Keeping it Private

"All our graduates have gone on to college," says Gaye, who is referring not only to the Class of 2002 but to every student in every graduating class since the era of Eisenhower and Elvis.

"That's right," Gaye adds when a visitor asks if she heard correctly. "We've had more than 1,400 graduates over the years. Every one has been accepted to college and every one enrolled."

Gaye does concede that there may be a handful who didn't actually finish college-the school doesn't maintain those statistics-but the 100 percent acceptance rate is a dependable parental dazzler, especially since the roster includes such educational icons as Harvard, Yale and M.I.T.

"We offer a quality experience." Says Gaye. "We promote a family-oriented atmosphere where parents are encouraged to get involved. And we've got all the extracurricular activities you can imagine, from the arts to athletics."

Better yet for Northeast Florida families, St. Johns Country Day School is only one of numerous outstanding private schools in the region, serving kindergarten through high school. They range from established, nationally recognized academic and athletic powerhouses to small, church-affiliated operations with a few dozen students.

In Florida, private schools educate about 12 percent of the total student population, according to the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS), an organization representing roughly 85 percent of the state's private schools. That's up from just 9 percent a decade ago.

The figure is closer to 14 percent in Jacksonville" target="_blank">Duval County, which has a higher ratio of students attending private schools than all but three of Florida's 67 counties. More than 90 private schools operate in Jacksonville" target="_blank">Duval County alone.

"Jacksonville families choose independent schools for the value they receive in quality instruction, for high standards in student conduct and achievement and for a safe, nurturing learning environment," says Douglas A. Walker, director of admissions and enrollment management at The Bolles School, a nationally known day and boarding school founded in 1933.

But the numbers are increasing not just in Florida, where public school quality is spotty and per-pupil spending is comparable to that found in such states as Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) reports that enrollment at its member institutions has increased 11 percent since 1986, with the biggest increases coming in preschool (38 percent) and middle school (20 percent).

So, is private school right for your child? Maybe, maybe not.

Sorting it all out requires research and persistence. Although the Florida Department of Education requires "nonpublic" schools to respond to an annual survey, the state does not license, approve, accredit or regulate these schools. In fact, the only requirement for operating a private school is obtaining a local business license, which means hair salons are subject to greater scrutiny.

Still, private schools must compete for students. Therefore, they have an incentive to retain the best teachers, to earn accreditations and to cultivate high-performing students and satisfied parents. Quality, more than price and location, is a private school's main competitive edge.

Consequently, there are a number of the factors to keep in mind when considering the public vs. private education option for your children, among the most important of which is accreditation.

Most colleges require that an applicant's diploma come from an accredited high school, public or private. And if regional accreditation is specified, the school must be approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which is the accrediting body for all public schools and universities in 11 Southeastern states.

"SACS is one of the most prestigious types of accreditation," says Cheli Cerra, a former Dade County principal and author of Every Parent's Guide to School Choice.

The organization, one of only six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, evaluates academic programs, extracurricular activities, staff qualifications and financial stability, among many other factors.

Jacksonville private schools earning SACS accreditation include Bishop Kenny High School, Episcopal High School, Riverside Presbyterian Day School, St. Johns Country Day School and The Bolles School.

In addition to SACS, 45 other authorities are known to be offering accreditation to private schools in Florida. While some impose stringent standards, others mandate little more than payment of dues.

Including SACS, FAANS officially recognizes just 11 accreditation organizations, the largest of which is the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS). The council, which represents more than 77,000 students in 158 member schools, uses criteria similar to SACS and evaluates only secular private schools.

How about academics? It's important to remember that in private schools, no particular academic program is mandated by the state. Therefore, successful placement of graduates in the next level of schooling can provide important information.

So, when investigating a private high school, ask for a senior class profile, which should indicate what colleges have accepted students from the school.

"Most schools are proud, and rightly so, of their college acceptances," says Robert Kennedy, a Michigan-based consultant who helps parents choose private schools and guides them through the application and enrollment process. "If they're evasive about this information, then it's a sign of a problem."

You'll also want to know whether the school's curriculum is primarily college preparatory or vocational and how many Advanced Placement courses are offered. Likewise, the guidance program is important in providing college selection and application assistance.

And remember: Private school teachers are not required to be state certified. So you'll want to find out what qualifications the school expects for its instructors. Do all teachers hold four-year college or university degree? Does the school provide continuing education programs for its teachers?

High faculty turnover should also raise a red flag. Kennedy says an annual turnover rate of 40 percent or higher generally indicates a poorly run school and an unhappy staff. Likewise, he adds, find out how long the current head of the school has been on the job.

"If the top position has changed several times in recent years, make it your business to find out why," he notes.

Other important factors to consider: Admission procedures, tuition policies (nearly 20 percent of private school students nationwide receive financial assistance), student-teacher ratios (the average for private schools is 15-to-1) and admissions-applications ratios (4-to-1 or higher indicates that the school is very competitive.)

Finances are particularly important. At The Bolles School, for example, tuition for a high schooler who also boards can top $25,000. But in addition to scholarships and financial assistance offered by schools, last year the state of Florida initiated a program whereby children from poor families may receive state-backed grants.

The program is called Helping Educate Responsible, Outstanding and Enlightened Students (HEROES). It offers scholarships of up to $3,500 to students who currently attend public school and qualify for the free- or reduced-lunch program. In Northeast Florida, the HEROES administrative office is located in Jacksonville Beach.

As of this summer, at least 500 students in Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties had been approved for HEROES scholarships. Private schools may choose whether or not to participate, but at least 60 in Northeast Florida are currently on board. Check www.forheroes.com to see which local schools are accepting HEROES students.

Finally, talk to your friends and neighbors who have children in private schools. And visit whichever schools seem to meet your requirements.

"There's no substitute for a personal visit," says Pam Barry, director of admissions for San Jose Episcopal Day School. "You can tell a lot by visiting the school and observing. Sit in on some classes and see how the students behave, and how the students and the teachers interact."

Barry even recommends dining in the student cafeteria, a place where chaos reigns in some schools, and note the ambience. If students are civilized in that setting, Barry notes, it's likely the school places a premium on maintaining a favorable learning environment elsewhere.

Most important, decide what's most important for you and your child. Whatever you determine, chances are good that Northeast Florida has a school that fits the profile.