The Difference between Private Schools and Public Schools

School is an important place of education that prepares children for adulthood. It’s the central place for developing and enhancing an individual’s qualities, helping them to flourish in the future. But with the technology and resources made available today, not all schools are the same. The perception is that public schools have larger classrooms, meaning teachers give less attention to individuals. On the other hand, private schools  can be expensive, deterring parents from sending their children to them. Choosing the right school can therefore be a difficult decision for parents to make. Here are four differences between public schools and private schools in Melbourne as an example to help you come to a decision.

Investment in the School

The time and money that’s put into improving a school varies amongst public and private schools in Melbourne. Public schools don’t always have the money in their budget to invest in infrastructure to improve the school, while private schools typically have more funds available. Evidently, this can enhance the education and overall experience of school students, as the extra funds can be used for establishing new buildings such as gymnasiums, concert halls and classrooms. Committing to looking after and improving the school’s infrastructure significantly influences the status of a private school.

Classroom Size

The classrooms in public schools and private schools in Melbourne can vary widely in size. Most public schools have around 25 to 30 students in a classroom at one time, meaning there’s less time for teachers to focus on a specific child’s needs. In comparison, private schools have class sizes of around 15 to 20 students. Having fewer students in the classroom means there’s a better opportunity for children to receive personalised attention. Teachers can also give students longer and more complicated assignments to complete, as they’ll have more time to mark them.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The offerings of extra-curricular activities can differ from school to school. Public schools are known to have fewer activities for students due to budget cuts. Budget cuts force school boards to decide what expenditures need to be reduced or completely eliminated.

Private schools in Melbourne believe that extra-curricular activities are an integral part of a child’s education. Activities such as sports and performing arts allow a child to learn new skills in a creative way. These activities encourage teamwork and can boost a child’s self-confidence. Other extra-curricular activities like leadership roles and community service activities can also enhance a child’s independence and teach them life lessons of giving back to those in need.

Admission Procedures

It’s not a secret to say that public schools have to accept everyone that applies, while private schools don’t. Most private schools in Melbourne have a selective admissions process. This means that students have to sit tests and other forms of assessment before their application is accepted. Many students are therefore already highly motivated before they begin. They want to learn and love being surrounded by other students wishing to achieve academic excellence.