Every parent wants the best possible education for his/her child, and every parent should be an active participant in choosing the best educational placement for his/her child. Often, however, parents really do not know their choices. What’s more, it is difficult to identify what that best placement is. What, in the end, is the difference between public and private education?
There are, indeed, significant differences between private schools and public (a.k.a. government) schools – and it’s much more than cost. It really boils down to who makes the decisions. Public school decisions are made at many levels: city and county governments, state government, and federal government. Local school and certainly individual teacher decisions are few and far between. Curriculum content, textbooks, student grade and class placement, student assessments, and behavioral interventions, are all dictated from “somewhere else.” Parents have little or no influence.
At most independent schools, decision making rests within the school itself. School administrators and teachers, as a team, make those decisions, approved and supported by a local board of directors. Parent input is actively sought, and while every parent suggestion cannot be adopted, every one is considered seriously.
As a concerned parent making decisions for his/her child’s education, there are questions you must ask. Here are a few of those questions, and the answer for Hale Academy. You are encouraged to ask these questions of other schools you are considering:
What is the curriculum?
Hale’s curriculum is traditional in philosophy yet modern in approach. Teachers at the various grade levels (preschool, lower school, middle school, upper school) work together to determine a seamless, developmentally appropriate, and consistent plan for each subject area. Then they review and choose textbooks, supplemental materials, and technology that support that plan. “Reading, writing, and ‘rithmatic” are the basics from which all other subject areas grow. Social studies and science knowledge expand as reading, written expression, and mathematics skills develop. There is plenty of time for experiential learning. Thanks to small classes, skilled teachers, and an educational philosophy that supports high expectations, children at Hale achieve at a phenomenal rate: in general one to two years above their grade- and age-mates in other schools in Marion County. For a detailed explanation of our curriculum at each grade level, click on “Current Students,” then the grade level of your child. By the way, we use the “Singapore” math approach in the lower school. Check it out here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/education/01math.html
What are the qualifications of the teachers?
There is a common misconception that because private school teachers are not required to be state certified they are somehow not as qualified as public school teachers. At Hale, nothing could be further from the truth. Hale’s teachers are chosen based on their personal educational and employment backgrounds, their direct teaching experience, their personal interests and special skills, their dedication to children and education, and buy-in to Hale’s mission and core values (click on “About Us” at the top of this page). At Hale, all teachers meet state accreditation requirements for their position (generally a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to his/her teaching assignment). All participate in continuing education. What’s more, 50% of our instructional staff either has or is nearing completion of his/her Master’s degree.
How many hours will my child receive instruction?
The Hale school day is 8:00 a.m. until 3:10 p.m., with a fun, educationally-oriented club program that extends the day until 4:00. Further, Hale’s half-days and teacher work days are held to a minimum. The end result? Hale students are in class, on average, 200 hours more per year than their public school peers. If a child attends Hale kindergarten through, 12th grade, that totals 2 ½ years of education!
How are behavior problems handled?
At Hale, each classroom teacher develops an in-class behavior response program designed to meet the students where they are developmentally, and to suite the teacher’s own style. Those programs are approved by the administration, and explained to parents long before problems arise. Occasionally, on-going problems occur. An individual intervention program may be developed with active participation of the parent and school administration. Rarely, a student is unable, after appropriate intervention, to exhibit the behaviors reflective of the core values of Hale Academy. That child will be removed from the school.
Will my child receive the challenges and/or extra help he/she needs?
Small classes and skilled teachers mean that each child gets the individual attention he/she needs and deserves. Children who excel in any area are given challenges and opportunities to foster their desire to learn at an advanced rate. Children who experience difficulties are given the support they need to thrive. However, parents must be aware that Hale Academy does not offer exceptional student education. Because of Hale’s accelerated curriculum, new students are assessed to insure that their grade placement and potential for success are optimal.
Are there “specials” such as art, music, physical education, and foreign language?
Hale Academy believes in the education of the whole child, so we offer what is often referred to as a “traditional liberal arts” program. That means that the fine arts (music and “studio art”), physical education, and foreign language are fully integrated into our curriculum. At Hale, all students PreK4 through 8th grade take Spanish. Upper school students are offered the opportunity to study other languages, with four high school world language credits (at least 2 years in the same language) required for graduation.
What values are being taught?
Hale Academy teaches, both directly and by example, the following Core Values:
What are the costs?
It is true that your tax dollars pay for public education, and providing a more complete education for your child does require a personal financial commitment. Annual costs at Hale include a registration fee, tuition, activities fee, parents’ organization dues, book purchases, and uniforms. Hale Academy has an extensive internal financial aid program, and accepts Florida Step-Up scholarships. For full details on the costs as well as applying for financial aid, click on the “Admissions” tab at the top of this page then go to the page labeled “Tuition and Financial Aid.”
Are graduates prepared for and successful in college…
As a relatively young school, Hale Academy has graduated eleven students through 2012. Each and every one of those young persons has been accepted in his or her first choice college or university. Further, three of those fine young adults have been awarded the Presidential Scholarship to his or her chosen university. Among the schools at which our students have been accepted are Furman University (South Carolina), George Mason University (Washington, DC), The University of Colorado, The University of Illinois, Ringling School of Art and Design, Stetson University, and The University of South Florida
…and more important, are they prepared for life?
Hale Academy does try to follow our graduates’ life after high school, and we are proud to report that of the three Hale alumni who are no longer in college, one is in graduate school and two are in the active military. None yet have married and begun families.
To our way of thinking, there can be no doubt that every graduate of Hale Academy will indeed be a student dedicated to a lifetime of learning, a leader devoted to his/her civic responsibilities, and a visionary eager to accept the challenges of a global society.
Would you like to learn more about the differences between public and private education and the advantages of each? A publication whose mission is to provide parents with the best and most current information on public schools has prepared an article offering just that information. You may find their findings enlightening. Visit: http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/5.
