What is the difference between private and public schools? As you explore educational options, in most cases, you will find private school benefits include: smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and a higher standard of conduct.
Private schools may also offer a stronger sense of community and a more focused learning environment compared to public schools. Additionally, they often provide specialized curricula, advanced academic courses, and a wider range of extracurricular activities.
To illustrate the difference between public and private education, discover how one private school in Carlsbad, California is radically different from public schools in terms of how they educate boys in grades 7-12. At a time when many boys are struggling in the classroom, the Academy employs evidence-based single-gender education techniques proven to help boys thrive when learning.
Key Benefits of a Private School Education at Army and Navy Academy
1. Small classes offering individualized support
- Class Size and School Enrollment: Typically when families consider a private school like Army and Navy Academy vs. public school, it is largely because they feel their teen would do better in a smaller school environment, where teachers can focus on their child’s academic strengths, specific needs, achievement, and personal growth.
- Dedicated Faculty with Expertise – To provide individualized support, it is not only necessary to offer small class sizes but also offer subject matter expertise. Private schools, like the Army and Navy Academy (“ANA”) attract and employ teachers with high levels of expertise and/or graduate degrees in their subject area.
- College Preparation Support – Counselors at ANA offer personal support for academic scheduling, college applications, and SAT/ACT test prep. With this level of support, it is not surprising that private school students tend to score higher on the SAT.
2. Higher Standard of Conduct and Discipline
- Structure: The emphasis on a structured environment, discipline, and responsible behavior at Army and Navy Academy can have a significant impact on developing resilience in the face of life’s challenges. ANA’s character development programs are proven to accelerate academic success while laying the foundation for a meaningful and fulfilling life.
- Value-Based: The ANA focus on an honor code, student guidelines, and core values informs and creates a positive, productive learning atmosphere. Setting high expectations is central to the development of academic excellence, athletic performance, and character development at this private military academy for boys.
3. Stronger Sense of Community and Belonging
- Community and Culture: At Army and Navy Academy, for instance, the role of a close-knit school culture fosters relationships among students, faculty, and families through a wide variety of special events, workshops, spring trips abroad and weekend activities.
- Community Settings: As a private school, ANA is able to offer amenities you will not find at public schools, places where students and families can congregate and create a sense of community. For example, at Army and Navy Academy, residential life dorms, the student enrichment center, recreation hall, and state-of-the- art athletic facilities are central hubs for social interaction and connection.
4. Specialized Curricula and Advanced Courses
- Advanced Courses: Beyond just Advanced Placement and Honors classes, electives in career-oriented fields such as: aviation, robotics, aquaculture and business, prepare students at Army Navy Academy for college and future careers.
- Specialized Curricula: While most private schools offer a number of unique programs, ANA stands out due to their leadership training classes, character development program, and unique boy-centered approach to learning.
5. Diverse Extracurricular Activities
- Diverse Clubs: Private schools vs. public schools may have a unique advantage in terms of the breadth and scope of clubs, sports, leadership opportunities, and other activities. Check out ANA’s clubs to see the variety of clubs and co-curriculars.
- Robust Athletics: Extracurriculars, like a variety of athletic options, support holistic development and student interests. All students at ANA are required to participate in sports each season. This is something public schools simply cannot require.
Parental Involvement and Engagement
- Campus Life: At ANA, there are many opportunities for parents to participate in school life and support their teen’s education by attending weekend events, athletic games and meets, as well as enjoy visual and performing arts events on and off campus.
- Family Involvement: The impact of active parental involvement on student success is significant so ANA families are strongly encouraged to remain engaged by attending parent-teacher conferences and special events.
Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance
- Financial Aid: To fully understand the full array of financial aid and scholarship programs, Army and Navy Academy encourages you to contact admissions to discuss your specific situation.
- Need-Based Aid: ANA works to make private education accessible by offering need-based financial assistance, payment plans, special scholarships and discounts for siblings, alumni, and veterans.
Comparing Private and Public Schools
- Resources: If you want to do side-by-side comparison of academics, environment, extracurriculars, and support, resources include: Private School Review, Boarding School Review, Niche, and Great Schools. These are all websites that provide overviews, data, reviews, and ranking information.
- Rankings: Check the ratings and rankings on the various sites mentioned above. Niche ranks schools with a grade, whereas Great Schools and other sites may use stars or percentages. Private School Review allows you to compare schools at a glance and also ranks schools in the top 20% by city, state, and other metrics. For example, in San Diego County, California, you will find private schools like Army & Navy Academy, Pacific Ridge, Francis Parker, La Jolla Country Day School, The Bishop’s School as top or best private schools in a number of different categories.
- Statistics: Statistical data from the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) show some advantages of boarding schools in terms of college matriculation, graduate school, careers, and income..
Unique advantages of Army and Navy Academy within the private school landscape.
Considerations for Families
Factors to weigh as you check out the difference between private and public schools include: academic needs, family values, budget, and long-term goals.
Questions to ask when deciding if private school is the right fit may include:
- What does your private school offer that my public school does not?
- What makes your private school different from a public school?
- Do graduates of your private school students do better in life?
- What are the disadvantages of your private schools?
- Does your school offer programs for students with learning differences? If so, is the school for mild, moderate or severe issues (e.g. dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing, ADHD)?
- Does your school offer ESL or ESOL for international English Learners?
- Does your private school offer day and boarding options?
- What kinds of campus services do you offer?
When weighing whether to enroll your child or teen in a public vs. a private school, there are obviously a number of considerations to take into account. Hopefully, the key differences and questions provided in this article will help you develop some questions to address with admissions as you explore the world of private schools for elementary, middle school and/or high school.
Army & Navy Academy Admission Office:
Looking for an all-boys private school in San Diego County, California? Feel free to reach out and consult with us to evaluate whether ANA is the right fit for your teenager’s academic, athletic, and social/emotional growth and development. To fully explore the “ANA Difference”, we encourage you to contact admissions, apply online and schedule an appointment to visit and tour our historic beachfront campus.
Phone: 888-762-2338