what do you think is better PRIVATE or PUBLIC school?

Megan - posted on 03/20/2009

Im not really that religious, spiritual yes but not into anything really organized. If there was a private school I could choose without the religion I would check it out. IM having issues with the public schools in my area right now so I'm not too thrilled about PS's in general.

I have actually been considering homeschooling since it would give me a better opprotunity to know what they are learning plus let my kids go at their own pace. Not to mention all the unique experiences on can explore at home or on field trips where there are less kids fighting to ask questions to one or two teachers all at once.

I would suggest just like everyone else to go in and ask questions to your prospective schools, if you don't like what you hear go on to the next one until you find the right one.

Julia - posted on 03/20/2009

Private for me... but you will have to review all aspects of the schools available to you, as well as the fees! Some are more male dominated, some more suited to boarding etc... As long as I can afford it we will offer the best start that we can to our child... when you find the right school you will know and whatever choices you do make, it doesn't have to be forever anyway, does it?

Tina - posted on 03/20/2009

Your best bet is interview the schools. Check out their tract record ant see how they meet state minimum. You also need to review what you want from the school. If a religious education is important well private school.

My 3 are in private because our local schools I would not put my is dogs into! But that is just me.

You will know what school is right for you and forr your child when you go and see it, good luck

Shantrell - posted on 03/20/2009

thanks everybody, i happen to live in new orleans so its a 50 50 chance my son probably will be going to a charter school.

Cynthia - posted on 03/20/2009

My children all went to both private and public schools at different times. I had four children, all adults now. At once three of them all went to the same Catholic school, but when the boys were found to be ADHD, the private schools couldn't offer the special needs children, the special education they needed. I'm not sure that the public schools did any better. I have thought that all of the money I spent on private schools, was just good money thrown after bad. My daughter, who started out at the private catholic school ended up graduating at from a public school, is now a doctor at Children's Hospital of OC, and the boys who all went to the same catholic school.....well they are still trying to figure out life. So, I'm not sure if it is worth paying for a private school. I think every child is an individual, and has very different needs. Cynthia Morgan, R.N. www.kingslandpress.com

Malinda - posted on 03/20/2009

I don't think there is a blanket answer. It depends a great deal on the schools in your area. There are some wonderful public schools, some terrible private schools, and everything in between. I think what is important is being invested yourself in your child's education and not expect the school to do *all* the work. Part of this means monitoring what your child is getting out of the school and being open to change if the choice you make isn't working.

Amie - posted on 03/20/2009

My hubby went to private school until his grade 12 year. I went to public throughout my childhood. We're both intelligent people and received good grades. It depends on the child. For my hubby he went because his private school had smaller classrooms and the teachers had a lot more time to concentrate on each child. His classes never topped 10 students. Whereas public school my classes always had at least 18 kids in them. But we always had teachers aides in the classroom too to help out.
Another thing is cost, for my hubby's school fees his parents were paying $3,000 a year. My parents paid $40. So big difference in that category. Their are scholarships available for some private schools but they usually have stipulations attached to them too. Kids have to remain certain grades, attendance, etc. My hubby's parents just preferred to pay the fee and let him learn at his own pace and not feel pressured to keep up certain grades. Even though he had no trouble doing it they didn't feel the added pressure was necessary.
With my own experiences in public school it was great for me. I never lacked for anything in regards to my education and had great teachers.
It all depends on the school and not so much where it is private or public. The curriculum is the same just how they teach them may be different. At least here. I'm in Sask, Canada. Just check out the schools and go with the one that you and your child are comfortable with. =)

Emily - posted on 03/20/2009

Where do you live? For the most part I would say private but it really all depends on your location. I actually send my daughter to public school and love it. We don't have any private schools in my area and I am fortunate enough to live in a great school district. I do have a few qualms with the idea of the government educating my child but for the most part I would suggest checking out the individual schol and not making a determination based on whether it is public or private.

Diana - posted on 03/20/2009

Oh wow...This is a pretty loaded question.  My husband and I are currently going rounds about this one, and our son isn't even here yet.  lol  He went to a private, Catholic, boys only school, and loved the education he received there.  I went to a private school until 3rd grade, but hated it so much that I would cry and make myself throw up, so I was moved to the public school system halfway through my 3rd grade year.  I loved my experiences in school, and I feel that I got a really good education.  I think this depends on where you live to a certain extent-public schools are much better in some areas than others-and on how much money you can feasibly spend on school.  And it depends on the child.  As I mentioned, I hated the private school, but loved the public school.  Mostly, I want my child to receive and excellent education all around-but I don't want my child indoctrinated with religion in school, and I want him to be exposed to many different kinds of people.  So basically-the jury's still out on this one.