Does Private High School Give Your Child a Better Chance at College Acceptance?

Many private high schools have strong academic outcomes and do well at preparing students for college.

If you’re looking into private high schools, there’s a good chance you’re also thinking about college. You know that some schools send more graduates to prestigious colleges than others, and you want to see your child succeed well beyond high school. 

Not all private schools are alike, but private school students do seem to have some advantages. They’re more likely to graduate and do well on standardized tests, which suggests they’re more college-ready than the average public school student. They’re also more likely to end up at some of the top colleges in the nation.

Your child’s high school can have a large impact on their life — and not just while they’re students there.

HOW YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CAN AFFECT WHERE STUDENTS GET INTO COLLEGE

Top colleges look for well-rounded applicants who show strong academic potential. They don’t just want to see good grades – they want to see extra challenging courses, participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and genuine passion. Your child can’t demonstrate those things as well if they don’t have enough opportunities or support.

Well-resourced schools tend to have smaller class sizes, more support, more advanced course options, better materials, larger arts programs, more field trips, and more safety measures. All of those things give students more opportunities to participate in college-friendly activities and develop their passions. On the other hand, schools with fewer resources often have larger classes, less support, and fewer opportunities.

Private high schools often have more resources than public schools, although not always. If your child goes to a well-resourced private high school, all those extra opportunities and advantages can add up. 

Your child will likely be better prepared for standardized tests and college courses. They’ll have more opportunities at school to explore and demonstrate their passions. They’ll find it easier to build a resume that impresses college admissions officers. And when they get to college, they’ll be more prepared for their courses.

IS IT EASIER TO GET INTO AN IVY LEAGUE COLLEGE FROM A PRIVATE SCHOOL?

About 10% of students in the U.S. go to a private high school. But when we look at the top colleges in the country, like Harvard, we see that as many as 35% of undergraduates went to a private high school. In other words, private high school graduates are much more likely to go to an Ivy League school than their public school peers.

Going to a private high school is no guarantee that your child will get into a prestigious college, even if they work hard. Going to a public high school doesn’t mean they can’t get into Harvard. But at the end of the day, private high school students seem to have a large advantage.

HOW AMHS PREPARES STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE

At Archbishop Murphy High School, we have plenty of advanced courses, specialized programs, and other opportunities to help students prepare for college.

Many of our students take AP (advanced placement) courses and are able to get college credit by taking an examination. We offer 16 different AP courses in a variety of academic subjects. We also offer several honors courses and the Matteo Ricci program, which gives students college humanities and social science credit through Seattle University.

Some students choose to join a career-focused program during their time at AMHS. We have a health studies program and a business pathway program. Both of these programs help students learn career skills through courses, clubs, and volunteer work.

Our school also gives students plenty of opportunities to explore their interests in the arts and sports. We have an annual fall play and spring musical, an art show, and numerous musical performance opportunities. Students can play over a dozen sports and compete in the WESCO 2A/3A league or the Northwest Conference Sky Division.

Ready to learn more about Archbishop Murphy High School? Check out our blog, explore our website, or schedule a campus tour today.