The Lasting Value of Small Private Schools in Education

Every student deserves a place where they feel seen, valued, and supported. For some, that place is found in a bustling public school or a sprawling state university. For others, it is discovered in the halls of a small private school, where familiar faces greet them each day and where their name is known long before it appears on a diploma. Over the course of my career, I have seen how life-changing that kind of environment can be, and it is why I believe small private schools hold a vital place in our educational system.

I also have a deep respect for public education. I grew up in the public school system through high school and I am a proud graduate of Gaffney High School, a place that has long been a source of pride for the community and that continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of its students. Public schools play an essential role in providing access and opportunity for millions of students, and many of the educators who shaped my own life were from that system.

Large public institutions, both K-12 and higher education, have many strengths. They often offer a wide range of programs, expansive facilities, and vast networks. But they are not the right fit for every student. Some thrive in a smaller, more personalized setting, where their voices can be heard and their needs addressed without getting lost in the crowd.

During my years as Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Limestone University, I saw firsthand how transformative a small private college can be. Limestone welcomed students from every background, including those who had struggled to find their place in larger settings. On our campus, professors knew students by name, staff members could spot when someone needed encouragement, and opportunities to lead and contribute were available from the very first semester.

That culture of connection and care is not unique to higher education. Many K-12 private schools embrace the same approach. Smaller class sizes make it possible to tailor instruction to each student’s strengths and challenges. Close-knit communities foster a sense of belonging that can be especially powerful during formative years. And because students are known as individuals, they are often more willing to take risks, try new activities, and step into leadership roles.

I think of students at Limestone who began their journey uncertain of themselves and graduated with confidence, purpose, and lifelong friendships. I also think of K-12 students in private schools who are encouraged daily to pursue excellence, develop character, and see learning as more than a set of assignments. The value is not just in academic preparation, but in the development of the whole person.

Education should never be one-size-fits-all. The strength of our system lies in offering a variety of paths that meet the diverse needs of students. Small private institutions, from elementary schools to universities, provide an essential option.

For many students, these schools are more than classrooms and hallways. They are places where potential is recognized, where dreams are nurtured, and where every accomplishment is celebrated. They are communities that remind us that education is not just about preparing for the next test or the next job, but about shaping the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and compassionate citizens.

When we invest in the mission of small private schools, we invest in futures that might otherwise never be realized. And when a student walks across the stage, diploma in hand, ready to take on the world, we are reminded why these institutions matter so deeply. They change lives, one student at a time, and there is nothing small about that.