Top 10 Reasons to Choose an Independent School
Janet Hill is the director of admissions for The Seven Hills School in Cincinnati, Ohio. For nearly 30 years, Hill has passionately helped countless parents and families find the right educational choice for their children.
Selecting the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent will make.
In Cincinnati, we are fortunate to have many options for our children’s education, including public, charter, parochial and other religious schools, and independent schools. Navigating these choices can feel overwhelming, but finding the right fit is truly a gift for a child and an investment in their future.
As parents, we should look beyond academics and find the right place that meets our child’s needs. A school shapes so much of who they’ll become, from their educational foundation to their personal growth and sense of values. The school is more than a place of learning. It’s a community that supports a child’s development in every way.
Below are 10 reasons why all parents should consider an independent school for their child’s education.
1. Excellent Teachers
The hiring process is very selective and faculty is often highly specialized in the subjects they teach. Independent school teachers have an average of 18 years of experience and 70% have graduate degrees, according to Independent School Data Exchange (INDEX). Teachers have the flexibility to adapt lessons for different learning styles and create a supportive learning environment for all students.
The hiring process is very selective and faculty is often highly specialized in the subjects they teach. Independent school teachers have an average of 18 years of experience and 70% have graduate degrees, according to Independent School Data Exchange (INDEX). Teachers have the flexibility to adapt lessons for different learning styles and create a supportive learning environment for all students.
2. Smaller Class Sizes
Class sizes are typically smaller, which leads to more student participation and personal attention. The close-knit environment enables faculty to identify individual talents and support each child in achieving their potential. The average class size is 16, according to INDEX.
Class sizes are typically smaller, which leads to more student participation and personal attention. The close-knit environment enables faculty to identify individual talents and support each child in achieving their potential. The average class size is 16, according to INDEX.
3. Engaging and Exciting Curriculum
A true, well-rounded education goes beyond learning the core subjects. Independent schools go beyond traditional coursework by asking students to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and understand the “how” and “why” of what they are learning. This approach helps students develop critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of the material, rather than just aiming for a correct answer.
A true, well-rounded education goes beyond learning the core subjects. Independent schools go beyond traditional coursework by asking students to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and understand the “how” and “why” of what they are learning. This approach helps students develop critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of the material, rather than just aiming for a correct answer.
4. Community Focused
When you choose an independent school, you’re choosing a community not just for your child but for your whole family — a place where everyone feels known and valued. Independent schools are guided by missions and values and prioritize building strong, supportive relationships, fostering a close-knit, inclusive environment that extends beyond the classroom.
When you choose an independent school, you’re choosing a community not just for your child but for your whole family — a place where everyone feels known and valued. Independent schools are guided by missions and values and prioritize building strong, supportive relationships, fostering a close-knit, inclusive environment that extends beyond the classroom.
5. Focus on the Whole Child
Independent schools often emphasize the development of every part of a child’s growth, not just academics but also emotional, social, and ethical growth. A strong academic foundation is crucial for any student, but independent schools recognize that there’s more to a child than academics. Faculty and staff understand that educating the whole child is an essential part of their job.
Independent schools often emphasize the development of every part of a child’s growth, not just academics but also emotional, social, and ethical growth. A strong academic foundation is crucial for any student, but independent schools recognize that there’s more to a child than academics. Faculty and staff understand that educating the whole child is an essential part of their job.
6. High Academic Standards
Many private schools offer the highest quality education available that prepares students for future success in college and their careers. According to INDEX, independent school seniors apply to nine colleges and 50% submit early decision applications. Additionally, independent schools are not bound to the same regulations as public schools. They have the flexibility to adapt and update their curriculum quickly, ensuring they meet students’ needs and prepare them for an ever-evolving world.
Many private schools offer the highest quality education available that prepares students for future success in college and their careers. According to INDEX, independent school seniors apply to nine colleges and 50% submit early decision applications. Additionally, independent schools are not bound to the same regulations as public schools. They have the flexibility to adapt and update their curriculum quickly, ensuring they meet students’ needs and prepare them for an ever-evolving world.
7. Diverse and Inclusive Learning Environment
Depending on the location of a public-school option, independent schools can offer a more diverse environment with students and families from around the world. Students learn to see from outside of their own prospective, and experience different cultures, traditions, faiths, and people. On average, independent schools have 36% students of color, with the numbers growing year-over-year.
Depending on the location of a public-school option, independent schools can offer a more diverse environment with students and families from around the world. Students learn to see from outside of their own prospective, and experience different cultures, traditions, faiths, and people. On average, independent schools have 36% students of color, with the numbers growing year-over-year.
8. Invested Parents
Independent school families are defined by having actively chosen a school that has a mission and values they support. Engaged parents help foster a culture of support and enthusiasm that benefits not only their child but other students as well. This can lead to a more positive school experience, as parents and teachers work together to ensure students succeed academically, socially, and personally.
Independent school families are defined by having actively chosen a school that has a mission and values they support. Engaged parents help foster a culture of support and enthusiasm that benefits not only their child but other students as well. This can lead to a more positive school experience, as parents and teachers work together to ensure students succeed academically, socially, and personally.
9. Focus on Social-Emotional Wellbeing
Social-emotional learning is as important as academics when it comes to helping students develop into well-rounded, resilient individuals. Social-emotional learning fosters essential life skills like self-awareness, empathy, relationship building, and responsible decision making.
Social-emotional learning is as important as academics when it comes to helping students develop into well-rounded, resilient individuals. Social-emotional learning fosters essential life skills like self-awareness, empathy, relationship building, and responsible decision making.
10. Safe Space
Independent schools offer a safe learning environment, where students feel emotionally and socially secure. This sense of safety allows students to be themselves, take risks, express their ideas, and ask questions without fear of judgement or ridicule. A safe environment nurtures confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging — all essential for healthy development and academic success.
Independent schools offer a safe learning environment, where students feel emotionally and socially secure. This sense of safety allows students to be themselves, take risks, express their ideas, and ask questions without fear of judgement or ridicule. A safe environment nurtures confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging — all essential for healthy development and academic success.
Ultimately, every child is unique and deserves a learning environment that best suits them and choosing a school is a highly personal decision for families.
It can be helpful for families to be honest with themselves about what they want from a school. Most parents are considering their child’s education choice for the next 13 years. Families should to do their research, attend admission events, visits classes, and talk to other parents about why they chose the school for their children.