One would think that in a weak economy, parents would move their students out of private school and into the “free” public schools – that is, if the public schools were doing their job. This raises an interesting question.

Is the difference merely a degree of quality, i.e. is it just a matter of lowering one’s standards a little…or is it something more? If it were just a matter of accepting somewhat lower quality, a parent could possibly make up for it with a little homeshooling.

Watching it from the inside, I think making a general, sweeping comparison between public and private schools would be like comparing apples and leprechauns. Public schools are run by the state, so they should more appropriately be called government schools. Private schools are run by private individuals or companies.

Being private doesn’t necessarily make a school better, but it does mean that they are accountable. Private school parents vote with their wallets. If a private school does a poor job in the judgment of the parent, the school loses money i.e. the enrollment. No number of lobbyists or votes can force a parent to keephischild enrolled. However, when the government schools fail, they seem to get more money. But how much longer will that “money” last?

Business people who understand the extreme importance of quality education can see that there is a serious need in today’s world. Smart parents will give up a few material items before sacrificing the quality of their child’s education. So if a private school communicates a sound educational philosophy and delivers a sound quality education, it will thrive – even in tough times.

Private schools can adjust their course quickly to suit the needs of their students. One example is seen at an international high school on the West Coast. They have added a golf scholarship program that joins athletics with strong academics. What makes this program so attractive is the school’s willingness to offer special academic schedules that allow time to participate in tournaments. On line make-up classes and weekend classes make the schedule flexible and allow students to build a solid track record that can result in more college golf scholarships.

Could you imagine your local government school doing such a thing?