Public school vs private school

Working out what’s suitable for your family.

Public vs private school: it’s a significant choice for many Australian parents. So, is private schooling a better choice for your child, or is the public school system just as good? Not all of us have the means or opportunity to choose which school we send our kids to. But for those of us who do, it can be an incredibly stressful and complicated decision to make.

Ultimately, there is no perfect choice. That said, by weighing up your options, you can make an informed decision on which institution would better fit your child’s needs. To help, Jacaranda Finance has investigated the pro’s and con’s you should look at when making your decision.

What can be considered before deciding?

• Is there an excellent public school in your catchment area?
• If not, how far away is the private school?
• Are you happy to choose a religious private school, or would a non-religious government school suit your beliefs?
• Does your child have any learning disabilities, delays or special needs?
• Does the type of school create any additional advantage for your child in the way of sport, music or languages?
• Are there more opportunities for your child at one school than another?

Differences Between Public and Private Schools

The critical difference between public and private education is how it is funded. Private or independent schools are usually owned and operated by individuals or entities. In comparison, public schools are run through the Australian government.

This means private schools can sometimes offer more resources because of their money from tuition fees. As an independent institution, they also have more freedom in curriculum and are not required to be religiously ‘secular’ like public schools.

Here are some of the core differences between public and private schools:

Private Schools

• Fees are much higher in comparison.
• Facilities are usually more modern.
• Admissions are lengthier and more complicated, and there are usually more requirements.
• Class sizes are usually smaller.
• Accommodation is offered in some schools.
• There is religious education taught in many private/independent schools.

Public Schools

• Considerably fewer school fees.
• No accommodation offered.
• Usually older facilities.
• Admission is usually decided upon your catchment area.
• Class sizes are generally larger.
• Not religiously affiliated.

You can question yourself, is private school better than public?

Although many would answer this question, the truth is more complicated. There’s growing evidence that suggests the type of school you send your kids to doesn’t make much difference to academic scores once socio-economic differences are considered. Because they have more money, private schools tend to offer children more opportunities. Yet will these opportunities work to the benefit of your child? And are they worth the additional cost? It all comes down to how you measure what’s suitable for your family.

Public or Private School: How Much Will it Cost?

Most private schools can set you back over $15,000 a year, with Catholic Schools being a little bit cheaper for primary education. Alternatively, most public schools only charge a few hundred dollars worth of fees per year, which will provide significant savings.

Most will argue that the children receive more opportunities at a private school. Of course, that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of external activities you can also look into outside schools, like sporting clubs.

Deciding in the right direction for your child can be a stressful experience. Even when you’ve made your final call, you may encounter doubt later on down the track. All you can do is do your research.

It’s important as well to listen to your child. You can’t discount the importance of their social network or favourite teachers.

Remember, you also don’t have to make the decision alone. Choosing the right school for your child is a choice for you and your partner or family.

Source: Trinity Tuition College (www.trinitytuitioncollege.com.au)

Written by: Donghyeon Lee