What to Expect from Different Types of Schools
Caveat emptor
This post is part of a series by @edpsychprof where I share edited highlights from my K12 guide to education along with additional thoughts and commentary
There are so many different school formats these days: private, charter, district "zoned" schools and other learning environments. I examine those differing structures next week. Today, I want to discuss different operational approaches to schooling in the U.S. These approaches are partially based on the school’s educational philosophy, but philosophy alone doesn’t dictate how the school operates in practice. The philosophy of a school lets you know the school’s overall purpose—what it wants its students to know and be able to do. Other factors affect what goes into the day-to-day school operations, factors based on politics, funding, and school leadership. These various approaches influence school decisions on an almost unconscious level, influencing the school culture. In this week’s post, I share common approaches to schooling in the U.S., how they shape the classroom climate, and strengths/pitfalls of each approach so that you can get a sense of what to expect at each type of school.
1. The "typical" school
a. Overview. This is your standard school, like many of us experienced as kids. Whether public, private, charter, or virtual, the underlying approach is the same. The teacher and textbooks provide the content to be learned, and students do the work or projects assigned to them by the teacher. Students who don't obey are given consequences. Often motivation is extrinsic: grades, being prepared for high school, or getting a good job are used as motivators to do the required assignments. School administrators, and teachers to a lesser extent, are the ones with the power/authority. Students have little voices or choices in their learning. You might see some creative activities and projects, but the overall focus is on getting kids to comply with the preassigned lesson of the day.
b. Classroom climate. The teacher is usually seen as the authority at these schools, so there’s less chance of them being open to new ways of doing things. Standardized tests play a huge role. The teacher will often be standing either in front of the room or at their desk. There may be curriculum maps with all teachers at a certain grade level required to be “on the same page” of the textbook. Lip service is given to differentiating curriculum for individual students’ needs.
c. Pluses/Minuses of this approach. On the plus side, this approach is familiar. You know what you are getting. Teachers are usually well-trained and comfortable with this approach. The classroom will be fairly quiet and orderly, which may be comforting to students who prefer order. On the minus side, schools following this approach can tend to overlook some of their students. Students who have high ability or very low ability may struggle in these schools. Teachers do not usually differentiate instruction, so students can fall behind. Learning tends to be wide and shallow rather than deep or focused on understanding and application. Instruction doesn’t build on students’ interests. This approach may be boring to many students. It can waste students’ time and potential.
2. Character Education
a. Overview. Schools focused on building “character” are often aimed at reaching students from low-income, urban neighborhoods. The idea behind these schools is to help break the cycle of poverty and produce students who can be successful. As such, they often have high expectations for students, especially behaviorally. Their goal is to provide structure and clear consequences so that students can learn how to be good citizens.
b. Classroom climate. Often there is zero tolerance for student misbehavior. Usually traditional, "drill and kill" instruction is emphasized over more creative or student-centered approaches. They may implement a one-size fits all approach to discipline. Some schools may even adopt a military-style, strict obedience approach to discipline.
c. Pluses/Minuses of this approach. On the plus side, this approach may help improve student achievement. It may help students who need structure, routine, and consistent behavioral expectations. On the negative side, there is an over-emphasis on behavioral conditioning (rewards/punishments). Students learn discipline through obedience. For students who balk at this approach, school will feel like an overly punitive and unhappy place. A recent study on a group of schools taking this approach found that although student achievement was better than in schools in the control group, students in these schools did not differ from the control students on measures of character or good behavior.
3. Religious
a. Overview. There are a wide variety of schools with a religious emphasis. Some are independent, some are affiliated with a local faith-based organization, and others, such as Catholic schools, are run like an independent school district with a diocesan superintendent and administrative infrastructure overseeing all the schools in its jurisdiction. Though the schools differ in religious emphasis, their approach is based on their religious principles. Due to separation of church and state in the U.S., these schools are privately funded; however, some states allow for vouchers for select students to attend private schools, so some state funds may be partially subsidizing these schools.
b. Classroom climate. Religious education classes are usually mandatory. Some schools require families to sign a "faith" statement attesting that they affirm the beliefs of the religious organization running the school. Given the lack of state governmental oversight, the school is generally free to make decisions that differ from traditional schools. For instance, they may choose not to participate in the state’s standardized testing system. Decisions must be aligned with the school's mission. There is usually a strict behavior code. Most religious schools embrace a teacher-centered approach grounded in classical or essentialist philosophy.
c. Pluses/Minuses of this approach. On the plus side, the draw of religious schools is that they provide families with a refuge from worldly approaches that may clash with their own belief systems. Further, students will be more likely to befriend students of the same faith at these schools. On the minus side, religious schools may be less tolerant of student diversity, and may not be a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) students. Also, the curriculum may be biased towards a particular religion's interpretation of the subject area. For instance, some more fundamentalist Christian schools may teach that evolution is a theory and that the world was created in 6 days, which contrasts with the generally accepted scientific view of evolution.
