tuck, head of Cheltenham Ladies College, has restricted her fee increase to four per cent “in anticipation of harder times to come”. With inflation running at 3.8 per cent currently, it’s a competitive move. The City of London School for boys is one of the few top schools to keep its current increase below the rate of inflation, with a rise of just two per cent. The school is based in the Square Mile and educates a large number of bankers’ sons, so with rumours of jobs in jeopardy and falling bonuses, it’s a prudent move.

Prestige comes at a price
To send your daughter to Cheltenham Ladies’ College in 2008 will cost £28,735 for the year or £9578 per term. These figures are representative of the cost of the famous, exclusive and long-established independent boarding schools in Britain, such as Eton, Roedean and Harrow.

Small class sizes mean more attention Search within a slightly lower price range and you’ll find a wealth of boarding schools that may not have the kudos of the famous schools but offer a superb all-round education. For instance, in 2007 at St Catherine’s School in Bramley 93.7 per cent of pupils achieve grade A/B at A level and the school is ranked 43rd in The Sunday Times league table of independent secondary schools. In 2008, fees for boarders are £6840 per term (or £20,520 per year), which is a significant saving on the more famous independents.

To get a great education at a competitive price you have to weigh up what is important to you and your children. For instance, Talbot Heath School in Bournemouth may not have the dreaming spires of Charterhouse and the heritage of Eton, but it has a strong academic record and is priced competitively at £2150 per term for boarders.

It’s interesting to note that in the 2007 Sunday Times league table for independent secondary schools, Talbot Heath was placed joint 79th with Benenden, which costs £9180 per term.

Day schools that don’t break the bank
Private day schools can be a more affordable alternative to boarding schools. Fees tend to start at around £2500 per term and some schools will allow you to pay monthly from your salary, which many people find more manageable than three hefty bills a year.

Fees at the prestigious inner London day schools range between £3500 and £6700 per term, but outside the capital costs tend to inflict less damage on the wallet. Plus, the further north you go, the lower school fees tend to be.

For instance, the High School of Glasgow, ranked joint first in The Sunday Times league table of independent Scottish secondary schools, charges fees of £2460 per term in senior school. The oldest school in Scotland, it dates back to 1124 and includes two prime ministers in its alumni (Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and Andrew Bonar Law), as well as broadcaster and ‘Grumpy Old Woman’, Muriel Gray.

In the Midlands and the north of England, many former grammar schools that are now independent day schools offer similar value for money and an excellent all-round education. For instance, fees at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle are £2354 a term in junior school and £2793 in senior school, and can be paid at the beginning of term or by direct debit in 10 installments. Results are impressive, with 90.5 per cent of pupils gaining grade A or B at A-level.

Savings for families
Some private schools offer a reduction in fees of between 10 or 20 per cent if you send several children to the same school. There are caveats, however. The reduction may only be applicable to the third child in a family and all of your children may have to be in attendance at the school for you to qualify for the discount.

Scholarships and bursaries can make private education affordable to some families, and 30 per cent of children in independent schools receive some form of assistance. Read our articles on scholarships and bursaries for more information.

Once you’ve budgeted for fees it’s so important to bear in mind the extra costs, such as uniform, school trips, sports kit and club membership. A typical bill shows all these extras in our feature on how to cut costs.

School fees: 2008/9

Boarding schools

Cheltenham Ladies College £28,734
Eton College £28,080
Charterhouse £27,480
Day schools

Abbey, Reading £10,980
Leeds Grammar £9594
Manchester High School for Girls £8634

Abigail Hunter is a contributor to http://www.tom-brown.com – the essential guide to choosing a British school

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Most parents find that traditional public or private schools cannot effectively prepare their children for the rigors and requirements associated with attending a top college or university. Often, these schools are overcrowded, under funded, and staffed by unqualified teachers, ensuring that only a few of the self-sufficient students who attend them will actually receive the education they deserve or have paid for. For most parents, this is simply not an acceptable situation.

Unlike traditional public and private schools, distance learning schools are set up specifically to be able to personally serve and meet the needs of individual students. Whether it means one-on-one tutoring, or lessons that are designed for a student’s specific learning style, distance learning private schools have proven to be more than up to the task of educating and preparing students for success in higher education. In fact, today’s most reputable distance learning schools can boast of an incredible record in terms of preparing their students for college. The vast majority of students in distance learning schools, often 85% to 90%, attend college upon graduation.

