But can schools truly be ranked? And how helpful are these rankings to anyone, no matter what level or kind of education they are looking for? School authorities themselves insist on cautioning against any kind of rankings.

Several years ago, when his institution was ranked number one in a Fraser Institute Report Card, Headmaster Hugh Burke of Meadowridge School (near Vancouver, BC), was more “appalled” than pleased. Jack Rice, Principal at a Canadian Montessori school, says he tells parents to put away their check book until they tell him why they think his school is right for their child. Gord Allan, one time Principal in Vancouver says, “There’s no such thing as the number one school. But there is such a thing as the best school for your child.”

School open houses allow parents to get a feel for the life of the school. Parents can also take a tour with the principal or another school representative. Events such as the Vancouver Private School Expo allow parents to meet face-to-face with teachers and other representatives from a variety of schools.

The answer to the question, “what is the best educational environment for our child” ought to be treated with the same gravity as the purchase of a new home or a career change.

Arthur Ryan is one parent who was satisfied that he and his wife spent a long time choosing the right school for their daughter. Primary factors in their decision were answers to the questions:

Can the school articulate its vision, values and mission statement simply and with clarity?

Would our child’s needs be best served by a single-gender or coed learning experience?

What values are reflected in the scheduling of academic and extracurricular activities?

Every child and family has unique needs and values. These certainly begin with the academic and social life of the individual child. Other practical considerations that cannot be ignored might include driving distance, tuition rates and boarding fees. Of course, there are many others as well. In the end, school ranking should have very limited influence on parents’ decision, as teachers and experienced parents strongly agree.

J James Huinink is the website editor for Canada’s premier authority on private schools. Ourkids.net features listings of boarding schools, Montessori schools, a private school search and a wealth of advice on choosing the best private school for your child(ren).

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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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I think the most commonly implemented schooling method is public school. Public school has a lot to offer. Many public schools get funding from state and federal grants in addition to the budget that gets created by the taxes you pay. This allows public schools the freedom to keep specialists like speech pathologists as full-time staff. Any additional help your child might need, whether it is special education help or just tutoring, public schools are there to meet those needs. As long as your local school district has been showing through testing that it meets the requirements set by the state (which most do) you can feel comfortable sending your child to public school.

Homeschooling is another wonderful option, but it is much more difficult to implement productively. In order for homeschooling to serve your child’s needs you need to be very organized and know the information being taught. Although I graduated high school and got very good grades along the way I doubt I’d be able to remember enough to feel confident teaching my children. Children will also argue much more with a parent than with a teacher, so if your child is not going to be cooperative during the home-school process make sure you will have enough patience to handle the disagreements productively. And of course if both parents work outside the home this option disappears.

There are many different kinds of private school: Montessori schools, ones run by religious institutions, even boarding schools for children. There are far too many options in this category for me to cover it all, so I will speak about private schools as a whole. Although not great for every family or child, some children really do thrive in these more structured environments. Private schools tend to have higher academic and behavioral standards for the children to meet. Although this leaves less time for socialization (which is important, too) it allows your gifted child the opportunity to excel. Public schools don’t always have the capability to challenge gifted children, but private schools will challenge any child. When considering this option, look to your child’s temperament. Some children will prefer a private school over public school.

With so many options regarding you children’s education, it’s no wonder the decision is overwhelming. Just keep in mind that they are all the “right” option. There is nothing wrong with the schools you choose, no matter what your mother-in-law might tell you. So look into the options that are available for your family and decide with confidence. If you are putting thought into what’s best for your child’s future then you are doing the right thing.

Gabriella Gometra, stay-at-home mother and writer, writes about a diverse number of topics, like ATV mud tires and 4 wheeler tires.

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Class size may be the determining factor of whether or not a student succeeds. Many private schools also offer class sizes as small as five; in this situation, the teacher acts more as a mentor to guide the students in all areas of life, as needed. In a smaller class, teachers can give individual attention and no student is allowed to slip through the cracks. Each student’s voice has an opportunity to be heard; this can make all the difference in a child’s academic career.

Another factor to be considered is the school’s budget. Because private schools are funded mainly by tuition, they have the power to raise that tuition to fit their needs. They also can raise significant amounts of money through alliances with their alumni. A school’s budget may depend on the economical statistics of its area, as well as its alumni support. If the school’s budget is well provided, then it can offer more programs for the students to excel in. Student population also may affect budget; if there are less students, then the lack of tuition may result in either scant funds or high tuition to make up for it. Because of their far-reaching effects, both class size and budget are two major factors when choosing a private school for your child.

Ideal Schools, LLC (http://www.idealschools.org) offers world-class education as a leader of Northern Virginia Private Schools. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.

