The Pros And Cons Of Public And Private Schools In Detroit

Moving to a city as big as Detroit is always challenging. Many new to Detroit are overwhelmed at first; different parts of the city can actually be quite opposite from one another. If you are new to the city, you may be wondering if you’ve settled into the city that is right for you if you’re investing in good property, and much more. But with that being said, this move is perhaps the most challenging for parents. Not only do parents have to deal with the typical issues of helping their children adjust to the new environment that Detroit offers; they also have to tackle the issues surrounding schooling.

While the type of public school your child would attend will be decided by what district you settle into, that doesn’t mean your child must attend public school at all. Private school is an option in Detroit just as it is anywhere else in the country, and there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to a private school education. There are, of course, a number of different options to choose from within the private school sphere; an estimated 25% of schools in the United States are private. However, that doesn’t mean that public school can’t offer unique benefits to your child. With that being said, let’s look into the pros and cons of public school versus private school in Detroit.

Public School Pro: Affordable And Available

Public schools are free of charge. If you settle into the right district for your family, your children could receive a high quality education free of charge. Every public school is different; many have different funding opportunities and different levels of staff and programs. While this can lead to inconsistencies across the board, it also means that by doing your research ahead of time, you can target the school district that will open doors for your children, without spending thousands of dollars every year on tuition. Public schools also will accept your child no matter what, whereas private schools may limit their numbers or even deny students entrance due to their grades or background. This is not the case for public schools.

Public School Con: Inconsistency

Let’s return to what we touched on above: public schools can be inconsistent. A public school that has a history of excellence could potentially struggle if a principal leaves, or if their budgets are cut. Public school teachers often fail to get their contracts renewed for various reasons, and even the harsh realities of the job may lead them to pursue different careers. This means that your child could begin in an excellent school, but gradually lose opportunities as time goes on and the school dips in quality.

Private School Pro: Private Funding Equals Unique Advantages

As the title suggests, private schools are much more independent, because they are privately funded. This independence allows private schools to be more selective when hiring, and often they offer advantages that draw more qualified teachers. In fact, 60 to 80% of all private school teachers will have advanced degrees. As private schools have the opportunity to create their own curriculum, your child may be able to engage with more challenging materials, taught by a teacher that is passionate about their subject matter. Private schools can also offer programs that simply are not found in public schools at all. For example, if you would prefer that your child receives a religious education alongside their general education, this is not possible at a public school. However, many private schools offer different religious focuses. Although Catholic schools are the stereotypes of private schools that many of us are familiar with, private schools can be found within a variety of different denominations and religions.

Private School Con: Lack Of Regulation

Because they are attached to the government, essentially, public schools are held to certain standards. The reason why they are not religiously focused is due to this type of regulation, making public school accessible for everyone. There is much more variation within private schools. This means that while a private school can prize education and offer amazing advantages to their students, they have also, in the past, been known to close students off or focus more on aspects other than education. Some parents have valid concerns about sending their children to religion-based private schools; however, you may not be able to access other types of private schools, depending on where you are in Detroit. There is something of a comfort to everyone being held to the same standard in public school.

Public School Pro: Diversity

Private schools are not accessible to those that cannot afford them. Though some offer scholarships, the fact is that many cannot send their children to private school, while everyone can send their children to public school. This means that your children will meet and befriend kids from all backgrounds and walks of life in public school, making them more well-rounded and making it easier for them to get along with the diverse people they’ll meet as they grow up.

Private School Pro: Concentrations

Chances are that your children will have different passions and focuses. Some may like science, whereas others may enjoy art more. A number of private schools focus on specific disciplines, allowing students to pursue their passions and prepare for their careers earlier than they would in public school. While these students still learn about other subjects, being able to focus earlier allows them to get ahead of their peers in the same fields.

Though the typical American will move 11.5 times throughout life, moving with children is different, and you’re probably ready to ground your children in a specific school system. Don’t be intimidated by Detroit’s schools; there are plenty of great options, but private and public. You just have to do your research before choosing!