EDUCATION MATTERS—SANFORD SCHOOL'S PRIVATE SCHOOL BLOG

Private schools will always hit you with the same buzzwords: Small class sizes, rigorous academic curricula, engaging teachers, and accessible extracurriculars. They aren’t wrong. These core tenets of private school education are what make private schools so attractive to parents wanting the best for their children and  for students who are eager to grow. Yet, after being in a private school for twelve years I have come to realize that the most valuable aspects of private schooling are the most intangible ones.

Private school students are exposed to new ways of thinking.
A product of the relationships I have formed with my teachers is the level of respect and maturity they both treat me with and expect from me in return. My teachers do not shy away from delving into conversations about real-world issues out of fear that I cannot handle them. Rather, this type of discourse is encouraged, and with it comes the expectation that the conversation will remain civil, that all perspectives will be regarded seriously, and that the end goal is to learn from one another rather than to prove someone wrong. I’ve learned that different perspectives are not wrong, or offensive, just different, and that all are to be treated with respect. As a result of this mutual comfort I am not hesitant to share my opinions or have in-depth conversations with people much older than I, which is something that I value as I prepare to graduate high school and expose myself to so many different types of people.

Too many times, headlines revolve around negative behavior taking place at sporting events involving coaches, players, parents or spectators. As a lifelong athlete and career educator in the field of physical education and athletics, my experiences in sports as a participant, teacher, coach, and athletic director have been many and varied. I have experienced, and witnessed, winning and losing at all levels. 

When you choose a private school for your child, you’re not only investing in a rigorous and broad education. You’re also choosing to be a part of a community that will develop your child’s character and leadership qualities. The financial commitment is a serious one, yet it comes with a unique opportunity—the chance to give back to the school and the community. Students and parents, as well as alumni and their families, all participate in “paying it forward” to the school and the greater community.

Community service is part of a strong private school’s curriculum. Students at all age levels benefit from age-appropriate service learning.

• Students develop a sense of responsibility and pride. 
• Service programs build new skills and create empathy for others.
• Studies have shown that when community service is included in learning, student achievement increases.
• Volunteering gives young people the chance to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real human needs.

Parents and alumni also become involved in the life of the school, with many benefits for all involved.

• Volunteering in the classroom and at all-school events strengthens the school community.
• Dynamic and inclusive volunteer programs assure there are opportunities for all interests, abilities, and availability.
• Drives for clothing, food, school supplies, and other items encourage collaboration.
• Community service activities lead to natural discussions about philanthropy.

When looking for educational options for your child, it is important to select schools that not only provide a quality education but also welcome parent volunteerism. Look for options that meet your own schedule, whether you are working outside the home or are available during the school day. Schools should share their expectations of parents, as well as opportunities for them to become involved.

Now that I’m in graduate school, I find myself constantly using skills and abilities that I can trace back to my time as a private school student. A few are relevant to my discipline, U.S. history, but just as many apply to all areas of my life.

I, like many students, thrived in the small classes that are fundamental to the private school model. Several brilliant and engaged teachers inspired my curiosity about history and backed that up with rigorous instruction in research and writing. Provided with classroom resources and the flexibility to design imaginative lesson plans, these teachers were able to give me an early introduction to complex historical ideas that most students first encounter at the college level. I wrote book reviews and completed projects that demanded extensive work with primary sources—versions of the same work I now do in my PhD program. My high school teachers set high standards, believed in our ability to meet them, and helped us figure out how to do it. I’m still using that knowledge and those tools today.