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North Carolina Public vs. Private Schools Comparison Chart
| Public Schools | Private Schools | |
| U.S. Enrollment | Approximately 49.8 million students; 90% of children attend public schools | Approximately 5.1 million students |
| NC Enrollment | 1.5 million students | 119,936 students
|
| Number in NC | 2,592 (including 159 charters) | 754
|
| Teacher Credentials | Teachers must obtain state license to teach. Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in the subject they wish to teach. Must pass background check. | Not required to have certification or license to teach. Schools can freely terminate teachers and do not have to perform background checks on them. |
| Funding | Financed through federal, state, and local governments; grants, awards, donations | Tuition, gifts, endowments, private corporations, fundraising, grants |
| Tuition Vouchers | No, schools are free for every student | Yes, income-eligible students who have spent at least a semester in public school (unless in K or 1st, foster care, or an active duty military family) can receive up to $4,200 per year. |
| Average Cost of Year | $0 | $7,925 for elementary and middle,
$9,065 for high school |
| Admissions | By law, public schools must accept all children in their geographic attendance zones | Competitive enrollment. Schools can deny admission of anyone who does not meet their eligibility |
| School Year | Required to meet minimum term set by state, currently minimum of 185 days or 1,025 hours of instruction | Must operate at least nine months of year, state “strongly advises” term of 180 days of at least 5.5 hours – or 990 instructional hours |
| Class Size | Larger class sizes. Average 15.4 students per teacher | Smaller class sizes. Average 12.5 students per teacher |
| Curriculum | State guidelines set specific standards and assessment procedures | No curriculum requirements. |
| Testing | Required by law to administer federal and state tests | Nationally standardized testing mandated in 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th. |
| Religion | No religious affiliations | Schools may have religious affiliations; 70% of NC private school students are in religious schools; more than 90% of voucher students attend religious schools. |
| Special Needs Children | Required to educate all children and provide necessary resources to meet special needs | Do not have to accept children with special needs |
| Anti-Discrimination | Must comply with federal, state, and local nondiscrimination measures. | Cannot discriminate on basis of race, but can consider religion, sex, LGBT status and disability. |
| Transportation | All districts provide free transportation to all students. | Not required to provide transportation for students |
Resources:
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d13/
http://www.privateschoolreview.com/north-carolina
https://ncdoa.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/documents/files/14-15CSStats.pdf
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/fbs/resources/data/factsfigures/2015-16figures.pdf
http://ncadmin.nc.gov/citizens/private-school/private-schools-k-12-requirements
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/private-vs-public-schools/
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/public-school-vs-private-school
http://www.thetimesnews.com/article/20150707/NEWS/150709277/15282/NEWS
http://www.piedmontparent.com/PP/Public-vs-Private-Schools/
Last updated: June 2016