Part of parenting means deciding what type of education you want for your child. Children learn in different ways — and at different paces — so determining whether to send your child to public or private school can be difficult. Unfortunately, there isn't one right answer. In order to make an informed decision, you need to weigh all of your options.

Class Size

Class size is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a school for your child. Some children thrive in large classrooms. However, large classes aren't suitable for all children. Most students benefit from learning environments that have 20 students or less. Students who are in a smaller class, often get higher grades than students in large classes. Also, students who have been able to study in classrooms with no more than 20 students throughout their entire academic career are more likely to graduate high school.

There's a good chance that the private schools in your area will have smaller class sizes than the public schools — especially if you live in a heavily populated area. However, that isn't always the case. There are many public schools that offer smaller class sizes. So, before you make a final decision, check the average class size at both the public and private schools in your area.

Location

If you live in an area that doesn't have a great public school system, sending your child to private school is a great option. Depending on the area that you live in, a private school may be able to provide our child with a better education than he or she would receive at public school. So, if your local public school system is less than desirable, take some time to compare test scores and graduation rates for the schools that you're considering for your child to determine which has better academic rankings. Most states require students to take aptitude tests to determine how well the students academic levels compare to other students in the same grade. In addition to the results of the tests, some school rankings factor in things such as the overall experience of students, the importance of college readiness, available extra curricular activities, and safety into a school's score. This way, you can choose a school that fits your child's needs.

As a parent, it's up to you to decide what type of education you want your child to receive. Take the time to research the public and private school options in your area so that you can make an informed decision.