Today, when we talk about the lines drawn between racial groups, socio-economic classes, and income brackets, the issues often boil down to education—who gets the best access to education, or more crudely, who gets to be educated? It is understood by most, as affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that education is a fundamental human right, as it is both a means and an end. Education grants us the power to surpass historical lines of class and emboldens us to wield knowledge in powerful and beneficial ways. 

Though this sentiment is acknowledged and reiterated by policymakers across the globe, we still see many disparities in the world of education. Many communities, including but not limited to low-income families, racial minorities, and individuals with disabilities, are not well-accommodated by the public education system, which (understandably) targets the majority average group. 

I believe that the education system, in many ways, fails to utilize available resources to educate young people who do not fall into the historical average. Teachers, in my opinion, are not compensated or supported well considering the weight of the jobs they have in emboldening the next generations. I’d like to introduce other options for education and share some common sentiments that compare and contrast them to public education. It’s important to note that though many of the pros and cons introduced will be widely applicable to grade school and beyond, I focus primarily on grade school education, with a greater emphasis on high school education.

Private/Independent Schooling

Many view private schooling as a sort of antithesis to public schooling, with promises of “better” teachers and more available resources and accommodations in areas where public schooling is often criticized for falling short. Private schools offer smaller class sizes, unique academic offerings (AP, IB, AVID, etc.), and boast higher student performance on standardized tests and holistic assessments. They often have a unique take on curricula, as they do not have to adhere to precedents for course design. Moreover, some parents feel as though public schooling may push certain moral or political narratives that they disapprove of, and believe that private schooling minimizes student exposure to these normative ideas. Regardless of what you might believe about this sentiment, it’s important to understand that the kind of education students receive is up to their parents’ choice, underscoring how important it is for parents to weigh the pros and cons of options in education.

Another form of non-public schooling takes place in independent schools, which often get mistaken as private schools. Though they share many similarities—flexible curricula, tuition costs, and more—independent schools are non-profit institutions funded by a board of trustees, while private schools can be run by a variety of entities.

So, we know that private/independent schools provide “higher-quality” education (higher test scores, more accommodations, etc.), so what’s the catch? The most obvious con of private schooling is the hefty tuition cost of enrollment, which averages roughly $16,000 USD per year and varies depending on the location and academic promises provided. In America, the average total household income is around $80,000. Most households cannot afford to send their children to private schools, especially single-parent households and historically marginalized groups. Moreover, many students who attend private/independent schools express that it doesn’t sufficiently prepare them for the “real world”, since they exist for many years in a social bubble where they are shielded from people different from themselves.

All in all, private schools are a good option for families who (1) are able and willing to pay hefty tuition fees and (2) are looking for a specialized program or curriculum for their children. Many private schools have reputations known by prestigious colleges in the area, and attending one of these schools can certainly set students up for success. However, it’s important to note that private schools are not for everyone, independent of the cost. Public schooling may be a better option if parents desire a holistic education experience for their children in a larger school setting where different people and ideas can interact (and it helps that it is the default!).

Homeschooling

Another option for grade-school education, which has gained popularity particularly since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is homeschooling. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of homeschooled students in America grew from 5.4% in early 2020 to 11.1% by late 2021, underscoring its increasing appeal. Homeschooling boasts an unparalleled level of customization, with parents playing the roles of the educators and enforcers of learning. Students with disabilities, special needs, gifted skills, and other accommodations may find higher academic achievement with the homeschooling model since their parents can cater the curricula to their needs and skills. This flexibility may also be beneficial if students have notable time-intensive scheduling conflicts, such as athletics or performing arts.

Other reasons for choosing family homeschooling include the same personal values and religious beliefs that motivate parents to educate their children through the private schooling system. Some prefer homeschooling to maintain their worldview on certain matters and avoid particular themes that they may believe are too controversial in mainstream schools’ syllabus systems. For example, some parents wish to ensure their children believe in a certain religion, or wish to shelter their children from drugs and alcohol.

Despite its advantages, homeschooling also has notable drawbacks. One major conflict is the heavy parental responsibility it requires; parents, who already are tasked with earning money to support their families, may not have the time or energy to also take on the role of an educator. In traditional public schooling, certified educators manage lesson planning, instruction, and assessments, while homeschooling places all of these responsibilities on parents, who may lack a background in education.

Another area of concern is socialization. Both public and private schools offer immediate opportunities for children to be around other children their age. Homeschooled students may have to rely on external activities such as community sports, co-ops, or other homeschool groups for social interaction. These experiences are heavily dependent on a family’s involvement in social activities. Homeschooled students also typically have limited access to special resources, such as labs, libraries, athletic facilities, and school-specific extracurricular activities. However, some states and regions allow homeschooled students unique access to these facilities, so it certainly depends on the area and circumstances.

Ultimately, homeschooling is a viable option for families who value individualized learning, personalized content, and flexibility, though it does require immense commitment on the part of the parents and proactive efforts to socialize students. While some students do exceptionally well through the homeschooling model, others may benefit more from the structured and social environment of traditional schooling models. This determination is ultimately up to the parents, who understand the needs and skills of their children best.

My Experience

Numbers and facts only go so far — opinions and testimonies are often the deciding factor. As someone who has spent time in independent and public schooling, I feel as though I have experienced firsthand many of their benefits and pitfalls.

Public schools, in my opinion, did at least attempt to help students who either struggled or excelled. In my elementary and middle school, there were often two or three different levels for major subjects like math and reading, and students tested into these classes via standardized tests or teacher recommendation. I do think there is work being done to better accommodate students’ academic skills, so in my personal experience, this was never a big issue. My main “complaint” about public school was the class size; each class often had around 30-40 students, making it difficult to really even know all of your classmates' names from class to class. For context, my middle school class was ~200 students, over twice the number of my graduating class from independent school.

I later attended an independent Christian school, with a class size of around 80 students. I wholeheartedly enjoyed the sense of community in the school, since it felt like everyone knew everyone, students and staff alike. I felt that my time there was enriching and beneficial in those formative years of high school, as I felt comfortable to ask questions, learn, and make friends. However, I won’t sugarcoat the tuition, and I certainly do not think it is a necessary commitment, as there are issues with small communities as well. Many of my peers, who spent K-12 in this community, shared that they felt like they weren’t aptly prepared for the “real world”, where not everyone shared the same religion and friend groups. In my opinion, this environment was beneficial, but perhaps a full K-12 experience with the same community and people is not.

Overall, I would endorse both public and private/independent schooling, as my experiences in both were overwhelmingly positive.

Conclusion

While public schooling remains the most widely used form of education, alternative models offer unique benefits that better cater to those who stray from the target average group. Private schools provide specialized curricula and resources, but come with high costs and potential social limitations. Homeschooling offers unmatched flexibility, but demands significant parental commitment and intensive socialization efforts.

Ultimately, the kind of educational model parents choose for their children heavily depends on their priorities, financial situation, and their children’s traits and skills. No system is universally superior, as each has strengths and weaknesses to consider and may be better or worse on a case-by-case basis. I hope my research, opinions, and experiences bring some value to you, whether you’re a curious reader or a concerned parent, and that we can work together to ensure students benefit from their education.