Christian Private School

[OracleX]

My wife and I have finally decided that we want to send our daughter to private school for at least up to grade 6 or 8. It will cost us a lot of money to do so, but we feel that she will receive excellent education. But more than that, it is done in a Christian environment. Prayer. Chaple. Learning to read from the Bible.

What does every one think about sending their children to private schools? Has anyone had any experience with this that they could share? Did you or your children go to a private school?

 

[bliz]

We have sent our childdren to a private, parent controlled Christian school, K - 12. The youngest has 2 years to go.

We were blessed to have an excellent school in out backyard - our standardized test scores are the highest in the county, excellent college placement and a wonderful spirit.

But if we had moved while kids were still in school, I do not know what we would have done. I have seen some Christian schools that are academically dreadful or downright oppressive - my kids would never have been sent to those places.

It has required a major effort financially, but it has been worth every penny. I really began to see the benefits as my older children go through college. There approach to life and information and how they think - all of that has been chaped from a Christian perspective.

People who say "My children will always attend Christain schools!" are not taking into consideratin the fact that they may not find a school that is acceptable to them, or that it may not be the best thing for that particular child. Parents who content "I went to the public school and it was fine for me!" often have not set foot in a public school since they were kids themselves.

 

[Patricia250]

Often times, the hardest place to be a Christian is at a Christian School.

I went to one from 6th-12th grade. I think we had about 200-300 people in the high school, and the biggest class ever to graduate[2004] only had 90 people in it.

I will warn you though, if it is a small school that goes from 1st-12th grade, there will already be cliques set up. And those groups are going to have a hard time letting "the new girl" in.

As for learning how to read the Bible, chapel, daily prayer, etc...

if she does not do that already, then you run the risk of making it commonplace.

I know that I got burnt out of going to chapel, praying before every class, etc.
It was the hardest thing to make myself d Bible Studies, etc...b/c in my mind it would have been overkill. A Bible class every day, chapel every tuesday, prayer before each class...in total immersion, where you have no choice in anything you do.

And to tell you the truth, even though I went to that school, I was not really saved until college[freshman year].

I say freshman year, b/c that was when I had to make the choice to participate in those activities. And it isn't my friends from HS/JH that led to that choice...it was my college friends. Who really meant what they were talking about, and believed it, and lived it out.

Junior high is such a tumoltuous time in kids lives.

How big is the school? I only aak b/c if you send her to a small JH, and then a large high school, the culture shock will be huge.

Bottom line? Ask your daughter. She is the one that will be going to this school, NOT you. She is the one who will have to break into the cliques/peer groups that already exist.

If you are raising her with the right upbringing at home, then a Christian school should not be neccessary.

Bottom line? Ask her. Please.

 

[lucypevensie]

There are good schools and not-so-good schools. It's not fair to make a blanket statement about the subject, saying this happened to me in my school so it will happen to you in your school too.

Me, I've had good and bad experience. It all comes down to how much parental influence is allowed. The more the better I say. When parents get what they want the kids are happier, everyone's happier.

well that's my .02 in a nutshell. I could go on and on and on.

 

[Patricia250]

When parents get what they want the kids are happier, everyone's happier.

Not neccesarily. While I agree with you that we should not make blanket statements all the way, I still think that parents should review all of the possible outcomes of their decision.

As for your quote, that is not always true.

Some of the people in my class hated the school, and it made them very unhappy to be forced to go there. So, in that case, what made the parent happy was detrimental to the child in question.

If I was thinking of transferring my[future] child[what?! I am only 19.] to any different school, I would take them by the school, have them meet the teachers, stay their for a day with a friend that goes there, and let them decide if they liked it. I mean..they are the one that will soend the majority of their time there.

 

[lucypevensie]

You're right it's not always true.

I'm just saying that it's better for parents to have a lot of say so rather than some big school board or one administratior with a big head. In general it should follow that families will be happier in that situation--since parents are the ones sacrificing the money.

But yes, there will always be some who are unhappy, or who send their kids for the wrong reasons. So yes, by all means, evaluate the school and check it out before just plopping your kid in there (then sitting back and complaining about this and that). Parents, be involved! Volunteer your time. Make sure your kids are getting what they need.



A lot of a Christian school's success depends upon the individual attitudes of it's members.

 

[OracleX]

Often times, the hardest place to be a Christian is at a Christian School.

I went to one from 6th-12th grade. I think we had about 200-300 people in the high school, and the biggest class ever to graduate[2004] only had 90 people in it.

I will warn you though, if it is a small school that goes from 1st-12th grade, there will already be cliques set up. And those groups are going to have a hard time letting "the new girl" in.

As for learning how to read the Bible, chapel, daily prayer, etc...

if she does not do that already, then you run the risk of making it commonplace.

