Why Parents Are Choosing Private Schools Despite High Costs
- January 11, 2024
- 6:54 pm
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The allure of private education is growing worldwide, with Australia being no exception – The percentage of Australian students in independent schools climbed from 13.3% to 15.1% from 2017 to 2022, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed.
Data in detail: The ABS data also confirmed a record high of 187,913 enrollments in private schools, indicating a robust 3.3% growth rate. This uptick reflects a worldwide shift toward private education, as evidenced by the rising number of English-medium international schools reaching a total of 9,605 worldwide, marking a 6.3 percent increase year-over-year.
High Costs: But, as the number of pupils in private schools hits an all-time high in Australia, families grapple with the high cost of independent schooling. For instance, Sydney parents might pay nearly $1 million for 13 years of education for two children at elite institutions, with additional expenses like laptops and uniforms pushing costs even higher, according to analysis by education finance company Futurity Investment Group.
Yes, but: Interestingly, despite these substantial costs, parents worldwide are choosing private schooling. Here’s why.
1) Better Higher Educational Outcomes and College Admissions
Private school graduates are more likely to enroll and gain admission to college. Studies suggest that 85 percent of independent school graduates in the U.S. go on to college immediately after high school, compared to 69 percent of public school graduates. In Britain, private school students are twice as likely to be admitted to elite universities.
A survey by NAB News in Australia, revealed that similar aspirations drive parents towards private schools, hoping to give their children a competitive edge in university admissions and future career paths. NAB Executive for Education, Biljana Nikolova, said the survey revealed a very positive view of private education from parents. “It’s no surprise parents value strong academic performance and a focus on literacy and numeracy when choosing private schools,” Nikolova explained.
2) Alternative Pathways to University
Private schools are diversifying their offerings with alternatives to traditional exams, such as BTECs and the International Baccalaureate.
For instance, according to the Tes Magazine, there have been a whopping 14,901 private school entries for alternative qualifications this year, including the International Baccalaureate. These options provide students with a broader educational experience and alternative pathways to tertiary education, making them attractive to parents seeking a more holistic or specialized education for their children.
3) Higher Salaries and Better Life Outcomes
Research indicates that private school graduates tend to secure higher-status occupations and earn higher wages, with a wage premium of up to 35 percent for males by age 42. With higher levels of educational outcomes, they are “more likely to secure a high-status occupation and also have higher wages,” notes a paper published in the British Educational Research Journal. “It is commonly conjectured that the broader curriculum that private schools are able to deliver, coupled with the peer pressures of a partially segregated section of society, help to inculcate cultural capital, including some key ‘non cognitive’ attributes,” the researchers wrote.
4) Networking and Socio-Cultural Capital
Beyond academics, private schools are valued for the networking opportunities they provide. Alumni networks and the community surrounding private schools can offer significant advantages in terms of career opportunities and social standing. As noted by business owner Zane Marshall, nearly 70% of Australian CEOs attended private schools, underscoring the networking and confidence-building aspects of private education. The debate extends to the overall societal impact of the kind of school one attends, with most highlighting the personal and professional doors private schooling opens.“When I compare my friends that went to private schools, they all went off into really high paying jobs or got these amazing opportunities early on through their network from the private school,” he pointed out on TikTok.
5) Quality of Education and Facilities
Private schools are renowned for their superior facilities, smaller class sizes, and dedicated teaching staff, contributing to a more conducive learning environment.
Parents are often willing to pay a premium for this perceived quality, believing that the enhanced learning environment and resources significantly benefit their children’s education. For instance, according to the DISE 2019-20, the proportion of schools with a functional library in public schools was 55.4%, compared to 80.4% in private schools. Private schools also have teachers with better qualifications and experience than public schools. The percentage of teachers with a higher degree in government schools was 59.5%, compared to 80.6% in private schools.
A Complex Decision Amidst Aspirational Goals
The choice to invest in private education is multifaceted, driven by the desire for superior educational outcomes, better future prospects, quality teaching, and exclusive networking opportunities. Parents worldwide are making significant financial sacrifices, believing in the long-term benefits and opportunities that private schools promise for their children. Despite the significant expenses involved, the perceived long-term benefits continue to attract parents to private schools in Australia, much like in the UK, USA, and India. As Association of Independent Schools NSW chief executive Margery Evans pointed out:
“Demand for places in many independent schools exceeds supply, and schools report having scores of names on their waiting lists and, in some cases, hundreds of students are turned away.”
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