Parent Spotlight: Why We Chose a Private Middle School for Our Child

Middle school is a massive crossroads for every kiddo. It’s that season where they stop looking to us for everything and start looking at the world to figure out who they are.

As parents, we want to know they’re in a place that won’t just teach them algebra, but will actually help them become good human beings. That’s why so many families in our community make the intentional choice to move toward a private middle school.

We sat down with three of our parents to talk about why they chose this path and the benefits of private school for their families.

Real Stories from Our Families

Vaishali P. joined us because she wanted an education that didn't just follow the status quo. When asked why she chose the private route, she noted:

"To have access to a non-traditional curriculum that is intentional and curated to benefit forward thinking... smaller class sizes... [and] to engage with a pronounced and tight knit parent and staff community."

For Vaishali, the goal is long-term. She says, "We hope that our children will see the world from a broad lens, seek opportunities fearlessly and understand their abilities to contribute meaningfully to society."

Victoria B. saw a distinct difference in how her children navigated their own identities. She chose a private middle school so her children could "build deeper relationships with their teachers in classrooms with fewer students" and "explore new areas like music, art, science, design, entrepreneurship, and other topics that are too often deprioritized at public schools."

The result?

"The hands-down benefit our children have taken away from Aspen is the ability to lead themselves. They are clear on who they are and how they can make a difference in the world...They could have learned algebra anywhere but at Aspen they learned how to be future adults."

Rachel M. has watched her three boys grow through the program for seven years. She highlights private middle school academics and the focus on the whole human:

"We believe one of the greatest advantages is that our boys are learning how to think, not just what to think. They are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, analyze information, and understand the process of how to arrive at answers — not simply memorize them."

Rachel values the "strong values-based foundation" that aligns with her family’s principles: be kind, do good, work hard, make the world better.

Education of Consequence: The Data Behind the Difference

The Aspen Middle School Advantage (By the Numbers

"Values are not words on a wall. They are lived here." — Kristina Scala

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Education

What are two reasons a parent might choose to send their child to a private school instead of a public school? Most parents choose private over public to secure smaller class sizes and a specialized curriculum. At Aspen, for example, students receive 80 minutes of core academic instruction daily. Families also seek a community where values aren't just posters on a wall, but a lived experience.

Do kids that go to private school do better in life? While "better" is subjective, the data shows a clear advantage in readiness. Aspen students participate in the nation’s first PK-8 integrated Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship (LiFE) program. By the time they graduate, they’ve developed at least 10 businesses. This builds "durable skills" like resilience and critical thinking that traditional testing can't measure.

How do you write a good parent statement for private school? A great parent statement focuses on partnership. Don't just list your child's trophies. Talk about your family values and how they align with the school’s mission. At Aspen, we look for "All In" families who are excited about helping to grow the community.

Is it better for kids to go to private school? It is "better" if you are looking for an environment tailored to your child’s specific pace. For instance, Aspen achieves 92% of students at or above grade level in math and 90% at or above grade level in reading compared to the national averages of 18% and 30%. If you want your child to be "known" rather than just a number in a large system, private education is a powerful tool.

What is the biggest issue in private schools? Nationally, the biggest challenge is often the "tuition gap"—the difference between what families pay and what it actually costs to provide a high-level education. We bridge this at Aspen through a robust Annual Fund and a committed community to ensure we never have to compromise on cutting-edge technology or teacher support.

The Aspen Difference

Why do parents choose private schools? Because they want an education of consequence. They want their kiddos to graduate with more than a diploma—they want them to have a moral compass and the grit to solve real-world problems.

James L. notes that "Aspen’s rigorous training really carried [our dauther] through her high school years, and prepared her to be an outstanding student. She can now see how much better prepared she is than her peers, and she clearly attributes this to her time at Aspen." 

Learn more about our academic programs