Private Schools Guides & Resources

What is a Private School?

Unlike state funded schools or government schools, private schools are privately owned and run. Private schools, also known as independent schools, are non-government schools. The term private school is generally restricted to preschool primary, secondary and prep school levels and is not meant for university or other tertiary institutions. Families choose to enrol in private schools for various reasons. Sometimes for stricter discipline and academic prowess or sometimes their religious background. There are so many options out there, from day schools to boarding schools and from religious schools and parochial schools to Steiner schools and vocational schools, it can be hard to tell which ones offer the best advantages for your child. Private schools or independent schools were originally designed as an alternative option for families who wanted their children educated in a particular religiously affiliated environment and amongst their own values. Unfortunately, this term has become associated with academic elitism and high tuition fee. You shouldn't rule out quality private schools just because of their annual tuition fees or where they are. Such schools offer teachers who take a strong interest in their students' success and parents who dedicate themselves to improving school life for everyone. Before you sign your child up, find out what makes private schools so great, or not so great. ## What makes a good private school? Private schools are said to provide enriched learning environments in small classes and more one-on-one time with teachers to help enhance each student's talents. Some students respond well to this close attention, while others like the bigger social learning experience offered in public schools and public universities. Whether an independent school or not, either will work depending on how your child learns best. Make sure you think about what educational benefits are most important to your child's future before you decide. Another great aspect of private schools is that private schools claim to have a lot of structure and discipline. Someone who needs clear guidelines may do well in a private education system. Don't assume that just because a school is expensive it will necessarily provide better education or have better results. You may find that a school's social life has as much of an impact on your child's happiness at school as what happens in the classroom. Private schools and private colleges can get away with being strict because their students are so willing to bond together. This sense of community helps students succeed academically and socially, but it can be more challenging for shy or sensitive kids to survive in private schooling if they don't feel included. Such students might benefit more from [studying in the public sector](/guides/public-state-schools/what-is-a-public-school). When your child is pursuing higher education, you might prefer a smaller class environment where he won't have trouble hearing the teacher, but when they are in preschool this could be just right for him. What seems like a drawback in public schools may work to his advantage in a private high school. ## What is the difference between public and private schools? One of the main key differences between [public schools and private schools](/guides/public-state-schools/private-school-vs-public-school) is who pays for them. Public schools are funded by the government through public funding and taxation, while a vast majority of private schools or non-state schools are usually paid for by private individuals. Private secondary schools can sometimes afford to pay higher salaries for the best teachers. Private schools retain the choice of selecting students, so you'll need to do extra research before deciding on a school. Many private schools and even boarding schools offer education to children with special needs. Parents often assume that a private school or an independent school will be better than a public school, but the opposite is true in many cases. It all depends on how well each individual school fits your needs! Most public schools often strive to provide an education equal to a private school. If you have more questions about what makes the best choice for your child's education, just talk to his teacher or principal at his current school. They can be a great source for information on different school types and what they might offer your child. ## What is the point of private schools? The point of private schools and independent schools is to offer each child the education they need, with added perks like strong community ties and religious education. Tuitions at private secondary schools vary from school to school, they just charge whatever they think people are willing to pay. There's no one standard for private school fees so you should find out what your expected contribution will be before you sign up as many private schools are more on the affordable side too. Even if it isn't free, there are many ways to get financial aid for kids who want to attend a specific school but can't afford the tuition. You may get more money from a scholarship than straight-up charity, so ask around instead of assuming you'll have to [pay it all yourself](/guides/private-schools/private-school-costs-in-australia). ## Can I get a scholarship to a private school? It's possible. An academic scholarship and art scholarship is usually given by organisations who want to support students who are religiously affiliated to a particular religion, or from families with a specific ethnic background, or to bright students who attend a school with high academic standards. If your child is enrolled in the gifted and talented program at his current school, this can also be helpful when it comes to getting financial aid for private schools and independent schools, especially if they specialise in education for advanced learners. Even though there isn't any kind of "exam" that you have to pass before attending private school, many private schools may ask for a transcript from your current school so they can see how well you're doing. This is especially true if your child has special needs or learning difficulties, and they want to know what kind of support he's getting at his current school before they accept them into a more challenging private environment. Interested in more information about scholarships? Check out the [Study Australia guide](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/australian-education/scholarships). ## What are some benefits of going to a private school? There are many good reasons that families choose to enrol their children in private schools, including smaller class sizes that offer more individualised attention. Private schools students can also participate in sports teams, clubs and other extracurricular activities that the public sector or a state school just don't have the resources to provide. Private schools and boarding schools often emphasise religious or moral education, so this is something that you'll need to find out before attending an interview at any school-even if they're not required by your local government, your child's current school should still be able to help answer any questions you might have about separate classes for different beliefs. Private schools are usually clean, well maintained and beautiful-which makes them appealing for anyone who wants their child to look back on their time in high school with fondness instead of nostalgia. ## What kind of questions should I ask during a school interview? Your first priority when interviewing a private school or private boarding school is making sure that the faculty really care about your child as much as you do. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how teachers, administrators and other faculty members interact with students-if they seem like they're just in it for the job security or salary, you shouldn't enrol your child there, no matter what qualifications or recommendations they may have. It's also important to see if the public or private schools have a real community behind it. If you get the impression that most people are just phoning in their work and couldn't care less about your child's education, then you should definitely visit another school.