As a parent, it is important to find the best quality education for your child at every step of their lifelong journey of learning. Choosing private elementary schools is often a very good choice to set the foundation for learning academics as well as with character development and the development of positive values.
In the Plymouth area, there are several private elementary schools to consider. Making a choice between the available options, and understanding the advantages of a private school over a public school, will assist you in making the right decision for your child or children.
Education and Faculty
There are some very well established private elementary schools in and around Plymouth. These schools have been recognized as achieving above state norms on the Iowa Basic Skills tests, which is a critical factor for parents in choosing an elementary school. Schools should also be accredited and have a clear mission statement and educational curriculum in place that addresses not only academic issues but also the values of importance to the family.
To achieve these results, the school has to employ some of the top educational professionals. Look at the teaching experience of the faculty and the administration. Some of the top private elementary schools will have over 250 years of combined teaching time, which is certainly a benefit to children throughout their elementary school years.
Parents should also ask about the class size. This is important for kids as in elementary school having smaller classes means more one-on-one support, encouragement, and teacher attention to students.
Other Factors
When comparing private elementary schools to each other, or to public schools, looking at the actual facilities is essential. This is perhaps the one area of difference with some private schools not having the options available to their students when compared to larger public schools.
Ideally, the private school you choose for elementary age children should include a computer lab, science lab, music and language programs, and a wide range of after school activities and sports options for children.
For some families in the Plymouth area extra services offered by private elementary schools can include busing within a specific geographic area, a state licensed pre-school, scholarships to attend the school as well as school extended care for children at the preschool age through to grade eight. These extra services are important for many families, and provide parents with the peace of mind their children are always in caring, compassionate, and capable hands.
