Private or Public school that's the dabate between US!

Julia - posted on 11/19/2012

The public school is like the real world argument baffels me. First if you believe in Public School when it is in the "right neighborhood" it really won't be all that diverse in all likeliness. My sons private school is actually far more diverse than our neighborhood elementry school becasue some kids come from out of twon to go there not just our own little 20 block radius like the public school.



Private schools can refuse kids with behavior problems and you must self select to be there and in doing so you must also agree to be a good citizen in the enviorment in order to stay. As someone who attended college and works in a professional setting I find my work world to be much like Catholic school. Follow the rules or you are out (fired). There is not a lot of diversity in the work place. You might have ethnic diversity (my son's Catholic school is very ethnically diverse and many students are not actually Catholic; I went to an all girls Catholic high school and one of my friends/classmates was Muslim and sent her there because it was all girls) however ethnic diversity and still everyone is similarly educated etc. lives in neighborhoods of roughly the same socioeconomic type. I think in those ways Catholic school is more like the real world if in the real world you expect your kids to become professional adults who live in a good safe neighborhood. There is a certain element of society I don't interact with as an adult because of my education level and abillity to live in a certain type of area. I am not being snobby simply stating the fact and I don't live in a rich neighborhood. I live in the Northeast in a culturally diverse middle class neighborhood, but everyone is pretty much a working professional. I have a friend who loves to tell me that I don't live in the real world because I went to private school and I send my kids to private school. I live in the real world that was created for me by that enviorment and the training I received in private school. My friend who likes to live in the "real world" has choosen to associate with a different elelment and have a differnet type of life. I assume it is not the type of hard knocks life you would choose for your kids.

Casey - posted on 04/07/2010

I went to both. I went to an elementary public school, because my parents researched the practices and found it to be better. Then, I went to an all girl Catholic high school which I absolutely loved (and contrary to belief college was NOT a culture shock because of this). I liked the private school for its atmosphere and the public school for its teaching. I'm also a public school teacher, and I wouldn't want to teach at a private school. However, I don't know where I would send my son. Everything depends on the teachers. I feel like private school teachers are not always up to date in their practices. But the private school I went to required high test scores to get in, so the population was academically similar. Public school teachers definitely differentiate more. Private schools also usually don't offer special programs like special ed, gifted, etc. I think it's good to look at both in your area.

Mandy - posted on 04/06/2010

Every school has it's strengths and weaknesses. I think people forget that public schools are what you make of them, the teachers, students, parents and the community.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/02/2010

I beg to differ - I teach at a private school - and it's not just for the best-behaved, and it's not teacher-centered. I teach JK there and we are very hands-on and experiential in our lessons/activities.

My son IS going to be attending my school for JK, and maybe even for SK, but beyond that, I expect him to go to public school. He is attending my school for a year or two (already did for age 2 program) because I get a staff discount (hooray) and also he can be there 5 full days a week while I work.

But to me, public school is taught by the very same teachers that went through the exact same system as I did - teacher's college. A school is only as good as their teachers.

Tina - posted on 04/01/2010

I did the private school for my son the first part of his kindergarden. I wish that I had not. We live in Tomball and the Tomball ISD is very unlike what your husband believes. TISD has the K and 1st grade classrooms set up like a montisorri school. I wish that I had placed him in public school at the beginning of his kindergarden year instead of waiting until the 4th quater of school.

I had a meeting with his kindergarden teacher and asked her how is he doing academically? Her response was academially he is fine. I asked her to break it down for me I do not want to hear academically he is fine. How is he doing in each subject? Her response was math, history and science he is above average; however, in reading he just refuses. She did not see anything wrong with that. I pulled him from the school and placed him in the public school. This kindergarden teacher told me that he has a photographic memory. Before the end of his kindergarden year at the public school he could read.

Every child is different and they all learn differently. The decision is yours as a couple but if he is insistant ona private school contact the school that he wants the children to attend and schedule a day and time to come and visit the school.

