Advice for Seattle-Area Parents Considering Private Schooling

As a parent in the bustling Seattle metropolis, the process of enrolling your children in school can be so exhausting. You likely want the best for your kids, which can mean high-quality education in a thriving environment. However, the world of private schooling can be expensive, competitive and time-consuming.

The Competition of Admission
Based on results found by the Seattle Public School system, nearly one quarter of Seattle students is enrolled in a private school. In nearby cities, it can be quite competitive; a recent survey found that only 2,155 students are enrolled in 14 top private schools in Redmond WA. With an average acceptance rate of 66% in the area, as compared to the national average acceptance rate for private schools of 85%, you can see that it may be difficult to enroll your child in private school. Thankfully, there are many options outside the traditional private school methodology.

The Range of Private Schools
When you start looking at private school options, you may quickly realize that there are several different styles of private school. All of these types of school prioritize different education methods, as well, so it is important to familiarize yourself with them.
Here are a few:
• Boarding schools often focus on developing a community-style environment for their students, who usually live and eat on the school property.
• Montessori schools are set up to emphasize each student’s unique learning talents and therefore can offer a more personalized education for students and their families.
• Religious schools vary in their teaching styles, but all have an association with a particular religious organization. If religion is a strong part of your life, a religious school may be a good choice for you and your family.

In familiarizing yourself with the diversity of private schools, you can better prepare your child or children for an excellent future.