Public school administrators (principals) are required to have a master’s degree in administration. Teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree and a teacher’s license. Private schools often require these degrees, but they do not necessarily have to do so. You may find in a private school that some of the teachers are not licensed because they could not find a licensed teacher to fill the position. That’s because private schools generally pay their staff members considerably less than public schools do.
Cost
Pubic schools are free (except for the taxes we all pay). Private school tuition ranges so widely that it is difficult to give an estimate for what you might pay. Many private schools have scholarships or work programs to help out those who need it. Staff members generally get a choice of a break in tuition or another option such as further education or health insurance.
Teacher Salaries and Support
Everyone tries to take care of their teachers, but public schools are able to do a better job. Public schools pay more, have incredible insurance and retirement plans, and offer more support in terms of paraprofessionals or aides to help out on a daily basis. Private school teachers are not so fortunate. They have significantly lower salaries, and in many cases there is no retirement or health insurance offered. Support staff is often non-existant. Private school teachers are willing to sacrifice these things for various reasons, such as religious preference, more ease of classroom management (smaller classes and better behavior), or tuition breaks for their own children.
Transportation
Public schools offer busing services. Private schools sometimes offer a shuttle type busing service, such as having a bus available on one campus to go to another, but they typically do not have a bus that will pick your child up at home. Parents of private school kids tend to be pretty good about organizing car pools for this reason.