Homeschool Tutorial vs Private School

A Different Kind of Choice

A homeschool tutorial like Saints Classical Academy offers professional instruction, structured curriculum, and formal grades - like a private school - while keeping parents as the primary educators. Students attend two days per week (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday), combining academic rigor with family-centered flexibility at a fraction of private school tuition.

The Best of Both Worlds

Many families feel stuck between two options: homeschool everything yourself, or hand your child over to a private school five days a week. A tutorial is the third option nobody told you about.

Saints Classical gives your family the academic rigor, professional teachers, and structured curriculum of a private school - at $4,600/year instead of $15,000-$25,000. And your family stays at the center of your child's education.

Key Differences

Time

Private school: Five days a week, full time. Your child spends most of their waking hours at school.

Tutorial: Two days per week on campus (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 8 AM - 3 PM). Three days at home under your direction.

Parental Role

Private school: Parents are supporters - attending events, helping with homework, meeting with teachers occasionally.

Tutorial: Parents are partners. You direct learning at home, set the pace for off-days, and stay engaged through the Classica LMS. You know what your child is learning because you are part of it.

Cost

Private school in Middle Tennessee: Typically $10,000-$25,000+ per year.

Saints Classical: $4,600/year for upper school, $3,700/year for K-5. Sibling discounts up to 30%.

Class Size

Private school: Varies, but even "small" private schools often have 15-25 students per class.

Tutorial: Small classes where every teacher knows every student by name.

Worldview

Private school: Christian private schools integrate faith, but the degree and approach varies widely.

Tutorial: At Saints, a biblical worldview is woven through every subject, every day. It is not a chapel add-on.

What You Give Up

Honesty matters. Here is what a tutorial does not offer that many private schools do:

  • Competitive sports teams
  • Band or orchestra programs
  • Full-time supervision five days a week
  • Large peer groups

Many tutorial families fill these gaps through community leagues, music lessons, and other activities on off-days. The tutorial schedule provides flexibility that private school schedules do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tutorial education as rigorous as private school?

In many cases, more so. Saints students study Latin, formal logic, rhetoric, and great books - subjects most private schools do not offer. The classical approach prioritizes depth and mastery over breadth.

Will colleges treat a tutorial student the same as a private school student?

Colleges accept homeschool and tutorial students nationwide. The skills classical students develop - analytical thinking, strong writing, self-directed learning - are exactly what admissions offices say they value.

Can my child switch from private school to Saints mid-year?

Contact us to discuss your child's situation. We work with families on placement, including catching up on Latin if needed.

Ready to Learn More?

Visit Saints Classical and see what makes us different.

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