The Private School Option

Some parents may be seeking a cozier learning environment for their children or one with religious training not offered in secular or public schools. Others may prefer nontraditional academic programs or more stringent standards of behavior.

For those and many other reasons, more parents are choosing private schools for their children, sending local private schools into a definite boom cycle.

And Central Florida parents have a wide array of excellent private schools from which to choose.
There are college preparatory schools with curricula stringent enough to meet the entrance requirements of Ivy League universities. There are faith-based schools for those who want their children educated in a religious environment. There are schools that specialize in tailoring programs to meet each child’s specific learning needs.

Whatever learning environment you think your child would thrive in, chances are there’s a private school that can create it. But finding the right private school for your children requires some parental homework.

Although the Florida Department of Education requires non-public schools to respond to an annual survey, the state does not license, approve, accredit or regulate private schools. Nor are private school teachers required to be state certified. Therefore it is up to parents to investigate thoroughly a private school’s curriculum, standards and credentials.

To be sure, most private schools work hard to receive accreditation from reputable organizations, hire and retain talented, qualified teachers, and make sure their students achieve academic success. After all, in order to stay in business, private schools must establish and maintain their academic reputations.

Since most colleges require applicants to have a diploma from an accredited high school, public or private, it’s a good idea for parents to investigate whether the private school they’re considering is accredited—and by whom.

If a regional accreditation is not specified, the school must be approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which is the accrediting body for all schools and universities in 11 southeastern states.

SACS, one of the most prestigious accreditations and 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 other factors.

Including SACS, there are just 13 accrediting organizations officially recognized by the Florida Association of Academic and Nonpublic Schools (FAANS), including the Florida Council of Independent Schools, which represents more than 72,000 students in 153 member schools.The Council uses criteria similar to SACS and evaluates only secular private schools.

In addition to asking about accreditation, parents may also want to ask what qualifications the school expects of its instructors. Do all teachers hold four-year college degrees? Does the school provide continuing education programs for teachers?

To get a read on how well the school’s students have been performing academically, you may ask the school for a senior-class profile, which should show what colleges have accepted students from the school and how many of the students go on to college.

Talk to friends and neighbors who have children in private schools about their school choices. Then visit the schools that seem to meet your requirements.