How to Take Advantage of a Private School Education

Communicate freely. Since you are paying for the education with your own money, teachers and administrators are far quicker to respond to your questions and concerns than their public counterparts. The lines of communication between parents and teachers are stronger and clearer in a private school. You'll find your questions and suggestions quickly addressed instead of getting lost in the red tape.

Encourage friendships. Since private schools are generally smaller in size than area public schools, your child will be able to foster friendships with classmates they see day in and day out. And you will be able to recognize parents from year to year, creating family bonds instead of just superficial acquaintances. Positive peer pressure works just as well as negative peer pressure.

Promote the extracurricular activities to your child. Private schools tend to have more sports, activities and elective classes. Encourage your child to take advantage of the many opportunities offered to her.

Volunteer with school sponsored activities. Private schools teach activism as well the basic education skills. Join your child in helping clean up a neighborhood or going overseas on a mission trip. A wider world view is emphasized at a private school where a public school is too busy covering just the basics.

Take advantage of private tutoring and the smaller class sizes. Let your child ask for help with difficult subjects, encouraging them to speak up for themselves and identify ways to change for the better.

Grow in faith. Since many private schools are religion-based, your child will be taught values and morals alongside reading and writing. Even if it isn't a faith based school, help your child discover the many other religions and belief systems represented at the school.

Partner with the school by volunteering for roles on the PTA, school boards and committees, by helping in classes and by supporting the school with additional gifts of time and money, as you can afford.