4. College Preparatory
a. Overview. “College prep” schools are schools, particularly secondary schools, whose aim is to get their students accepted into good colleges; therefore, students are expected to engage in rigorous class work and are given extensive homework. The curriculum is generally aligned with traditional subjects, and there are high expectations for student achievement.
b. Classroom climate. Prep schools place a heavy emphasis on student achievement, test scores, and good behavior. They often adopt the heavy use of rewards and consequences and focus on reading, writing, math, and foundational academic skills. The curriculum is teacher-centered.
c. Pluses/Minuses of this approach. Pluses: Teachers set high expectations for success. Children who attend these schools may be more likely to get into college compared to traditional schools. Minuses: Their traditional approach to instruction tends to focus on academic achievement to the exclusion of students’ social-emotional well-being. They are not well-equipped to accommodate students with disabilities. There is less room for individual differences and less opportunities for students who are not college-bound.
5. Montessori
a. Overview. Though I addressed Montessori schools as a type of constructivist school a few weeks ago, their approach to education goes beyond their philosophy. “True” Montessori schools, those closely aligned with Maria Montessori's curricular and pedagogical approach to learning, provide a unique learning environment that contrasts quite dramatically with typical U.S. schools. Montessori's methods were initially targeted towards young children from a poor neighborhood in Italy. Many have found her emphasis on early childhood to provide an engaging experience for curious children. Her approach is particularly well-articulated for the early childhood years and through elementary school but was not fully sketched out for secondary schools. One thing that's important to know: The Montessori name is not trademarked, so any school can call themselves a Montessori school. There are two primary groups that offer Montessori accreditation, the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), but accreditation is difficult for schools to obtain as they need to employ a certain percentage of Montessori-certified teachers. Given that such certification is expensive and time-consuming, many Montessori schools have uncertified Montessori teachers and do not fully implement Maria Montessori's vision for schooling.
b. Classroom climate. True Montessori classrooms look very different from traditional schools. For one thing, the teacher sits off to the side observing students, and students initiate their own learning. Teachers may teach small group lessons from time to time, but they mostly observe and redirect students as needed. Students get extended time to work on their own and in small groups.
c. Pluses/Minuses of this approach. Montessori schools that align with Maria Montessori's vision can be places of high engagement and student learning. Preschool students learn independence and how to take care of themselves and the classroom environment. They learn to cut an apple and to clean up their messes. They also learn to read and do math via hands-on, rich sensory materials, like tracing letters on sandpaper or using three-dimensional models to understand geometry. These early immersive experiences can provide a strong foundation for future learning. On the other hand, because the teacher is less involved and students work fairly independently, Montessori schools may not be a good fit for kids who need more direction, have special needs, or have behavioral issues. Some children may not develop strong math or reading skills because if they don't like one center or activity, they may ignore it in favor of other activities.
6. Progressive
a. Overview. Progressive schools are often based in a constructivist philosophy of education, but they may also embrace other philosophies, such as democratic or social justice worldviews. There are so many different types of progressive schools, from “free” schools, to Waldorf schools, to Emilio Reggio schools. Progressive schools adopt a humanistic, “whole child” approach to education, are democratic, student-centered, and creative places for learning. The curriculum is often interdisciplinary, project-based, and dependent upon student interests.
b. Classroom climate. Progressive classrooms are usually noisy with a lot of student activity happening. Students have “voices and choices” in their learning. Projects may take days or weeks to complete. Testing is de-emphasized.
c. Pluses/Minuses of this approach. Students have a lot of autonomy and get to dive deeply into topics that interest them. They may develop advanced skills and deep understanding in areas of their interest. They are often highly engaged in learning and like attending school. Minuses: Students may not acquire certain skills or key areas of background knowledge. Students may not have the necessary classes to get into the colleges of their choice.
7. Private Tutoring
a. Overview. May be chosen by parents who want their child to develop one particular area to the top level (dance, chess, singing, acting, Olympic sports), so coaches are employed to teach the desired skill, and tutors hired or online schools are used to teach traditional academic subjects. Tutoring may also be something added to the child's day (e.g., typical school during the day, then intense practice at one thing with a special teacher after hours or on weekends).
b. Classroom climate. There are no traditional classrooms in this approach. The student works with the tutor usually at the students’ home or at the designated performance arena (e.g., gymnastics center, performance hall).
c. Pluses/Minuses of this approach. Plus: A dedicated tutor or coach can produce great progress in the shortest amount of time because instruction is completely individualized for your child. Minuses: One-on-one teaching lacks peer interaction, can be high-pressured, and may neglect other areas of learning. It may leave a student highly skilled in one area with deficits in other areas, which can affect them if they choose a different path down the road.
For Further Reading