Personal experience leads be to the public school. Children will be children from the classroom to the playground. Even in the private schools there are misbehaved children you just do not see a lot of it unless it is right in your face.

Tarsia - posted on 04/01/2010

Aimee, that is sooooo true! Suppose you pay a lot for a private school for a student who does not try hard? That's defintely something to think about!

Tarsia - posted on 04/01/2010

I agree with you. I believe that we just have to find the right school. I am not interested in paying for private school, when I already pay taxes for public school. Besides, I am a teacher at a great public school! My advice is that you look at each school thoroughly and make sure that you don't just get comfortable with the fact that the school is known as a good school. Check it out for yourself, every aspect of it. Check the ratings for the school. Go on a tour. Meet with the teachers and principal. Ask all of the possible questions that you have.

Aimee - posted on 03/30/2010

it is not the school but the students, it only depends to the person if he or she will study hard and the guidance of the parents. It is not the school or the name of it whether a private or the public it the child who chooses to act on it if they will study hard or not. It is upon on u how you will guide ur kids.

Melanie - posted on 03/29/2010

If you live in a great school district, I think public schools are the way to go. I went to private schools my whole life and my parents spent a small fortune on sending 4 kids to very expensive schools. My husband and I decided from the start we would move to a county with excellent schools and save our money for the kids college education.

Maria - posted on 03/29/2010

I am a product of Catholic School education from elementary school right through college and feel I have received and excellent education in every institution I attended. When I became a teacher, I applied to teach in the catholic schools but none in my area were hiring at the time so I had no choice but to apply with the public schools. After 16 years in the system and 3 kids, I chose to place my children in Catholic school for a number of reasons. First of all, I feel the public schools have a "one size fits all" approach to teaching and due to constant budget cuts, the schools always lose out in art and music programs. Second of all, with the emphasis on state testing and improving education, there is a treamendous amount of pressure on teachers which is trickled down to the students and many schools (mine included) have cut out any type of childhood classroom celebrations, trading them for rigorous classroom instruction. I teach at a wonderful public school in an upper middle class neighborhood in which the parents, staff and students are wonderful. However, it is part of an education system that unfortunately dictates how and what the teachers have to teach and not allowing them to do what's best for their kids.
I feel the parochial schools not only develop the intellectual but also the spiritual and emotional side of a student. The teaching is structured, discipline is upheld, there is a strong sense of community and helping others and the spiritual is a constant. As far as diversity, my kids' school is represented by over 20 ethnicities and cultures, each of which is celebrated at their annual International Festival in June with food, music, dancing and singing. Both of my children, ages 14 and 9 are in the top ten and five percent of their class respectively and are happy well-adjusted students and their younger brother will hopefully follow in their footsteps in 3 years.
In the end though, I understand that education is a HUGE step for every parent and most want the best for their kids. What I do recommend, regardless of where you end up placing your children, is to go and visit the schools while they are in session to get a feel for them and to hear what current parents, students, staff and parents have to say and then make your final decision.

Heidi - posted on 03/28/2010

Okay, I meant to add one more thing to my post. I firmly believe that if you value education, your child will get a top notch education wherever he goes. If you don't, and you expect the teacher to be 100% responsible for the education of your child, then you won't get a good education any place. Parents + schools working together = success.

Heidi - posted on 03/28/2010

I have been teaching in public schools for 10 years. I'm also a Christian. Since, spirituality and quality of schools seem to be things most people are commenting on, I think I am qualified to speak to both. I have always said that there would only be two reasons I would send my children to private schools. 1). If the school they were zoned for was a dangerous school or 2). If my child showed some special talent that could not be cultivated at a public school. Religious reasons don't factor in. Now, of course I realize that my children will be exposed to things that aren't very Christian when they attend public school. However, I would rather they be exposed while living under my protection, with my judgement and guidance to help them navigate these waters than to throw them into it in college for the first time. Also, I think God rather pointedly tells us that we are to be light and salt to this world. If all the Christians take all their kids out of school then the only influences left are just salt substitutes. God so loved the world that He gave His only son for it...we can at least love it enough to let our children bring some light to it. There is nothing wrong with private school...I just think it's a waste of money when you have a perfectly good free school to attend that allows your children to experience a microcosm of the very society they will have to live in upon graduation.