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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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Determine your Child Needs: Before you even start looking for a private school, you should be aware of your child’s particular needs. You want to make sure your child does not end up in a poor quality private school. For instance, you want to know all of the extra curricular activities that are offered to make sure there is a variety that your child can choose from and if the particular activity that your child has an interest is being offered. As well, you have to consider such needs as any learning or physical disabilities your child might have, transportation services, and the distance from the school to your home. There are also general qualities to look for such as the quality of the teachers and education curriculum. You also have to consider the type of school such as boys or girls schools, religious, military…etc. Determining your child’s needs will help reduce the number of schools you will have to look at.

Educational Requirements: You should look at the education programs at the school. Look at how modern the school is regarding such areas as science labs, computer technology…etc. Does the school have large or small classrooms? How involved are the parents with the children’s education. Does the school keep in contact with the parents and give them updates regularly? What type of education programs are offered such as music, theater, art…etc? Are there clubs children can join?

School’s Background: It is important to get an understanding of what the school is all about. Find out such information as the school’s mission, vision, policies, and philosophy. What types of services are offered such as medical, library, and counseling? Find out the background and the qualifications of the teachers and their grading policies. It is very important that the school you choose is accredited.

Visit the School: When you visit the school, assess the environment, school dress code, and how they meet special needs. (Wheel chair accessible) Look for displayed school projects such as art work. As well, look for any awards the school may have received. Try to talk to members of the faculty. Find out what universities and colleges graduates of the private school have attended. Assess the overall atmosphere of the school. Is it warm and inviting? Do the students look happy? Find out what the requirements are to get into the school. (i.e. tests, interview) Look at the school’s resources such as the Library, lunchroom, and physical education facilities. You should also find out the school’s discipline policy as well as its student safety policy.

Every parent wants the best education for their child. When selecting a private school, one is making a large investment in their child’s future. It is important that parents do their research so that they, and their child, are happy with the private school they choose.

Private schools in Toronto, offering a balanced curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten, independent school in Toronto through to University and College entrance.

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The main advantages are high academic standards, good examination results, sound discipline, superior facilities and a commitment to a wide range of sport and extra-curricular activities. UK private education has a long history steeped with tradition and can offer a unique cultural environment for the education of children where the focus is on the development and care of the individual. Pupils are encouraged to develop their talents and to pursue new interests through clubs and societies, sport, outdoor activities and community service. Meetings are often arranged between schools at which pupils can meet and share interests.

A great strength of the private education sector is the choice and diversity it offers. Regardless of their child’s ability, parents can choose “girls” or “boys” only schools or co-educational schools; schools which are boarding or day schools; senior or junior; rural or urban; large or small. Independent schools are available to provide education from age 3 to 19. Many schools provide help for children whose first language is not English, and special tuition is available. Guardianship arrangements are available for those whose families live outside the United Kingdom, and many other practical details such as transport to and from airports are looked after by the schools, working in partnership with the parents.

This sector achieves the highest academic standards. Evidence from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) suggests that pupils at all levels of ability do better in private schools. More than 80% of pupils at private education gain five or more GCSE passes at grades A-C compared to a national average of 49%. Independent school performance at A-Level is equally impressive and 90% of leavers from independent schools go on to higher education.

Why Choose Private Education

• Independent education offers many advantages:
• excellent academic results and high expectations, small class sizes and attention to individual needs
• high degree of specialisation
• a wide range of extra curricular activities: opportunities for sport, drama, music, and special activities
• high levels of investment in facilities
• the option of boarding – full, weekly or flexible
• good discipline and the encouragement of a responsible attitude to work
• diversity, catering for differing ethos and philosophy
• help for special needs
• traditional values
• private education often boosts earning potential because pupils benefit from smaller classes and better teachers.

Disrupting a child’s private education midway through a vital stage would be very unfortunate, so it is important to prepare for the commitment of paying fees for several years.

It is in most cases possible to significantly reduce the financial burden of school fees with professional advice on planning strategies, SFIA would typically save parents tens of thousands on the cost of private education.

Reduce the cost of education by 50% or more! Specialists at providing School Fees Advice to parents to help plan fees to ensure continuous & independent education for their children. For more details visit us at http://www.schoolfeesadvice.org

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Step one: make a list. Any shopping endeavor, and that is exactly what looking for a private school is at its most basic level, starts with drawing up a list. In the case of big-ticket items, such as a private education, one would be wise to draw up a list of their needs and wants. Does one need boarding, on-campus cafeteria, a specific program with a high reputation, or perhaps a school with a religious affiliation is desirable. Make a list that includes what one needs and wants, and it may also be worth pointing out things that one does not want in a private school or private education.

Step two: get help. Start by researching these schools online, but realize that savvy organizations of all kinds might be using advertising agencies, in house staff, or both to craft their online image. Try to verify each and every statement possible rather than simply taking someone’s word for it, regardless of how positive or negative the comment(s) may be. It may also make sense to consider hiring an educational consultant that knows the industry well and is able to point to case studies, comparative scores on standardized tests, or other factual information that may be of interest.

