Many parents have struggled with the decision of choosing between private schooling and public schooling for their children. Although it is difficult to determine what would objectively be the better choice for your child's needs, there are a few pros and cons to consider for each choice that may affect your final decision.

1. Cost
Cost would be considered a pro for public school and a con for private school. Though private schools may have better programs for students, these programs tend to add up to a hefty price tag for parents. Annual tuition at a private school can range anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000 per child. On the other hand, public schooling is always free for children, but is also subject to inconsistent federal funding for its programs. Alternatively, many private schools do offer funding options for families in need, which is an upside to the con.

2. Preparation for Further Education
Private middle schools tend to favor applicants from private elementary schools and private high schools tend to favor applicants from private middle schools. Additionally, prestigious colleges (such as the Ivy Leagues) tend to favor applicants with a private school background of some sort in addition to other credentials. If you are considering private schooling for your child, it is always best to start as early as possible, since the process becomes increasingly more difficult the older the child gets. So, depending on the age of your child or children, this could be considered a pro or a con.

3. The Application Process
In American public schools, all children are accepted regardless of religion, ethnicity, or academic achievement. However, private schools have certain standards that students must meet in order to be accepted into the program. For parents, finding the right private school can be significantly harder when the pool is limited to where your child was accepted. There is also a possibility that your child doesn't get accepted anywhere at all, which is much more likely in highly competitive areas such as New York City and Boston.

4. Class Size and Curriculum
Although public schools are constantly trying to reduce class sizes, the average student to teacher ratio is much lower in private schools than it is in public schools. Because of smaller class sizes, private school teachers typically have more one-on-one contact with students and are usually able to address specific questions and problems a student may be having. In terms of curriculum, many public school teachers are subject to teaching for standardized tests distributed throughout the year. For private schools, the focus is on a specialized curriculum for various educational subjects.

5. Special Needs Children
From the intellectually gifted to children with learning disabilities, public schools are required to provide special educational tools and instructions for students with special needs. However, some smaller schools in more remote areas may not have these resources and my have a poorly developed program if there is even a program at all. Alternatively, many private schools have programs available for special needs children that will be worth looking into for parents.