Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should children be homeschooled?
Position‹3 of 3
Children should be educated through a middle-ground method
Argument‹3 of 3

Private schools meet certain parents' needs for their child

If homeschool is chosen because of the social situation and teachers, private school introduces an alternative.

The argument

Private school can be the right choice for a number of reasons. Firstly, it allows children to physically attend school. This can be a major deal breaker for those wanting to homeschool. Secondly, the class size is typically smaller. One study found that “private high schools on average are less than half the size of public schools. In central cities, for example, the average size of a private high school is 398, compared to 1,083 for a public school.” This can improve the quality of education, as each teacher has more time with their students. Finally, private schools can be selected based upon a family's beliefs and values. There are art schools, STEM schools, Catholic schools. There is a huge variety for any family. Those thinking about the homeschool route may find themselves more interested in the option of private learning.

Premises

[P1]Private schools let children physically attend school while offering much smaller class sizes than public schools. [P2] Smaller classes mean more teacher time and higher-quality education. [P3] Families can also choose a private school matching their beliefs and values, from art to STEM to Catholic. [C] Therefore, as a middle ground that meets parents' specific needs, private schooling is a strong option between homeschooling and public school.

Counter-arguments

Private school can be expensive. In many locations, it can cost almost as much as a college tuition. Homeschooling is much cheaper, and many families financially cannot afford private school even if it is the right option for them.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Private school is not an option for many families.