Do private school students have more confidence than public school students?

[Anonymous]

Even controlling for wealth and parents education and SES, does it seem to you that private school students are more confident than their public school peers? I notice in the HS interns that we get that even if grades and intelligence are similar, the private school kids are more confident.

Have you noticed this phenomenon as well?

[Anonymous]

I think it is called entitlement.

[Anonymous]

more spoiled and cocky, yes but more confidence? no.

[Anonymous]

It depends entirely upon the kid not the school.

[Anonymous]

OK, so my kid goes to a private school and here is what I notice (note: it is not an exclusive private school). The students are expected to dress professionally. They wear ties and button down shirts beginning in third grade. For this reason, they are just more comfortable dressing professionally when they start working. It's second nature.

Next, the teachers all greet the boys with a handshake and a proper introduction when they see them in the hallways. Hello Mr. Larlo, how are you today? This just makes them more used to professional greetings.

Last, the boys are given more freedom and respect from the teachers. They are treated like young men. There are fewer sets of strict rules in the privates, less supervision of the playground, and higher expectations for good behavior. The kids seem to generally rise to the challenge and the expectations.

I am sure that the more exclusive schools do have kids that are exposed to more professional situations, country clubs, etc. But even in the ones where that is not the norm, there seems to be a difference.

In my experience, the education was as good or high in MCPS, but the extracurriculars (arts, music, sports, etc.) are MUCH better in the privates -- except for perhaps, drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends entirely upon the kid not the school.

+1000
I find it silly to think that somebody is attributing “confidence” to the type of school a person attends.
Crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, so my kid goes to a private school and here is what I notice (note: it is not an exclusive private school). The students are expected to dress professionally. They wear ties and button down shirts beginning in third grade. For this reason, they are just more comfortable dressing professionally when they start working. It's second nature.

Next, the teachers all greet the boys with a handshake and a proper introduction when they see them in the hallways. Hello Mr. Larlo, how are you today? This just makes them more used to professional greetings.

Last, the boys are given more freedom and respect from the teachers. They are treated like young men. There are fewer sets of strict rules in the privates, less supervision of the playground, and higher expectations for good behavior. The kids seem to generally rise to the challenge and the expectations.

I am sure that the more exclusive schools do have kids that are exposed to more professional situations, country clubs, etc. But even in the ones where that is not the norm, there seems to be a difference.

In my experience, the education was as good or high in MCPS, but the extracurriculars (arts, music, sports, etc.) are MUCH better in the privates -- except for perhaps, drama.

This is all interesting, but it has nothing to do with a child’s confidence.
FWIW - I do not believe confidence is instilled at school as much as it is at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, so my kid goes to a private school and here is what I notice (note: it is not an exclusive private school). The students are expected to dress professionally. They wear ties and button down shirts beginning in third grade. For this reason, they are just more comfortable dressing professionally when they start working. It's second nature.

Next, the teachers all greet the boys with a handshake and a proper introduction when they see them in the hallways. Hello Mr. Larlo, how are you today? This just makes them more used to professional greetings.

Last, the boys are given more freedom and respect from the teachers. They are treated like young men. There are fewer sets of strict rules in the privates, less supervision of the playground, and higher expectations for good behavior. The kids seem to generally rise to the challenge and the expectations.

I am sure that the more exclusive schools do have kids that are exposed to more professional situations, country clubs, etc. But even in the ones where that is not the norm, there seems to be a difference.

In my experience, the education was as good or high in MCPS, but the extracurriculars (arts, music, sports, etc.) are MUCH better in the privates -- except for perhaps, drama.

This is all interesting, but it has nothing to do with a child’s confidence.
FWIW - I do not believe confidence is instilled at school as much as it is at home.

It may not really have anything to do with a child's level of confidence, but it goes a long way in making them LOOK confident to outside observers.

[Anonymous]

I think it is confidence. And that confidence is as a result of having teachers who engage them, listen to them and treat them with respect. What goes around comes around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is called entitlement.

lol

agree

signed,
former private AND public school student

[Anonymous]

I think they are more confident because there is less competition in a private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, so my kid goes to a private school and here is what I notice (note: it is not an exclusive private school). The students are expected to dress professionally. They wear ties and button down shirts beginning in third grade. For this reason, they are just more comfortable dressing professionally when they start working. It's second nature.

Next, the teachers all greet the boys with a handshake and a proper introduction when they see them in the hallways. Hello Mr. Larlo, how are you today? This just makes them more used to professional greetings.

Last, the boys are given more freedom and respect from the teachers. They are treated like young men. There are fewer sets of strict rules in the privates, less supervision of the playground, and higher expectations for good behavior. The kids seem to generally rise to the challenge and the expectations.

I am sure that the more exclusive schools do have kids that are exposed to more professional situations, country clubs, etc. But even in the ones where that is not the norm, there seems to be a difference.

In my experience, the education was as good or high in MCPS, but the extracurriculars (arts, music, sports, etc.) are MUCH better in the privates -- except for perhaps, drama.

This is all interesting, but it has nothing to do with a child’s confidence.
FWIW - I do not believe confidence is instilled at school as much as it is at home.

Of course it has to do with confidence! In general, people are more comfortable in situations with which they are familiar and comfortable. So if you are comfortable interacting with adults professionally, dressing professionally, etc., then you will be more confident in those situations than someone for whom it is new. Of course, there's always someone who can walk into any situation no matter how strange and be totally confident and exceptional. Likewise, there's always some kid who will be concerned and uncomfortable no matter what. But for most people, you gain confidence by being comfortable and having practiced a situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they are more confident because there is less competition in a private school.

Well if its a strong academic private school, the competition is actually more fierce and the standards of academic understanding and intellectual curiosity higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they are more confident because there is less competition in a private school.

Well if its a strong academic private school, the competition is actually more fierce and the standards of academic understanding and intellectual curiosity higher.

Competition is more fierce for what in private? There are more spots on the sports teams, academic league, school play. More resources to help children get into a good college. More money in general to help children. The standards may be higher, but there is more help to achieve them and less people to compete against.

[Anonymous]

They have more arrogance.