What are the main differences working at a private school vs. public? I've taught in a public school for all 10 years of my career. I've been offered a role at a private school - similar salary / role. Any thoughts on if this would be good or bad?

You also need to compare retirement, health benefits, payscale (raises/steps/etc), tenure, contract hours, and after hours commitments, committee requirements, etc. main difference is typically in the retirement, benefits, and no union which impacts contracts, hours, etc.

I spent the first 15 years working in independent schools in NJ before becoming more involved in public schools. As far as your day to day and working with other teachers, a school is a school is a school. That said, while all independent schools have some things in common with each other on a surface level because the administrators belong to an association and attend the same conferences, each independent school has its own unique history and character. Some are great places to work and others are dysfunctional. I think the same is true of public schools, though. On average, I think the salaries are lower at independent schools, especially if you compare them with public school salaries in wealthy suburbs, but independent schools have longer breaks—-two weeks for the winter holidays, two weeks for spring break, and three months in the summer, usually closing after the first week of June. Typically independent schools invest a lot in PD so you can request funding to attend conferences like ASCD in the summer and others. Also, independent school teachers tend to enjoy a lot more autonomy in regard to curriculum and teaching. When I taught at Montclair Kimberley, we wrote most of the curriculum ourselves and could then easily adjust it to meet the needs of individual students and cohorts from year to year. In general, I felt like I was treated and perceived as a professional—much more so than in public school. I was given all the materials I needed and could make purchases as needed and get reimbursed. I wanted for nothing. There were leadership opportunities, even at the early childhood level, and time was carved out of the schedule for teachers to collaborate. On the downside, it was A LOT more work than public school because we created everything ourselves and other than the Everyday Math workbook and the handwriting workbook, didn’t really use workbooks, worksheets, or anything that made student work easy to assess. We preferred that, but authentic assessment is time consuming so we paid a price. Also, every year I had at least four very demanding and exasperating parents who stressed me out, took up a lot of my time, and sometimes made me fear for my job (in public school I might have one or two at the most). At independent schools you typically get a hot lunch every day and there are creature comforts like free coffee and a nicely equipped faculty room. The buildings and grounds are often beautiful. The kids are nice; however, it’s not uncommon to have students with learning disabilities, emotional or attentional regulation issues or something else going on whose parents are in denial or avoiding having them “labeled” and put in special education by sending them to a private school. Then it becomes your job to either not make waves and pass the child on or actually try to do something for the kid which could bring the whole house down on you if your principal doesn’t have a backbone. To be fair, it could also go the other way: I’ve had parents practically adopt me as a family member for doing so much for their child. I should mention, however, that public school principals tend to be better because they have degrees in school leadership. Many independent school principals don’t and it really shows at times. A big plus is that independent schools tend to be less bureaucratic. Teachers usually have more input than in public schools and it’s easier to make changes to curriculum and programs. There’s a lot more support staff, including counselors and school psychologists. There’s usually a parking lot, which takes away the added stress of finding street parking in the morning. I’m trying to think of what else, but I think I’ve covered the important things. Just keep in mind that a parochial school is something else all together, so don’t think for a minute that your typical Catholic School is going to be like an independent school. I worked at one—lasted only two months—and it had all the worst qualities of independent and public schools combined. No teaching materials or books in the classroom library (I was expected to buy everything myself) and horrible parents.

Brass, Marble, Regatta Clubs, Polo?! If it’s an IB school depending on the country you’re in; no standardized testing. You can maximize real teaching time and not be reduced to being a part of a system that feeds corporate testing greed with taxpayer money while it contributes to a lower national IQ but makes politicians even more wealthy. Which should make you feel like jumping out of bed every morning.

Oh, yes, here’s one other important thing to keep in mind when considering teaching at an independent school: the age and history of the school really matter. Older schools (100 years) are less tuition dependent because they have a larger alumni base. That means they can solicit donations as needed and therefore current parents have much less influence. Those are the schools that are able to stay committed to their vision and mission and not make compromises when vocal parents try to change things. Schools that are newer are more tuition dependent and therefore parents have a lot more say.

If it’s a boarding school they probably pay better AND you get to keep your social security. If it’s a regular religious private, probably pays less.

Possibly helicopter parents who think tuition has bought their child's grades, your compliance.

An environment that is less inclusive.

In my anecdotal experience, more bullying and classicism at private school.

Private school you have no protections. They could fire you for any reason or no reason at all. Yes, check to see if service counts toward your retirement. Every private school salary I've seen is way less. Plus, private school can just mandate you to teacher however or whatever they want. You have zero say in it.

So…I’m not too familiar with private schools but I know at Charter Schools you’re more disposable. There is no union to protect you and they terminate at will. The benefits and salary were much lower for me at the charter as well. The conditions were much worse. I’m not sure what life would have been like at a nice private school

I think private or gov same..its depend on leader.

Public schools are far more likely to be unionized. Despite a lot of propaganda, that's almost entirely a good thing--it means admin can fire bad teachers, but reduces the amount of petty politics that result in teachers losing jobs because of nepotism or favoritism. If you're a bad teacher in a unionized public school, public school admin can fire you, but if you're a good teacher, your job is more secure.

But public schools generally have to take, and usually keep, any kid who lives in the district. Private schools can pick and choose, and typically refuse or expel kids who are hard to teach because of their behavior or disability (unless their parents are VERY generous). You're probably likely to see fewer disruptive behaviors in private schools. Less violence, yelling, and swearing. Though more entitlement.

You said the position has similar pay. That's unusual, but it removes one of the public school advantages: publics usually pay better. You might want to investigate whether that will remain true. Can you expect raises at the private school like you would at a public? Does CT still offer a pension, or are you grandfathered into an older retirement system? That might change things. I've heard of private school teachers being promised a pension that was withdrawn; if a state government offers it, it's probably more secure.

Instruction in private schools is usually more traditional and old-fashioned, and public schools are usually instructionally stronger. But private school students almost always come from more stable homes where education is more important. So at public schools, you'll probably work with better teachers, but at private schools, you'll probably have better students.

There is not one simple answer here. If you can talk to someone who works at the private school you're considering, you're likely to get more specific information than anybody here can offer.

I work at a private school now. I have been here for 10 years. I am a woman of color and the private school here lacks diversity among students and faculty. Overall, parents can be a hindrance sometimes but the administration for the most part holds their ground with them. There is a lack of resources in private schools that students in public schools are obligated to receive like an ESOL teacher, speech, and reading interventionist, etc...Most of the students don't have the attitude of entitlement. For the most part, I love it.

Public schools have unions, good salaries (I see you're in CT too; we have a higher COL than many other states, but we make more compared to other states and have excellent benefits). We have special services for students who need them. Tenure. Contracts. Private schools may lack diversity. If it's a religious private school, there may be less choice. (Since you're saying the salary is similar, it's probably not parochial, which pays less.) Make sure this is not a charter school masquerading as some kind of academy. If you are unhappy in your job, it's better to look in another public school district.

In my experience, more micromanaging, more parental interference, and a non union environment, so no support.

My only knowledge of The differences between Public and Private schools was as a student. My father put me in a private school to keep me out of "special education." In the 70's special education was providing no meaningful education at all.

At a private school, I was just in the same classes as everyone else. Yes, I had trouble with things. However, it wasn't until I was in high school that I realized what was going on.