About Private Education
Private schools account for about a quarter of all schools in the United States. Unlike public schools, private schools charge a fee to attend them. This tuition pays for teachers, staff, school expenses, supplies and utilities. Most schools are either affiliated with a church or other private organization.
Characteristics
Private schools usually have a low student-to-teacher ratio. In some private schools, the student-to-teacher ratio is as low as 5 to 1. Private schools aren't regulated by the government like public schools, although there are certain Federal mandates that must still be met. Students who attend private schools are usually held to higher academic standards than public school students.
History
The distinction between private and public schools did not happen until the middle of the 19th century. Prior to that time most schools were operated by individuals and private organizations, but still funded by public funds. Schools were run by churches and students learned Bible verses and other religious content. Starting in 1830s, a shift towards public school education was started by the government in an effort to separate church, school and government funding. The separation was completed when the Catholic Church started the Catholic school system.
Catholic Schools
Catholic schools, or parochial schools, make up approximately 50 percent of the private schools in the United States. These schools follow a strict curriculum set forth by the Vatican. It includes studying the Bible, strict adherence to English, math and sciences, with less importance placed on art, music and athletics.
Other Religious Schools
Religious organizations and churches outside of the Catholic domain make up about 35 percent of private schools. These schools include Bible studies as well, and are based on the non-Catholic teachings of Protestant, Mormon and Jehovah's Witness' faiths.
Nonsectarian Schools
Nonsectarian schools account for about 15 percent of private schools in the US. They are not affiliated with a religious organization and focus on teaching children to make moral and positive choices in life. These schools are often called preparatory schools, for the strict academic guidelines and college preparation curriculum.