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How Much Are Parents Expected to Give in Annual Gifts?

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:19:27 +0000

In addition to paying tuition, private school parents are usually asked to give annual donations to their children's school that cover the gap between the cost of educating a student (which is on average about $20,700) and the price of tuition (which averages about $19,500 at schools that are members of NAIS, or the National Association of Independent Schools). Gifts also help the roughly 22% of private school students who receive financial aid at NAIS-member schools. So, what does the average parent contribute to the annual fund? The answer is around $1,000 at NAIS schools, with boarding school parents contributing about $1,200 per year on average, and day school parents contributing an average of about $900 a year. Read more about private school fundraising and how the recession has affected private school donations.

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Should Parents Brag about their Kids?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:47:49 +0000

It's only natural for parents to want their kids to succeed, but as many private school parents know, bragging often gets out of hand. Today, it's not even rare for parents to post their children's college acceptances on Facebook. While parents love to see their kids succeed and have been taught to be their children's cheerleaders, experts believe unlimited praise may actually hurt kids in the long run, lowering their self-confidence and their ability to persevere. Read more about how to praise kids effectively ...

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Should Private Schools Have Uniforms?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:48:26 +0000

Uniforms, once on their way out, are now popular at private and public schools. Credited with causing a reduction in school violence and fostering a sense of belonging, uniforms are now required in some schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Private schools have long required uniforms or dress codes that mandate certain laws about students' dress, but critics claim uniforms restrict free speech. Read about the pros and cons of uniforms and the surprising consequences of implementing uniform policies in schools nationwide.

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Winsor School: One of Boston's Best Private Schools

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:30:07 +0000

The Winsor School in the Longwood neighborhood of Boston is one of the country's most selective girls' schools. A school for academically motivated girls, Winsor has been educating girls since its founding in 1886 on Beacon Hill. Now educating 430 girls in grades 5-12, Winsor sends students to some of the best colleges in the country. In addition to its rigorous academic program, commitment to diversity, and fine extracurricular activities, Winsor offers the advantages of a single-sex school.

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The Advantages of Single-Sex Schools

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:41:18 +0000

While some experts still think the jury is out on the advantages of single-sex schools, many studies have shown that students in all-boys' or all-girls' schools benefit from their environment. They tend to have more confidence and behave better than similar peers in co-ed environments. In addition, there are other advantages of private single-sex schools you may not have considered. For example, the conversation about Shakespeare's Hamlet in a boys' school can concentrate on what it means to resolve one's relationship with one's father, while a female mathematician's visit to a girls' school has special resonance. Single-sex schools often have dynamic classrooms in which students aren't afraid to voice their ideas.

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Looking for a Private School Teaching Job?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:11:06 +0000

Looking to teach in an independent school? Cornelia Iredell, who runs Independent School Placement with her husband Jim, offers advice about how new teachers can get their foot in the door and explains what independent schools are looking for in their new hires. Even in this difficult economy, it's possible for recent graduates to get teaching experience and for mid-career professionals to transition into working in independent schools.

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The History of African-Americans at Early Independent Schools

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:30:17 +0000

February is African-American History Month, and, in addition to reflecting on the subject during the rest of the year, it's the time to think about the valiant struggle of African-American students to gain access to high-quality education. Long before the 1954 landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in which the Supreme Court declared that "separate but equal" education was inherently unequal, African-American students were trying to access college-preparatory education and there were schools that dared to have integrated student bodies. Though some these schools have now largely been forgotten, they were critical in educating African-American leaders. Read more about the history of African-American students at early independent schools.

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How to Change from One Private School to Another

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:57:49 +0000

Sometimes, the school you chose for your child when she was younger simply isn't working for her anymore. She may find herself falling behind academically or socially, or she may want to cultivate a new interest. Don't be afraid to look for a new school that's a better fit for the young adult she is becoming. Here are some strategies to ease your child and your family into the process of finding a new school.

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The Best Schools for Children with Asperger's Syndrome

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:25:08 +0000

Finding the right school for a child with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism can be difficult. Students with Asperger's often have an area of strength, such as math or history, while they struggle with social and communication skills. The right school has to offer the child accommodations and help working with his or her areas of weakness while still fostering the child's areas of strength. Fortunately, more and more special education and mainstream schools are able to understand and nurture this type of complicated student, as the number of children diagnosed with Asperger's grows in the United States each year. Here are some strategies to place a child with Asperger's Syndrome or with high-functioning autism.

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The New Teachers' Pets

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:37:14 +0000

The new teachers' pets may just be actual animals. Research shows that children who have pets in the classroom learn better. They are more relaxed, and their rates of attendance and good behavior skyrocket. While public schools are allowed only to have small animals such as hamsters in the classroom, private schools often have the luxury to have large animals such as dogs gracing their campus. In fact, some private schools have such popular pooches that the animals have become mascots, and the privilege of their presence in the classroom has inspired hefty bids at school fundraising auctions. Pets promise particular benefits for children in special education classes and those with behavior issues. Learn more about how pets help children learn.

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