What Is a Private School and How Do You Evaluate One?
A private school is a school governed independently of the local public school district, funded primarily by tuition and private contributions rather than taxpayer dollars, and free to set its own admissions standards and curriculum. That definition matters because it explains almost every practical difference you will notice as a parent: who gets in, what gets taught, how much it costs, and who is accountable when something goes wrong. St. Gregory Cathedral School in Tyler, Texas, is a useful concrete example — a Catholic elementary school founded in 1946, serving pre-K through 5th grade, and described as East Texas' oldest private elementary school.
How private schools differ from public schools
| Dimension | Public school | Private school |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Local district and state oversight | Independent board, religious order, or owner |
| Funding | Tax revenue | Tuition, donations, fundraising |
| Admissions | Generally open to residents | School sets its own criteria; may be selective |
| Curriculum | State-mandated standards | School-designed, within any accreditation requirements |
| Religion | Secular | May be religious or secular |
| Accountability | State reporting and testing rules | Accreditation bodies, parent expectations |
The funding difference is the root of the others. Because a private school does not receive per-pupil tax money, tuition is typically its main revenue, which in turn shapes class size, staffing, and facilities. Because it is not run by the district, it can require an application, an interview, or a faith commitment — and it can also be closed or restructured without a public vote.
Types of private schools
- Religious. Affiliated with a church or denomination. St. Gregory Cathedral School states that it "infuses the teachings of Jesus Christ in all areas of student life" and frames its mission as the educational ministry of the Catholic Church. It is listed among Diocese of Tyler Schools.
- Secular independent. No religious affiliation; often emphasize college preparation or a specific pedagogy.
- Montessori and other method schools. Organized around a defined teaching approach rather than a religious tradition.
- Specialized. Focused on a population or need — for example, schools with dedicated programs for gifted and talented students or for students with dyslexia. St. Gregory lists Gifted and Talented and Dyslexia among its program keywords, which is the kind of specialization worth asking about directly.
What to check when evaluating a specific school
Work through these in order, because each one can eliminate a school before you spend time on a visit.
- Accreditation and affiliation. Confirm which body accredits the school and what that requires. St. Gregory identifies itself with the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, which tells you who oversees its Catholic identity and academic standards.
- Grades served and fit. St. Gregory covers pre-K to 5th grade. If your child is older, or you need a school that continues through high school, that alone may rule it out — though the same diocese lists Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School in Tyler for later grades.
- Class size and student-teacher ratio. Ask for current numbers, not marketing averages. Small classes are a common reason families choose private school, so verify it.
- Curriculum and special programs. Ask specifically how gifted and talented students are served and how dyslexia or other learning needs are supported. A program name on a website is not the same as a staffing plan.
- Tuition, fees, and financial aid. Request the full cost picture: base tuition, registration, books, uniforms, technology, activities, and any required fundraising. Note that the school's public page does not list prices, so you must ask. Also ask whether any state programs apply — St. Gregory links to Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), a state mechanism some families use toward private school costs. Eligibility rules change, so confirm current terms with the school and the state.
- Faith and daily life. For a religious school, ask how religion appears in the day: chapel or Mass frequency, religion classes, and whether non-Catholic families are admitted and how they are included.
- Outcomes and transitions. Ask where graduates go next and how the school prepares them for that step.
How to visit and what to ask
A tour answers questions a website cannot. Before you go, request the admissions packet and the current calendar; St. Gregory's site offers Admissions, Calendar, and Email links as starting points.
During the visit, watch for:
- Actual classroom activity. Are students engaged, and is the room organized for the age group?
- Teacher tenure and turnover. Long-serving staff usually signal a stable environment.
- Communication norms. How do parents hear about progress and problems, and how often?
- Safety and logistics. Drop-off, pickup, and supervision during the day.
Ask these directly:
- What is the total annual cost, including everything not in base tuition?
- What financial aid exists, and what is the application deadline?
- How are students with learning differences supported, and are there additional fees for that support?
- What are the class sizes at each grade level?
- What accreditation do you hold, and when is your next review?
- If we enroll mid-year, how is the transition handled?
A reasonable decision process
Shortlist two or three schools that match your child's age, your budget, and your priorities. For each, verify accreditation, get the full cost in writing, and visit during a normal school day. Compare the same dimensions across all of them rather than letting one impressive feature decide it. If cost is the binding constraint, ask about aid and any applicable state program before ruling a school out — and confirm current eligibility, since these programs and their rules are not fixed.