Head of School Blog "Top 8 Reasons To Choose An Independent School Like Orchard"

Tom Rosenbluth
1. Independence in the truest sense of the world. Independent schools are governed by a board of trustees, not a public school board. They are primarily supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions, and endowment revenue.
  • Independent school teachers have the freedom to create educational experiences that meet each child’s needs, without state mandates on curriculum, textbooks, and testing.
2. Mission-driven education. Whether co-ed or single sex, day school or boarding school, each independent school is driven by its own unique philosophy, values, and approach to teaching.
  • The wide diversity among independent schools allows you to find a school that is a great fit for your student.
3. High academic standards. Independent schools nurture intellectual curiosity, stimulate personal growth, encourage critical thinking, and promote a lifelong love of learning.
  • More students in independent schools go on to enroll in advanced courses than in public, parochial, and other private schools.
4. Small classes that allow for individual attention. Low student-teacher ratios encourage close connections between instructors and students.
  • The median ratio in NAIS schools was 8.6 students to each teacher in 2016. At Orchard it is about 7:1. This allows Orchard teachers to be responsive to the interests and needs of each individual student.
5. Excellent teachers. Independent school instructors usually teach in their areas of expertise. They strive to develop a full understanding of each student’s learning style, interests, and motivation.
  • Graduates of independent schools have a greater likelihood of completing a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree. Additionally, at Orchard there is a strong professional development program and faculty are continuously deepening their knowledge.
6. Education for the whole child. In addition to academics, independent schools also nurture students’ personal and social growth and civic conscience.
  • Outside the classroom, students participate in school-sponsored athletic competitions, artistic pursuits, and leadership experiences. At Orchard, we are committed to helping develop graduates who have both a depth of knowledge in subject areas and the heart, character and ethical compass to strive to make the world a better place.
7. Inclusiveness. Independent schools foster diverse and vibrant student communities that welcome and respect every family.
  • In 2015-2016, students of color were 26 percent of independent school enrollment, while 3.2 percent of students were from other countries. At Orchard, 26% of our families self-identify as people of color and 34% receive financial assistance so there is a great deal of socio-economic diversity. We also embrace multiple perspectives in our curriculum and feel it is our duty to help our students explore complex issues so they become sophisticated thinkers with inclusive dispositions in an increasingly pluralistic world.
8. A community of parents who actively participate in their children’s education. Independent schools promote regular communication among students, parents, and teachers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.
  • As a parent, you can actively engage in your student’s education, because the staff and teachers want and value your participation. At Orchard your child’s teachers will regularly conference with you, write narrative comments and progress reports and are always available. Parents know their children best and an essential element in the parent/school partnership is honest, frequent communication with the best interest of the child at the center.
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