9th Apr, 2009 | Source : Newsweek Showcase
Great teachers, interesting classes, and individualized attention. These are just a few of the benefits cited by the families that have chosen independent private schools for their children.
There are approximately 2,000 independent schools across the United States, providing high-quality education to more than 700,000 students from pre-kindergarten through high school.
Although each independent school is guided by a different educational mission, they share a commitment to providing a safe environment in which young people can learn and develop intellectually, physically, and emotionally.
The website of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) offers a list of questions to consider to help you locate the best school for your child. It also provides a school search function to help you find schools that meet your criteria, timelines for admission, and links to school websites and contact information for admissions offices.
The NAIS website, www.nais.org, also provides information about financing an independent school education. Affording a quality education takes some planning, and most families employ several strategies to keep the costs within reach. Some families make use of tuition payment plans, which spread payments out over several months. Many independent private schools also offer need-based financial aid in the form of grants that do not need to be paid back.
The financial aid officers at individual schools are the best source of information about aid. They can explain the full range of options that the school offers and may be able to provide some information on the limited outside funding sources (such as scholarships from community organizations).
For more information about independent private schools, please visit www.nais.org/go/parents.