Step three: take time to make visits. Any schools that meet the criteria laid out before the background checks and/or consulting took place are worth a visit, even if they are in another state. In fact, the tendency for boarding to be part of out-of-state private schooling experiences is actually a great argument for visiting the school rather than a reason to cross such schools off of one’s list. Of course, some people will already know at the end of step one whether or not boarding is something that they are interested in.

Step four: admissions and testing. It may be worth taking the admissions tests for multiple private schools before making any decisions. Each private school reserves the right to maintain its own admissions process, so be prepared for a lot of paperwork. The more schools that one chooses to apply for, the more paperwork one should expect.

Some might argue that a fifth step applies as well, that of being financially prepared. While financial preparation is certainly advisable, it is difficult to plan for without knowing the specifics of the case, the school, or the fees involved. That being said, learning to save is a critical part of being able to afford private schools.

Tim Kress writes articles about Lake Forest real estate, Behrens Ranch homes for sale, and Anderson Mill West real estate. Other articles written by the #1 REMAX Team can be found online. Tim Kress, a Mayfield Ranch Realtor, and team are with REMAX 1 in Cedar Park, Texas and specialize in Cedar Park real estate.

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In considering the main question, why do parents pull their children out and place them in private schools? From what I have seen in 40 years of teaching in private schools, the number one factor seems to be that teachers are mistreating their child. Of course, children have a slanted perspective of how one is supposed to be treated. Parents will believe their children, which is only natural. However, parents should ask for a conference with the teacher to bring things into a manageable perspective. It is always wise for the child to be at this conference also because more than likely the child will admit to their own misgivings.

Then, on the other hand there is mistreatment from teachers from time to time. We hear on the communication air waves, where teachers have sexually assaulted students. Once this teacher is apprehended they are dealt with by the law enforcement system.

Another factor is that parents think that private schools are reform schools. Parents are not fully aware of the fact that if they hide the information about behavioral problems, teachers WILL find out. Teachers might not see that there is a problem until the honeymoon time is over and that is when unmanageable behavior sets in. All of the training in the world, as far as psychology, sociology, and other such courses go, do not prepare teachers for what can actually happen in the classroom.

In closing, I will relate to you, what happened to one of my students three years ago. She was in Pickens County public schools. She was a smart student with impeccable behavior. One day she went to the restroom. There was an older student, who was in the fifth grade. After this girl came out of the stall, the fifth grade girl sexually assaulted this younger girl. To make a lengthy story short, the fifth grader presented a strong case for herself, as she and her parents met with the school authorities. The bottom line is this: the board believed the fifth grader, who said she did no such thing. The younger girl was punished for lying. At that point they call me and we enrolled her and she has been with our school ever since.

It is clear that our private schools play an important role in the education of our children. Support quality education, support your local private schools.

Janie Ferrel has a passion for any students needing to finish school. Not only does she help students locally and around the country, she has established a website which allows any adult in the US to finally get their high school diploma. If you need your high school diploma she may be able to help you too.

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Public School Problems

Federal laws such as IDEA and ADA as well as state and local statues mandate that children with special needs must be allowed access to the public educational system and the public schools must accommodate their needs. As parents soon discover, what sounds good on paper doesn’t always work out in reality.

Parents naturally expect that teachers and administrators already are familiar with the regulations governing special education, but that’s not always true. Many public schools don’t know the laws and will not provide needed assistance. It is up to parents to learn their child’s rights and educate the educators. Unfortunately this may not solve the problem.

Public schools are notoriously underfunded and overworked. Special education school expenses are much, much higher for the schools than those for traditional students and, though there are state and federal programs to defray the costs, some schools are hard pressed to provide help needed even when spelled out in an IEP.

Private School as a Transition to Public School

Another challenge to public education may be the child’s capabilities. Many children with disabilities haven’t been able to learn the skills needed to function in public school, even in a special education program. Then find public school very stressful and may perform poorly. As they grow frustrated, the educational process becomes a nightmare.

Private special education schools are able to instill these children with the capabilities necessary to flourish in a public education setting. Special needs student who have done poorly in public schools may thrive after spending a couple of years in a focused special education school that focuses on building the social, physical and academic skills they need to do well in school. As our children change, so do the education options available to them.

Private Schools for Focused Education

Many parents of special needs kids find private special education schools are their best option. These facilities are able to concentrate on each child’s unique needs to provide a customized educational experience unlike what schools in the public are able to offer.

A common obstacle for families considering private special education schools is the cost of tuition. Unlike state funded schools, private educational institutions are not free. However many tuition assistance programs exist to help families cover the associated expenses, and the high quality education the children received is truly priceless.

The public vs. private school debate is not a situation with an easy answer. While many families find private education preferable, each family must consider how each educational option fits best with their child’s abilities and needs.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about special education, please visit http://www.aaronacad.org/admissions.php.

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