FAQs

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

• What is an Independent School?

  An independent school is one that is independently governed and does not depend on a municipal or state government for funding. An independent school meets its operating expenses by charging tuition, which is often supplemented by fundraising and/or an endowment. Each independent school is guided by its own unique mission and governed by its own board of trustees. An independent school must be accredited by a state or regional accrediting authority.

• Is Every Private School an Independent School?

  Not all private schools are independent schools. For example, parochial schools are often governed at the diocesan level rather than at the school level. A parochial school has its own principal, but its curriculum and other policies are likely set by the diocese rather than by the school’s faculty and administration.

• What are the Advantages of Independent Schools?

  An independent school can independently make decisions based on what is best for its students and what is true to its mission. The mission of an independent school sets the school’s course and allows it to serve its own special purpose in its community. The fact that each independent school has a unique mission makes it much more likely for parents to find a school that is just the right fit for their child.

• How do Independent Schools Compare to Public Schools?

  Although independent schools, like public schools, use standardized testing to measure their students’ progress, decision-making at independent schools is not driven by standardized tests to the degree that it is at public schools. Many public schools across the country have reduced or eliminated recess or classes in science, social studies, and the arts in order to strengthen their students’ outcomes on state-mandated tests.

  
  Because of their excellent teachers, their smaller class sizes, their high academic standards, and their positive classroom climates, independent schools are places where children can thrive without spending inordinate amounts of time on test preparation. Instead, independent schools are able to devote attention, energy, and effort to creating experiences through which students can develop the soft skills necessary for success in our increasingly interconnected and rapidly evolving society.

• What Are the Results of an Independent School Education?

  The results speak for themselves: a 2020 survey compared responses from independent school students and public school students to the High School Survey of Student Engagement (HSSSE).

  
  Among the survey’s findings, more independent school students report being challenged to their full potential in all or most of their classes (63 versus 39 percent), feeling excited about their classes (65 versus 51 percent), feeling safe at their schools (94 versus 82 percent), and feeling they are an important part of their school community (72 versus 53 percent) compared to public school students.

  
  When asked how much their school contributed to a range of essential skills, a much larger share of independent school students than public school students responded positively with regard to skills like writing effectively (52 versus 32 percent), thinking critically (56 versus 30 percent), learning independently (51 versus 28 percent), and using technology to gather and communicate information (51 versus 27 percent).

• How Are Relationships Fostered at Independent Schools?

  Statistics can only explain a part of the value of an investment in an independent school education. Independent school teachers and administrators recognize and honor the importance of customer service to their tuition-paying families.

  
  Added value in independent schools is especially found in the relationships that are fostered: relationships between teachers and students, between teachers and parents, and between families with shared values.
  
  The class size and school size at most independent schools lend themselves to the development of close and powerful relationships. At our school, most teachers and staff have not only gotten to know our students and their parents, but also many of their grandparents, their younger siblings, and even their dogs!

• How do Leaders Influence the Culture at Independent Schools?

  Just like teachers, administrators at independent schools form connections with their students. Students at independent schools feel known and loved, and the encounters with administrators that occur at carpool, at lunch, and in the hallways help to strengthen the relationships that develop at our schools.

  
  Those who teach at and who run independent schools know that our parents work very hard to make the investment in their children’s educations. We are committed to helping them to realize an outstanding return on that investment.

  
  More importantly, we are committed to our students and to providing them with the best possible education – not only in reading, math, and science, but also in collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication, and citizenship.

• Ready to Learn More about Mason Prep School?

  We would love to speak further with you about the opportunities available for your child at Mason Prep. Request more information or schedule a tour online today. If you have any questions about our school, please call us at 843-805-6015. We look forward to learning about your family and sharing more about our school during this exciting time.