What Do Parents Look for in a Private School?

There are a range of reasons a family may consider a private school education for their child.  Some turn to private schools for smaller class sizes, specific academic or extracurricular programs, safety concerns, or college connections.  Others may choose a private religious school for the emphasis on spiritual formation or the connection to a local church.  Each family’s decision is different and based on priorities for their family and child.

Independent School Management (ISM) is a leading consultancy and research organization that supports private schools both in and outside the United States.  They conduct extensive research of best practices for independent schools and frequently survey parents, students, faculty, and school leaders to provide institutions with relevant information about the state of private schools and insights about the perspectives of stakeholders. Their research has found that parents highly value four elements when considering private schools.  Read below to learn more about those expectations and what Westbury Christian does to meet them.

1. Parents want a safe environment for their children. Oftentimes, private schools offer smaller class sizes and smaller campuses than neighboring public schools. This makes it easier for staff members to be aware of dangerous situations, student dynamics, and other health and safety concerns.  Smaller teacher-student ratios are also conducive to building and establishing connections between students and between faculty and students.  Positive, healthy relationships reduce the risk and opportunity for dangerous behaviors.

Westbury Christian School places a premium on the relationships developed between the adults and students on campus.  Not only do teachers and coaches get to know students through their classroom and extracurricular activities, faculty and staff members also lead small group chapel and advisory sessions to develop connections with students.  These healthy relationships open doors for influence, spiritual formation, and the exchange of wisdom and advice.  Teachers spend time in the hallways during passing periods, invest in relationships, and try to be an avenue for communicating concerns.  A full-time guidance director and part-time school counselor are available to students to help them navigate the challenges and anxieties of school.  The staff also regularly reviews and revises emergency management plans to follow guidelines from the Texas School Safety Center, and the school maintains a closed campus.

1. Parents want a caring community that provides individual attention to their child. Small class sizes allow teachers the opportunity to really get to know students. In public schools with large classes, it’s challenging for teachers to get to help, know, or advocate for every student.  Despite the best intentions, students can get lost in the sheer numbers of some large school districts.  Private schools are able to better identify and address the needs of individual students.

At WCS, teachers use the NWEA MAP Growth+ assessment three times during the year to get an individual snapshot of students’ academic performance and progress.  Throughout the year, teachers use this information to tailor their instruction to the specific needs of the class or student.  With smaller classes, teachers are also able to visit with each student, provide feedback and guidance, and answer questions, and they have the flexibility to arrange tutorials or follow-up meetings outside of regular class times.  The support of the Wildcat community goes beyond the classroom.  It’s common to see teachers at athletic events, fine art performances, and around the cafeteria getting to know students and supporting them in their extra-curricular activities.

1. Parents want a school with a high-quality faculty and curriculum. Most parents who invest in private education want their students to be prepared for college. Teacher experience and expertise can go a long way in helping students achieve in the classroom.  The lesson plans, learning experiences, and instructional practices designed and implemented by teachers shape the way students learn and grow as scholars.  Course plans and design should challenge students to grow, and teachers should be able to execute and design authentic learning opportunities.  Academic rigor may be measured by standardized test scores, the number of advanced courses a school offers, or the amount of homework assigned each week.  Some schools offer dual-enrollment courses with local colleges; others focus on AP or IB classes.  A challenging academic program can help students grow as learners and develop their intellectual curiosity, academic passions, and work habits.

At Westbury Christian, our faculty and staff have degrees or certifications in their content areas of instruction and many of them have industry experience in areas related to their subject matter.  A former engineer teaches math and physics, our biology teacher previously managed the animal lab at a local hospital, an actor and director teaches theatre classes, and one of our Bible teachers spends time each summer serving in the mission field.  These “real-life” experiences make the academic content come to life through authentic learning opportunities, relevant experiences, and applicable lesson plans.  We also offer more than a dozen AP courses to prepare students for collegiate-level experiences and coursework.  All of our teachers help students see the connections between their learning and the life experiences they will have.

1. Parents want to support the school’s mission and educational philosophy. Parents want to find a school that fits their educational goals and aspirations for their children. A school that aligns with parent values and desired outcomes can become a valuable partner in accomplishing these goals. When students feel comfortable in a school and the parent-school relationship is aligned, students will achieve more.  Schools will often create or display a “portrait of a graduate” to illustrate the traits and abilities that are important to the school.  Parents can look at this list to see if priority values align.

At Westbury Christian, we display our list of portrait traits in the hall as students enter our building, and teachers work to develop these traits in students during their time in school.  We believe these five traits—developing potential, engaging in learning, overcoming obstacles, modeling service, and living like Christ—will serve students well during their time in schools and in the decades that follow.  Our school also emphasizes a three-dimensional approach to education, focusing on the spiritual, intellectual and social development of students.

If you think a private-independent preschool through 12th grade school may be the right fit for your family, please visit www.westburychristian.org/visit/ to schedule a tour or reserve your spot at one of our Coffee Talk and Tours. Contact Westbury Christian School at [email protected] with any questions you may have. 

About WCS

Westbury Christian School provides a faith-based college preparatory education for students in grades K3–12. A vibrant community of learners, WCS reflects the Kingdom: Faithful, Wise, and Diverse. Competitive tuition provides working families the opportunity to give their children a Biblically-based education at WCS. The School feels privileged to serve families from a variety of religious faiths, ethnicities, and socioeconomic background and actively works to maintain student diversity that reflects the current populace of southwest Houston.