Is Class Size a Good Reason to Switch Schools?

only 20 kids in a class is a great size! When we lived in CA my daughters kindergarten class had 30 kids with only 1 teacher, no aide. It was chaos! When we moved to VA her new class has only 22 kids and has 2 teachers and 1 aide. The class is AMAZING and they run it perfectly! I would not leave the school just because there are only 20 kids in the class. At least give it a try and if it seems like the teachers can't handle it, then maybe think about it for the next school year

The strongest predictor of a child's success in school is parental involvement, not class size. I'm actually in envy of a 20 kid 3rd grade class. My DD's 3rd grade has 32 kids this year. I think if the tuition hike is not unreasonable, and does not put a financial burden on you, I wouldn't switch schools, especially if your son is happy and doing well and since you KNOW the teachers are both good too. You never really know what the class size will be exactly, the school may have several other families leaving because of the changes.

What I found interesting is that my older two in private schools with class sizes around 30 students got a better education than my younger two in the public schools with smaller classes and more funding.

So I would say it is not a good reason.

If my third was not special needs all four of my kids would be in private schools.

You may want to double check to see what class sizes will be like next year in the public school. Most public schools in this area (DFW) will have larger classes next year. Good luck with your decision.

I think it is a very good reason, but also teacher capability and patience. Before switching, I would meet w/ his teachers for next year to see how they will handle his special needs, and maybe have the same meeting with his potential teachers at your local public school. Some teachers are great, (public or private) with "difficult" children. But, if he gets the wrong one, it could cause him to fall behind and have a very hard time catching up.

Just FYI, the legislature is most likely going to increase the allowable class size in public schools also. We are expecting up to 25 in a room. The limit now is 22. Hope this helps some.

It is a good reason to switch, but there are other considerations as well. If the private schools are growing, you can imagine how many will be in public school classes. Also, the academic program matters a great deal, as does your involvement in whatever school he is in. Look at the teachers as well. If they are super teachers, they will still be super with 20 in the class versus 9. 20 is not a huge class number anymore either. Is one of the school's advertising points the small class size? If so, is the tuition going to go down if the class size they touted in years past is doubled? Cost is a valid consideration as well. If after considering other factors, is the cost still worth what you know your child is receiving or is it a deal breaker? If the main reason you have him in this school is the class size and personal attention, then your reasons for wanting to switch are completely valid as you won't be paying the high cost for getting the same thing the public schools offer. Lots to consider!

Be careful. I would not make any haste decisions without touring the public school and speaking with the teachers and maybe other parents that have kids that attend classes there. Our kids are in a private Montessori school and they mix levels and have LARGE class sizes. Pre-Primary, which is pre-school-Kindergarten are in a class together, 1st-3rd grade are together and 4th-6th together. My girls are 3 & 6 in two different Pre-Primary classes there and each has 40-50 kids per class!! I was VERY concerned about the LARGE class sizes, but we are getting what we are paying for education wise. I live in a great school district with smaller class sizes, but my kids will not get the environment or education that they are getting now if we were to move them. We would save THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of dollars, but we are seeing the benefits of our investment. Grass isn't always greener on the other side as the old saying goes. And sometimes you get do get what you pay for.