Private vs. Public School in South Jersey: A Parent's Comparison Guide

Choosing where your child will spend their elementary years is one of the biggest decisions a South Jersey family will make. Public schools serve the vast majority of children in Atlantic and Ocean Counties and do a lot of good work — but for many families, an independent private school like Highland Academy is a better match for how their child learns. This guide walks through the most common questions parents ask us when comparing the two.

Class size and individualized attention

The single biggest difference families notice is class size. Many public elementary schools in South Jersey run classes of 22–28 students, with one teacher and limited aide support. At Highland Academy, classes are intentionally kept small — typically 12–16 students — so every child is known by name, by interest, and by how they learn best.

Smaller classes mean a teacher can spot a struggling reader in week two instead of month four, push an advanced math student further without holding back the group, and actually have time for the hands-on projects, discussions, and one-on-one conferences that make learning stick.

Curriculum flexibility

Public schools in New Jersey follow state-mandated curriculum and assessment schedules. That ensures consistency, but it also limits how much a teacher can deviate when a class is ready to go deeper — or needs more time on a foundational skill.

As an independent school, Highland Academy meets and exceeds state standards but isn't bound by them. Our teachers can extend a science unit because the class is fascinated, integrate writing into a history project, or slow down on fractions until every child is confident. The curriculum serves the children, not the other way around.

Specials, arts, and enrichment

Budget pressure has thinned out art, music, and physical education in many South Jersey public schools — often down to once a week or shared across grade levels. Highland Academy treats the arts, theater, Spanish, technology, and physical education as core parts of a well-rounded education, not extras to cut when budgets tighten.

School culture and community

Public schools draw from a zoned attendance area, which can mean hundreds of students per grade in larger districts. Highland Academy is small by design. Students from Pre-K through 8th grade share one building, older students mentor younger ones, and families know each other across grade levels. Parents are welcomed in — not just for conferences, but for performances, classroom visits, and everyday conversations at pickup.

Outcomes and high-school readiness

Highland Academy students consistently test in the top percentiles on standardized assessments and move on to competitive public, magnet, and private high schools across South Jersey well prepared — academically, socially, and in their study habits. Small classes and strong writing and math foundations carry forward.

Cost — and what you're actually paying for

Public school is free at the point of use; private school tuition is a real financial commitment. What tuition pays for at Highland Academy is small class sizes, an enriched curriculum, dedicated specialists, and a school culture that treats every child as an individual. For families where that fit matters, the value is clear — and we work with families on tuition planning where we can.

How to decide what's right for your family

• Visit. A 30-minute tour during a school day tells you more than any website. Watch how teachers talk to students and how students talk to each other.
• Ask about class size — by grade. Averages can hide a lot. Ask the specific number in the grade your child would enter.
• Ask how the school handles a struggling student and an advanced student. Both answers should be specific.
• Talk to current families. Schools should be happy to connect you with parents whose children are a similar age to yours.

Visit Highland Academy

If you're researching elementary options in Absecon, Galloway, Egg Harbor Township, Linwood, Northfield, Smithville, or anywhere else in South Jersey, we'd love to show you around. Call (609) 652-9500 or request a tour — most families know within ten minutes of walking through the door whether Highland feels like home.