All parents want what’s best for their children. They do their best to provide them with food, shelter, love, and the chance at a quality education. For many parents this means that they have to consider the pros and cons of private versus public schools, and determine which one is right for their children.
The private versus public school debate has been raging on for decades, with public school supporters accusing private schools of exorbitant costs and less social engagement. Private school backers claim that the small class sizes and independent curriculum gives students a shot a “true” learning, rather than knowledge that is catered to a state test.
But even with these criticisms, private schools continue to be a popular choice, with Montessori schools gaining repute for their unique teaching style.
Here are a few advantages of a Montessori school education.
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- Student-Centered Learning. When looking at private versus public schools, the curriculum in private schools like Montessori could be more conducive to a student’s overall growth. Developed in the late 1800’s in Italy by Maria Montessori, Montessori education focuses on fostering a child’s natural inclinations. Rather than conforming to a set of state standards, children are encouraged to explore their interests, and are also given the tools to do so. The result is children who feel confident enough to venture on their own, and also work in groups to share their knowledge.
- Starting Young. Many Montessori schools admit children as young as 2 and a half, and have these children work on critical social skills, while fostering their interests. These children are often placed in a multi-age classroom where they interact with older children, which helps them learn social cues. This strategy also fosters learning through example, where older children can also guide younger ones, and work with them. Even older children in private elementary schools are enrolled in a multi-age program through Montessori for the same reason.
- Teachers as Facilitators. When considering private versus public schools, in a typical classroom setting, a teacher is viewed as the “expert” in the room, and students are expected to follow what he or she teaches. But in a Montessori school, teachers see themselves as facilitators, rather than experts. They set the structure of the classroom, but do not enforce strict time restraints, or direct how their students learn the material. They offer suggestions and options that guide the students in the direction of the learning goal, leaving the learning method up to the student. The result is collaborative learning.
While the price of a private school can be high, many of them offer private school scholarships and private school grants to help cover the cost for interested families. With the many advantages of private schools like Montessori, many parents are also willing to swallow the cost. Read this for more: www.rhms.ca