These statistics are not surprising, especially when one considers that the very nature and purpose of a distance learning school is to prepare students for admission and success in college. By providing students with individual attention, professionally developed lessons, and a curriculum that is certified and recognized by top-notch accrediting organizations, distance learning schools are now consider a legitimate academic alternative to public or private traditional schools.

The higher than average admission rates are often attributable to the amount of time that is spent in developing various aspects of the program, from SAT prep courses designed to increase student test scores, to honors, advanced placement, and college prep courses intended to introduce students to the academic requirements of college, distance learning schools are experiencing high levels of success when it comes to educating college-bound students.

For the homeschooling parent looking to provide a child with an officially accredited education while still avoiding the many problems associated with traditional private and public schools, distance learning education is definitely a viable option. Not only are distance learning private schools officially accredited by organizations like WASC, but over time, they have proven to be just as effective in educating students and preparing them for success at the college level.

To learn more about a quality, distance learning private school please visit Laurel Springs School. Laurel Springs School is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience based on your child’s learning style.

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One of the first benefits of the private or Christian based schools is the fact that the teachers are used to children with learning disabilities. This gives your child an advantage these teachers are used to giving extra time and attention to a child having a problems understanding a certain subject in a class.

Many of these teachers go above, and beyond to help the child to understand. The teachers do not just rush each child through the lessons and books to get to the next year and the next batch of children as in the public schools.

Another benefit of the private or Christian based schools is the peer pressure. It is sad but ever so true that children are mean and cruel to others who have difficulties in learning. By placing your child in a private or Christian school this is much less likely to happen as all of these children are in the same situation and all will have some type of learning disability. Therefore, there will be no name-calling and the child’s self-esteem will not suffer.

In addition, a private or Christian school is a strictly disciplined atmosphere this has benefits as well. Your child will be learning instead of wasting time and goofing off. Most parents’ tend to lean toward the Christian based schools. This way there children are being taught not only discipline but also growing spiritually in the process. This is an important factor in the current state of the world.

These types of school offer all of the classes and learning standards of the public schools. The teachers are all qualified to teach and have their degrees in teaching. So you do not need to worry that your child will not be getting all he or she needs to make it out in the world.

The private and Christian based schools may be a little on the expensive side is the only downfall. However, when you take into consideration all that you child will be getting out of the school the cost is the least important thing you will worry about. The most important things is that you child is learning and your child is not being subjected to the constant harassment of undisciplined children in the private schools as before. The private or Christian school will be well worth the money spent for tuition.

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1. Private Schools have the best specialized and trained teachers.
This is one of the most crucial differences between public and non-public school. With better teachers, thus, one can infer that a private school will deliver a higher standard of education

2. They tend to have smaller class sizes than most non-private schools.
The average class size for a public school is around 30 students while the class size for a private school is around 18 students. With budget cuts sweeping down various states including California, class sizes are expected to rise with many layoffs.

3. State budget cuts don’t affect schools that get money from the state.
Most public schools are making concessions to try and reduce their overall expenses, cutting down useful programs and teachers. However, schools not funded by the state are hardly making any reductions in their overall economic budge.

4. Also, Students are motivated to preform higher in independent schools than in state funded schools.
Because parents and guardians are paying for their student’s education, the students are pressured to preform well and impress their parents.

5. Private Schools typically have better built schools and more funding for sports.
Although this may not be true for all private and independent schools, most have modern or upgraded infrastructure and better funding for sports. With a better looking school many parents and students feel a sense of pride and school spirit. Also, increased funding for sports helps school spirit as students are more likely to enjoy a winning team.

However, some private schools are difficult and extremely prestigious in the way they recruit future students. They often require exams such as the ISEE and the SSAT, which as an SAT for college.

If you want your child to be well prepared or want to learn more about these exams, click here, and discover how you can help your child with their education and let them into the private school of their dreams

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Why Choose a Private School Education?

Those sending their children to private schools have a variety of motives behind their decision. For some the decision is based on moral values and religion. Others feel that a private education offers better academics and want their child in a smaller class that will offer the benefit of more personal attention.

It is important to have a list of education priorities before you start looking for a school. For example, if academics are more important to you than religion, but religion is more important to you than extracurricular activities, have academics be number one on your list, religion be number two on your list and extracurricular activities be number three on your list.

Private School Considerations

As part of choosing the right private school for your child, you will have to go through a process of elimination to get the number of schools you are considering down to a manageable number.

You might want to consider:

* Finances. What can you afford to pay for an education at a private school? Ask if there are any financial aid or scholarship programs available to you. In addition, some states, including Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, offer breaks on income taxes if you send your kids to a private school.
* Grade Levels. Do you want your child to have the option to stay through high school? Not all private schools offer grades kindergarten through 12.
* Location. You will have to decide how far you are willing to drive. As you get closer to selecting a school, you can also inquire if there are any other students at the school who live in your area. You may then be able to carpool.

