As an expert in the field of education, I have witnessed the ongoing debate surrounding the role of private schools in the United States. With over 63 million students enrolled in public schools, it is clear that the majority of students in the US attend public schools. However, there are still 5.7 million students who attend private schools, which is a significant number that cannot be ignored. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are currently 34,576 private schools in the United States. These schools serve students from PK-12 and represent 25 percent of all schools in the nation.
While this may seem like a small percentage, it is important to note that these schools enroll 10 percent of all PK-12 students. One of the most interesting findings from the PSS report is that the majority of private school students (78 percent) attend schools affiliated with a religion. This highlights the fact that many parents choose to send their children to private schools for religious reasons.