Amie - posted on 03/27/2010

I live in an area where the public schools are considered superb. Most of the area schools are Blue Ribbon of Excellence schools. With that being said, I have a blessing of working in a small private school (secular) and bringing my 6 & 9 year old to work with me everyday.

For me, I would choose private over public if possible for these reasons:



Class size: Our local schools typically had 20-24 in a classroom (more now with the economy) - my school has a max of 14 per classroom teacher. Currently my 1st grader is in my classroom with 23 children and 2 teachers. Our reading and math groups have 11-13 children in them, which then we break into smaller groups as needed. About 3-4 children are reading at grade level and ALL the rest are above reading 2nd - late 3rd grade level. Even a great teacher in the public school can't meet all the individual needs of a large class.



Excellent/Experienced teachers - although you do not see this at all private schools, those with excellent reputations try to hire experienced teachers. All of our teachers have 5+ years experience when hired. We have no contracts so if someone doesn't do a really great job you do not have a job the next year.



Student's behavior/Parent support: We don't test our younger children, and some have some different learning styles and perhaps difficulty, however we do watch behavior. We have very few behavior issues. I'd much rather work with a child that needs extra help learning than the behavior problem and I have more time to teach when all my time isn't taken up with discipline issues. Plus we have parents that are involved and interested in their children doing well, not that you don't see that in a public school, but I see a lot more where I am than I ever did when I was teaching in the public schools.



I always thought I'd choose a christian school if I had a choice for my children, but I find that even at this secular school most of the parents are just as protective of our children's childhood as I am (and I am super conservative!!!). Also, although many families that go to my school are very well off, it's not a flashy - uppity at all and my children aren't made to feel poor (we're not poor but we definately different that the families that attend our school)



For high school, I'd like to send my girls to a local Christian school. It's bigger than my school but still a tenth the size of the local public high school. I want my kids in a small school, I want them with teachers who work hard because they love what they do and don't want to lose their jobs:) and I also love that they may be able to go to a Christian school for high school - one that has chapel and prayer and all of that.



I know I wrote a lot, but hopefully it's helpful to you.

Nikki - posted on 03/26/2010

Either can be fine. Not all public schools are quality, and not all private schools are quality either. It is important to know how many teachers on either campus are certified and considered highly qualified. Also, ask about their high school graduation rate and the rigor of their college readiness programs. In a quality school, these visions filtered all the way down to the Pre-Kindergarten classrooms!

Jennifer - posted on 03/26/2010

I teach in a Catholic School and send my son to the same school. We didn't choose catholic school because we feel it is academically superior, but more because of the spirituality. As a teacher there, my techniques and teaching style are the same as when I taught in public school - very hands on, child-centered. However I also do have a very good relationship with my parents, who are extremely involved and supportive. The fact that Jesus is the center of the school rings true in the overall attitude and behavior of the students. They attend mass once a week, do community service projects, and pray throughout the day. I like the fact that my child won't be chatized for believing in God. The students have respect for their teachers, themselves, and one another. Bullying doesn't exist and older students are very aware of the presence of younger students on campus. I never hear innapropriate words or see offensive behavior. I went to public school my entire life and had a very good experience, both academically and socially, but Catholic School is what we chose for our children. It is very different today from the strict, rigid environment from when we were young. It is a much more loving learning environment.

Carolyn - posted on 03/26/2010

Check out both schools. Have a list of things that you are looking for. Academics, supportive teachers, and a safe/friendly atmosphere are a few I would list. Limit your list to the top 10 most important factors. I went to public school until I attended college. That worked the best for my family and me. I hope this helps.

Pamela - posted on 03/26/2010

I would judge each school differently - find out the overall marks, how well does the school do compared to other schools and what can they give your child.

My son go's to a public primary school and it's great and it also has a great overall marks. Better than most of the private schools in town!