Religious Vs. Non-religious Education in Private Schools

What is the best choice when considering a Religious Vs. Non-religious education in private schools? There are certain parameters parents should consider when choosing between a religious or non-religious school. The values your children grow up on will be the values that shape their adulthood. Does the school you decide to enroll them have to be religious to be good?

When it comes to education in private schools, there are usually two main streams to the religious approach:

Parents choose private school because it is religious.

• Most religious schools get students enrolled based on their parents’ religion. Children will not necessarily follow the same religious path of their parents, however many parents choose this for their children because they want to build a strong moral background.
• Some things you should have in mind include:
  • Is the curriculum rigid?
  • Does it inspire learning?
  • Is it designed in a way in which independent learning is encouraged?
• It’s important to understand that because religious schools are based out of certain guidelines set by the religion, they are allowed to select their staff – both teaching and non-teaching – on grounds of their religion. This could potentially hurt the school’s performance. A great instructor could be left out for not sharing the same religious views.

Parents choose private school because it is non-religious.

• Some of the things to have in mind when considering a non-religious school:
  • Make sure the school offers an environment that fosters a  sense of community.
  • Research has shown that supportive communities – whether religious or non-religious – help children generate ways to cope with stress and become better individuals.
• Some schools do not tie a certain religion to their title, however, the core values they abide by are pertinent to the development of well-rounded children and future leaders.
• If you decide to go the non-religious way, decide if the school has set values that will be needed for daily life. The core values that will be instilled in your children will transcend their time in school and will affect the lives they live in the future. The type of person they will become relies primarily on the mentors that shaped their path. Children learn best through observation and having mentors that provide the correct behaviors give them a role model they will look up to and learn from.

Good luck in your search to find the “right” school for your child and your family!