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Why An Independent School?
With so many educational options available to parents, it's hard to tell the difference between what's out there—much less make the right decision for your child. Here are some important factors that set independent schools apart and set your child up for long-term success.
What is an independent school?
The name says it all: independent schools are governed by a board of trustees, not a public school board, corporation, church, or individual. Independent schools are strictly non-profit entities, self-funded by student tuition supplemented by donations and an endowment. Because they depend on student tuition, independent schools fall under the wider umbrella of "private schools"—but not all private schools are independent! For example, a Catholic school that is directly run by an archdiocese is not an independent school, since it's owned and operated by the Church rather than a self-governing board.
What makes independent schools special?
There are over 2,000 independent schools in the United States, coming in all shapes and sizes: elementary and secondary; day and boarding; single-sex and coed; religiously affiliated and nonsectarian. The Miami Valley School is the only independent school in the Dayton area serving students from Junior Pre-Kindergarten to 12th. It is a non-religious, college preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, lifelong learning, and real-world experience as exemplified by the school's signature academic approach, the MVS Immersion Method. MVS is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and undergoes a regular process to maintain that accreditation.
Learn More: Parents' Guide to Independent Schools (via National Association of Independent Schools)
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The name says it all: independent schools are governed by a board of trustees, not a public school board, corporation, church, or individual. Independent schools are strictly non-profit entities, self-funded by student tuition supplemented by donations and an endowment. Because they depend on student tuition, independent schools fall under the wider umbrella of "private schools"—but not all private schools are independent! For example, a Catholic school that is directly run by an archdiocese is not an independent school, since it's owned and operated by the Church rather than a self-governing board.
What makes independent schools special?
- Freedom to innovate. Teachers at independent schools have greater freedom and opportunity to create educational experiences that are relevant to today's world and informed by the needs of each student. Independent schools are generally free of state mandates related to curriculum, textbooks, and standardized testing. The result is an education that goes far beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.
- High academic standards. Independent schools (and the families that choose them) place a premium on academics. Independent schools take pride in their ability to prepare students for college, career, and life, and they have high expectations for those in their care. To assess the academic program of an independent school, families can ask about college and career outcomes for recent alumni, as well as the school's advanced coursework, academic catalog, and general philosophy of learning.
- Mission-driven education. Each independent school exists for a reason, expressed in the school's mission statement. This unique statement of purpose outlines the school's reason for being and provides insight about its educational philosophy. For example, The Miami Valley School's mission is "to challenge young people of promise to become self-sustaining learners and compassionate global citizens." Some schools also adopt core values for their community: MVS' are Integrity, Celebration, Grit, and Kindness.
- Supportive learning environment. Independent schools are renowned for their small class sizes, which facilitate individualized instruction for each child and encourage meaningful connections with faculty and staff. The result is an academic environment where students are known by their teachers, supported in their learning, and encouraged in their passions.
- Dedicated and dynamic community. Independent school parents actively participate in their children's education and help contribute to the school's success. Alumni of independent schools are often deeply impacted by their experience and eager to help others in their school community, whether that's through providing networking opportunities, serving as guest speakers or subject-area experts, or hosting student groups. Independent schools focus on building and maintaining diverse and vibrant student communities that reflect the full makeup of their area, resulting in students experiencing a much wider world than they might at their neighborhood school.
There are over 2,000 independent schools in the United States, coming in all shapes and sizes: elementary and secondary; day and boarding; single-sex and coed; religiously affiliated and nonsectarian. The Miami Valley School is the only independent school in the Dayton area serving students from Junior Pre-Kindergarten to 12th. It is a non-religious, college preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, lifelong learning, and real-world experience as exemplified by the school's signature academic approach, the MVS Immersion Method. MVS is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and undergoes a regular process to maintain that accreditation.
Learn More: Parents' Guide to Independent Schools (via National Association of Independent Schools)
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