The main difference between a public school and a private school is who pays for the education. City, state and federal monies support public schools. Families who choose to send their children to private school pay for it themselves.

This money difference has created some stereotypes about kids who attend private and public schools. While the cost factor is different, all preteens and teens are very much alike. They’re the same age and interested in the same music, clothes, youth culture and have similar hopes for the future. Both groups can go on to attend college and work hard to earn scholarships. While some colleges may view public schools differently, they are able to see from test scores, GPA, activities, and other information whether a student from either one deserves acceptance or not.

If you go to a private boarding school, you might feel more prepared for college because you have already lived away from home. This will not necessarily give you an “edge” on getting into college, but it might make you feel more comfortable because you are familiar with living on a school campus. Then again, lots of kids at public school have no trouble adjusting to a college campus.

It doesn’t really matter how much your parents paid for you to go to high school, or what high school you attended. It is always up to you whether you want to start working after high school, take a year off, or go to college right away. It’s important to understand the differences between public and private schools, but in the end, you are the one who determines how much you learn and how successful you are.