Sometimes public schools don't fit the mold of the core beliefs and values of what a family wants taught to their children. Teaching religion is usually restricted to history lessons in order for everyone to feel they are being equally respected. A private academy specializes in a certain aspect and belief of religious education and may pick and choose who pays tuition to go to their institution. These places often allow for public prayer and freedom to admit religious beliefs without ridicule.
Most of the private schools in America that focus on religion education are Christian in nature. These are usually parochial, meaning that they are run by a church or parish. While some of these teaching facilities are run by non-denominational Christians, many are also run by Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, or another congregation. Some schools may also be boarding schools and some only allow boys or girls. Unfortunately, many Catholic academies have gotten the reputation as places to send wayward or troubled youth. These facilities are not limited to younger students, such as from elementary, middle, or high schools, but also support many private colleges and universities. Christians aren't the only group to have their own places of study. Jewish and Hebrew and Muslim families have their own prep and charter schools where children may learn more about their heritage.
Academies have to answer to the same standards of education as public facilities, but each school often has their own school board instead of one watching over the entire county. Because they are specialized, private education can decide the cost of admission and charge tuition to students. They also can afford to be selective about whom they let study in order to maintain an academic reputation if they so desire.
Many parents decide to send their children to private religious schools instead of public schools because they believe that they can get a better education there or they would like their children to experience religious studies as well as grammar, math, science, and language. Most areas have several Jewish, Christian, and Catholic college prep institutes. Depending on where you live, there might also be a Muslim academy where your children can study. Parochial schools are often organized in the same way as public ones. They are divided into elementary, middle, and high schools so the children can study with others their own age. Some also separate boys and girls. When you contact a charter or boarding school that teaches religion, you should ask them if they are Catholic, Christian, Hebrew, or another type. Ask them if their education includes parochial subjects like prayer as well as traditional subjects. Most of these parochial institutions are private, which means that parents have to pay for their children to attend. So be sure to ask them how much they charge for each semester. Some of them have reasonable rates that will probably match your budget, but others can be very expensive. If you need tuition assistance, then you should ask the parish if they have any scholarship programs. If you are sending your child to a boarding school with religion, then you should be certain to ask them if they have scholarships that cover boarding costs as well so that you do not have to pay extra.