Questions to Ask

Additional questions to ask include:

* Accreditation. Is the school accredited? If so, who is the accreditation body?
* Instruction Model. What is the school’s education philosophy? Does it have a traditional or alternative approach to education? What is the school’s policy on homework, grading and testing?
* Service Staff. What kind of staff does the school have? Is there a school nurse on location? Does the school have a psychologist or counselor? Is there a librarian on staff?
* Principal or Headmaster Turnover. If the school burns through principals, the school may have a problem.
* Teacher Turnover. What is the teacher turnover rate at the school? Typically speaking, private schools have higher teacher turnover rates than do public schools. In addition, smaller private schools have larger turnover than do larger private schools. However, a teacher turnover rate of 40% or more may be an indication of problems at the school.

Plan a Visit

As you get closer to choosing a private school, you should schedule an appointment with your candidate schools’ headmaster or principal.

* Ask about student attrition. The longer that students stay at a school, the more likely the school is to be well-run.
* Ask for names of parents who have children at the school for references.
* Are the school’s textbooks up to date?
* Does the school have enough computers? Does the school use the latest in technology in teaching?
* Does the school have programs for parent involvement?
* How does the school feel? Are children interacting, smiling and participating?
* How does the school qualify their teachers? Does the school offer teachers additional training?
* If your child has special needs, what types of programs does the school offer that will help?
* Look at the grounds and facilities. How new are the facilities? How well are the facilities and grounds maintained? Is the library well-stocked with books?
* What type of relationship does the school have with local businesses and the local community?
* When are applications accepted? Is there a waiting list? If so, how long is the waiting list?

Making the Choice

You will have to narrow down your choices to a select few and then visit each school before you make a final decision. Do not get discouraged if the process takes a little longer than you would like. It is important to get an education for your child that matches the your requirements as closely as possible.

For more information on private school, visit the parenting section of Life123.com.

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However, when times get tough, especially financially, many parents are often forced to make difficult decisions regarding the education of their children. In some cases, the cost of attending a traditional private school is more than the cost of attending some smaller colleges and universities. Most of the time, the additional cost of attending a traditional school is too much of a financial burden for parents to manage. Despite the obvious benefits of doing so, finances often keep parents from enrolling their children in traditional private schools.

Today, parents have an option that will still allow them to send their children to a private school, but at a fraction of the cost of a traditional private school. The option, which is increasing in popularity more and more each day, is to enroll children in an accredited distance learning private school.

In terms of economics, a distance learning program can cost a family about one third of what tuition at a traditional private school can cost. In fact, saving money is one of the reasons why distance learning private school have become increasingly popular with parents and families who are looking for the private school education without having to pay the private school price. Along with saving a family money on tuition, distance learning education can also save a family money on many of the additional costs that are normally associated with traditional learning schools, such as uniforms, textbooks, and gasoline, since there is no need for anyone to have to drive to school. Distance learning schools, by their very approach, also provide their students with additional services that private schools often charge extra fees for. Things like private tutoring and individual lessons plans are usually services that parents have to pay a private school more for.

One additional financial benefit of attending a private school through a distance learning program is the amount of time that it can open up for an enrolled student. A student who, for example, needs a schedule that will allow him or her to work should definitely consider attending a distance learning private school. Rather than have to worry about scheduling conflicts, a student with a job can always attend class around her or his work schedule rather than vice versa.

As people across the country look for ways that will save them money, or allow them to make money, distance learning through an online private school will not only save money, but it will still offer enrolled students the opportunity to receive a top-notch education which on its own will open up future opportunities for success.

To learn more about the accredited, distance learning private school please visit Laurel Springs School. Laurel Springs School is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience based on your child’s learning style.

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The parent who wishes to send a child to private school in hopes that it will prepare him or her for college can always consider enrollment in a distance learning private school. Although physically different than a traditional private school, a distance learning private school is by no means less qualified to educate a student and prepare him or her for the rigors of college.

Distance learning schools, especially in this current economic environment, represent a very economical option to more expensive and costly traditional private schools, for various reasons.

• A considerably cheaper alternative – Economically and statistically speaking, tuition at most distance learning private schools costs only a fraction of what tuition costs at traditional private schools. In some cases, tuition at a distance learning school can cost about a quarter of that at a traditional private school.

