No one can tell you what's right for your children and what's not. You know them better than anyone else possibly can. With that said, however, when it comes to knowing if a private school is the right environment for your child, the task is anything but easy. This will, or at least should, involve very careful consideration as both private schools and public ones can offer big benefits and some downfalls, too.



Making the choice between private schools and public ones is a personal choice, but it's also one that can be quite costly. Even if money isn't an issue, it's a good idea to look at some of the pros and cons of both private and public schools before proceeding.

Private schools offer a number of benefits that public schools simply cannot, but they do come with a price that extends beyond the finances. Let's take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros:

* The student to teacher ratio at private schools tends to be much lower. This is great for youngsters who need more one-on-one time.

* Private schools tend to do very well in the areas they specialize in. Since consumers are the driving force behind these schools, the courses are sometimes well beyond what can be offered in a public arena. They tend to also offer specialized learning, such as religion, music or so on, too.

* More specialized programs for fast learners and even those who need extra help. Here and again, these schools can be better equipped to deal with all sorts of educational issues that might crop up.

* Can assist with college entry. Depending on the schools involved, good grades and other factors, college entry can be a breeze.

* Wonderful for learners who specialize in a certain area of learning. There are private schools to cater to just about everything. If a youngster is particularly gifted in music, there are schools that can help foster this passion. Public schools offer music, but they can't generally boast tailored instruction.

Cons:

* Skewed perspective. Since private schools don't always offer a cross section of society, youngsters might be ill equipped to deal with the "real world" when they get out. This side effect of private schooling can be offset by parents and programs that expose youngsters to people from all walks of life.

* Cost. This is perhaps the biggest prohibitive factor that makes people think twice. The better ones cost - a lot.

* Environment. Sometimes the more rigid environment in some schools make them uncomfortable for certain youngsters to learn in.

Public schools offer their own set of pros and cons. Keep in mind when deciding what's right and what's wrong for your child and your situation that both types of schools can graduate highly educated pupils. Very often, it's what a child and his or her family puts into the education that counts. Don't let peer pressure make your decision for you. Take cues from your own judgment and how your child reacts to the different environments to guide you in your decision to go for a private school versus a public school or vice versa.