Why do people favour elite schools?

[ninwa]

I'm glad I went to a private school because it offered me a fantastic musical education (one year's free tuition on an instrument of my choice in year 7, orchestras/ensembles/choirs, myriad concerts, etc.), which I don't think most public schools have.

It wasn't a hyper-competitive place like I'd imagine MHS or Mac.Rob would be, but there was enough of it to keep me on my toes. My school wasn't "elite" academically but we'd have at least one 99.90 or 99.95 each year.

We had some excellent teachers, which some public schools unfortunately just can't afford, e.g. my English teachers all had law degrees (overkill much?)

I don't think I would have done as well at a public school because I just lack that self-motivation, so in my case, yes a private school was instrumental in helping me to succeed.

[ninwa]

the best public schools are probably not far behind the best private schools in my opinion.

yes because they're selective

[JellyDonut]

$3.50 for my local library card, borrowed books when I needed them to supplement my textbooks and teachers.

Do you also work as a janitor at MIT?

[aes_999]

People favour elite schools due to prestige, the same way as why IN GENERAL, people rate Melbourne Uni higher than Monash. That, and usually the range of facilities & corricular activities offered in elite schools. That being said, it's up to your own abilities and motivation to get a high academic score.

[Sellingman]

$3.50 for my local library card, borrowed books when I needed them to supplement my textbooks and teachers.

Do you also work as a janitor at MIT?

[MJRomeo81]

To me it depends on what job you're after. If you need the high 90 ATAR then go to an elite school, and vice versa.

My ATAR this year was 85.70 which is fairly high in my public school. However, the environment I believe had a significant influence on my score. Not to sound cocky but I can't explain how hard it was to find motivation when you're constantly surrounded by people who couldn't care.

Do I regret going to a below average school? Absolutely not. It was enough for me to get into my course and I still received a decent education. In all honesty, I think going to a good university is more important in the long run.

[b^3]

$3.50 for my local library card, borrowed books when I needed them to supplement my textbooks and teachers.

Do you also work as a janitor at MIT?

LOL! I was watching Good Will Hunting last night :p

Anway I partially agree to both sides here. Even in a public school, if a student is motivated enought to try hard and aim high, then they will do well, (i.e. like me, don't have much but was able to get 97.75 this year, although AN might have contributed to that. Also had a mate in a similar situation that was able to achieve a 98.xx). But private schools do appear to have more resources, the ability to use more of the potential of the student. The amount that a private school will help a student over a public school will vary, if you've "got it", then you will do well anywhere with the private school giving you a slightly higher school. For others, the private school atmosphere may work better and they will have a larger difference in what they would achieve at a private school to a public school.

In the end in a public school it comes down to wether or not you can put off all the distracts and motivate yourself to work hard (it does happen). But for some going to a private school won't make a large difference.

If only education was equal and fair.

[s...]

hey, please don't forget the kids who get schlorships into the private schools, and work rediciously hard to keep their place there.

Anyway, there are always slackers in private schools. But the careers person just tells them to not go for maths and science subjects, which is a bit mean.

s.

[b^3]

Something I forgot to mention. There was a 99.95 from someone at St.Albans secondary college this year (western suburbs ). So it can be done.

[paulsterio]

the best public schools are probably not far behind the best private schools in my opinion.

yes because they're selective

no, i meant non-select entry (so like my school for example)

[pi]

the best public schools are probably not far behind the best private schools in my opinion.

yes because they're selective

no, i meant non-select entry (so like my school for example)

Scotch or MGS or CGS or Haileybury are far better than GWSC or Balwyn or UHS imo

[chocolatedaddy]

Are select entry schools better than top tier private schools. I went to a private primary school at its standars was rubbish(Fractions in Year 6), so I might be a bit bias but public schools seem to provide better education based on content rather environment.

[pi]

I went to a private primary school at its standars was rubbish(Fractions in Year 6)

Public primary schools are the same, if not worse lol

[chocolatedaddy]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been dux of school 2 years running.

[Reckoner]

Out of the two best in my year at school (private), one went to a private primary school, the other a public. I don't think that the primary school has a drastic effect on the performance of the student in their later schooling years, from a strictly results perspective at least.