• No “hidden” fees – Private schools, like other traditional schools, often have events and activities that can add to their overall cost. Whether it is a ticket for the prom, a yearbook, or an activity card, there always seems to be something to pay for at a private school. With a distance learning private school, many of these extra costs are avoided, since the focus is entirely on education.

• Leave the driving to us – It seems silly, but by attending school online through a distance learning program can save parents a bundle on fuel charges. By not having to drive a student to and from school, parents can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year.

• Uniforms not required – Going to school online means not having to deal with spending money on uniforms. Most private schools have a dress code of some type, whether it is requiring that students wear polo shirts or a shirt, tie, and coat. For parents, this means yet another thing they have to pay for. Again, this is not a problem with a distance learning private school, since students will attend class from the comfort of their home.

• All inclusive – Much of the supplemental help that students need in order to succeed in private school is often available to them, at an additional cost. Tutoring and private lessons, if available at the school, usually cost a bit more. With a distance learning program, students generally receive this additional help as part of the overall package.

To learn more about a quality, distance learning private school please visit Laurel Springs School. Laurel Springs School is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience based on your child’s learning style.

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What happens when the decision to attend private school backfires and a student does not succeed? Besides losing out on a significant amount of money, parents whose children have to transfer out of private school have to make a decision as to whether or not their child will now move on to public school, or find another alternative.

For most parents, the reason why they enrolled their child in a private school in the first place was because of the many benefits it offers, both in terms of a general education, as well as for the preparation it gives students who are looking to pursue their education beyond high school. So what is a parent to do? If private school is just not working out, do they have an equivalent option?

The answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. There are in fact many advantages to attending a distance learning private school that make the change from a traditional private school not seem like such a huge transition. Regardless of the reasons for why a student has to transfer from a traditional private school, distance learning private schools can offer a student many benefits. To start, distance learning private schools have a curriculum that is aligned to state standards, meaning that the classes that a student will take while enrolled will be worth the same in the eyes of a college or university when compared to the classes at a traditional private school.

Distance learning private schools also offer their students something that a traditional private school would never offer – the opportunity to go to class when time allows them to. Scheduling is just one reason why transitioning to a distance learning private school from a traditional one. Additional benefits include no longer having to deal with many of the environmental conditions that plague traditional schools, public or private, such as safety and overcrowding.

Distance learning private schools also offer students the opportunity to receive one-on-one attention, a perk that might not be available at a traditional private school. Other benefits that can make transferring from a traditional private to a distance learning private school worthwhile include freedom from having to drive to and from school, self-paced studying and learning, a schedule that is very flexible, as well as the ability to attend classes regardless of the student’s geographic location at the time.

Whether the reasons are economic or academic, having to leave a private school is often a difficult decision to make. However, with the option of attending distance learning private schools now being more viable than ever, students and parents who have to experience this transition now have an option that will not force them to compromise their education.

To learn more about the accredited, distance learning private school please visit Laurel Springs School. Laurel Springs School is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience based on your child’s learning style.

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Once parents have decided that their child needs more than the public elementary schools in Ottawa can offer, they have the decision of which Ottawa private school best suits the needs of their child. Parents must begin the process of identifying the schools they think are suitable, evaluating them, selecting the ones they like and sending in the applications.

When considering Ottawa’s private schools, there are a number of factors parents should consider beyond the obvious question of tuition rates.

Ottawa offers a variety of French language schools, of course. In addition, there is a rich variety of private school philosophies and religious affiliations to choose from including several Christian schools, Montessori schools, Muslim or Jewish schools, Waldorf Schools and even a virtual private school based in Ottawa.

Location may be an important consideration. There are many private and independent day schools throughout the Ottawa region, such as Ashbury College, Counterpoint Academy, Elmwood School, Joan of Arc Academy, Lycée Claudel, Macdonald-Cartier Academy, Westboro Academy.

When evaluating the various schools, also make sure that you know and understand the reputation of the school, the principal or headmaster and its teachers.

* What reference points can the school offer to convince you that it is the right Ottawa-area private school for your child?

* Meet with teachers to find out their philosophies and their commitment to children.

* Consider how up-to-date the technology, sports and education facilities are.

For Ottawa parents interested in acquiring a private education for their children there are few places in Canada that can offer more than the nation’s capital city of Ottawa, Ontario.

If you have made the decision to enroll your child in an Ottawa private school, you have taken a step towards providing your child with the best possible education. The next step is to choose the right Ottawa school, and you have many private schools to consider. To learn more about the different options available for your child, visit http://www.ottawaprivateschools.com/

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