On average, private schools are smaller than public schools. This leads us to one of the most significant differences between public and private high schools: the class size.

Many public schools have up to 30 students per class, while private schools have closer to 15, depending on the course and school.1A smaller class allows for more personalized attention to each student and affords them more opportunities to contribute to discussions.

Teacher time is also relieved, giving them more time to grade papers and other assignments. With more time, teachers can supply students with more challenging assignments, helping to push them toward remarkable success.

Public schools traditionally offer the standards decided upon by local and state governments. Accredited private high schools offer these standards of curriculum plus a unique selection of elective courses. The diverse course list may give students more choices to explore interesting subject matter that meets their passions than what is offered for them locally. Computer science and fine arts classes are popular elective options at AHS.

Public schools require all teachers to be certified, which means a teacher will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree plus a state-specific teaching license. Some private schools do not require certified teachers, but in these cases, many teachers are experts in their field with more comprehensive experience from a master’s or doctoral degree.2

AHS ensures every high school online teacher is certified, and many of them also have specialized higher education.

Teachers in private high schools are also usually under contracts that renew each year. This makes it easier for schools to bring in new, effective teachers to improve the delivery of the curriculum when necessary.

Many public schools do a great job of preparing students for college. However, the higher abundance of resources at private schools can allow for more opportunities to educate students and individually help them chart their path and support their success. AHS has various college and career counseling opportunities enrolled students can access.

In private high schools, students are often surrounded by many classmates who have a strong desire for academic achievement. For students who find themselves less challenged at their current school, finding a school community of highly motivated students can be a significant valuable improvement in their learning experience.