Public schools tend to enforce consistent cultures that are based on state standards, legislation and educational theory. Alternative schools, on the other hand, have more diverse school cultures based on each particular school's specific mission. For example, some alternative secondary schools might stress the development of personal discipline, while others might focus on nurturing creativity.
While public schools must adhere to the separation of church and state and cannot provide religious instruction, privately funded schools can choose to include or not include religious instruction. Some schools are run by a specific denomination and students who attend the school are expected to be a part of that denomination. Students might even be required to attend chapel during the school day. Other schools are strictly secular.
Private schools have varying sizes, though they tend to be smaller than public schools. Student-to-teacher ratios are smaller, allowing for more one-on-one instruction. The smaller the student-to-teacher ratio, the more teachers that the schools must hire. Thus, schools with smaller ratios will usually be more expensive. Studies have shown that schools with fewer students generally tend to produce better results.
Private schools have more flexibility with their curriculum than public schools. Therefore, some private schools have specializations that allow students to receive more instruction in a specific area. For example, some private schools utilize more technology, preparing students for an increasingly more technologically advanced workplace.
Some schools cater to talented students. These students demonstrate a higher than normal potential for academic achievement, but are often held behind by traditional public schools. These schools might even specialize in subjects such as math, science, art, theater or the liberal arts. Other schools specialize in helping students struggling in school.
Not all students feel comfortable in a traditional classroom, where they sit in a desk while listening to a teacher lecture in the front of the class. Some schools have sought to create a more relaxed atmosphere where students and teachers refer to each other on a first name basis. These schools are sometimes less regimented and structured.
Boarding schools allow students to live on a campus. Many of these schools are geared towards preparing students for college. While students who attend these schools often come from wealthier families, these schools also often provide financial assistance. As with all alternative schools, some are religious and some are secular.