Elite Education in Democratic America: Private Schools

Abstract

In this paper, I have defined elite education as an educational system with schools selecting students on the basis of their meritocratic traits. I have chosen American private schools as a major agency of elite education. I have attempted to illuminate historical backgrounds of American private education as a typical example of elite education. I have also demonstrated several main features of private schools including their statistical outlook. Moreover, I have analyzed why they are preferred by many American parents and students. Finally I have discussed some of the controversies and disputes about private schooling in America. I have shown that American parents in general prefer private schools because private schools offer better educational service, and because they cherish the right to choose schools. There are two major criticisms on elite private schools. The first one is that private schools create social division; and the second that they reproduce the existing social order based on class structure. In order to invalidate these criticisms, private schools should offer a kind of education that is charitable, compassionate, and socially responsible.