I know that I got burnt out of going to chapel, praying before every class, etc.
It was the hardest thing to make myself d Bible Studies, etc...b/c in my mind it would have been overkill. A Bible class every day, chapel every tuesday, prayer before each class...in total immersion, where you have no choice in anything you do.

And to tell you the truth, even though I went to that school, I was not really saved until college[freshman year].

I say freshman year, b/c that was when I had to make the choice to participate in those activities. And it isn't my friends from HS/JH that led to that choice...it was my college friends. Who really meant what they were talking about, and believed it, and lived it out.

Junior high is such a tumoltuous time in kids lives.

How big is the school? I only aak b/c if you send her to a small JH, and then a large high school, the culture shock will be huge.

Bottom line? Ask your daughter. She is the one that will be going to this school, NOT you. She is the one who will have to break into the cliques/peer groups that already exist.

If you are raising her with the right upbringing at home, then a Christian school should not be neccessary.

Bottom line? Ask her. Please.

Thank-you for your feedback. My daughter is only 3 years old and she would be starting JK in the fall. The school is about 200 large. It is a Baptist Church school which is the way I have been brought up and we attend a Baptist church. My daughter went there for assesment because she was born the first week of January and was accepted for early enrolment. She is one smart cookie (proud daddy). She is excited about it and wants to go.

I totally hear and understand what you are saying about the immersion issue. I attend Bible college and first hand felt the effects of it. Not quite the same as your experience but still it is a problem. For me while I was at Bible college I was on fire. But as soon as I was done I crashed and burned spiritually because the routine was not there.

As for your comment about it not being nessesary. I agree and disagree. Yes if you raise your children right they may grow up to be great and wonderful Christians. But if you don't have to put them through all the garbage that the public system introduces to them, then why bother? Still torn on this issue. I hear little kids around out house swearing and yelling. I just hate to have my daughter in a hostile and deprived environment like some of the public schools are.

 

[Patricia250]

I hear little kids around out house swearing and yelling.

It was often worse at my school...some of my classmates would test the limits with swearing, and even with drug terms. So while it will hopefully/probably not be there at all in preschool, as they get on up in years, the "bad" side will come out.

I was going on the assumption that your daughter was in 3rd or 4th grade...in JK, they just want to play all day. So she will love it there.


I probably was better off where I was in 6th-12th grade, b/c the public schools I had available to me were...not that great.

The only problem I can forsee is when it gets time to leave that school, she is going to have a hard time letting go of all the friends/small enviroment that she has been used to for so long.

Anyways, I hope all goes well with your decision.

 

[mina]

I don't have children, but I have thought a lot about this issue and am also a teacher so I wanted to add my opinion. I think it's best to do what is best for your child. Your child is an indivdual. Some kids are going to do well in public school, not all. Some kids are going to do well in homeschool, not all. Some kids are going to do well in private school, not all. Make sure you know your daughter well and prayerfully seeking wisdom about what would be best with her and her educational needs. It is very important to check out any potential schools for your child. Be aware that not all private Christian schools are accredited or have the right credentials. CHECK IT OUT FIRST! Many christian schools in my area have teachers that do not have teaching degrees or any kind of background in child development, teaching, or even in Biblical studies. That is scary to me. I would not send a child of mine to a school like that. Not all Christian schools are like that , there are some very good ones out there. Also visit the public school and see what it's like there. Just like private schools- some are very well run and have dedicated teachers who do excellent jobs, some are not and that's a cause for concern. Also alot of the quality of a school has to do with the kinds of familes and children that attend there. Ask your daughter and include her in prayer as you seek the best for her. Hope it all works out so that she will blossom and grow as a Christian and a person!



I went back and read that your daughter was only 3! I was thinking she was older, so maybe asking her where she wants to go really doesn't factor in all that much. But definitely pray pray pray about it!

 

[OracleX]

Thanks for all the feedback - it has helped.

 

[ByzantineDixie]

I am a product of Catholic grade school. Our oldest son attended Lutheran School, K-8. Our youngest son attended Lutheran School K-5. Do you know that in my oldest son's first grade class...every child had a mom and dad in the home!

For myself and our oldest, the Christian school environment was perfect. Our faith was nutured while we were challenged academically. We both benefitted from the excellent academic focus and discipline.

My youngest, however has a learning disability...he's a bit mis-wired. Actually he tests in the genius level in conceptual and spacial things and above average in the verbal and written skills but the disparity between the two areas is the source of the problem. The bottom line...my son can not write well at all...his handwriting is unreadable, he can not construct sentences and he can not spell.

The Christian schools he attended were not large enough to deal with this issue...he was never diagnosed as having a problem...he was just considered a less than stellar student.

When we moved to Georgia...there were no Lutheran schools in the area. My son took the entrance exam to a non-denom Christian school but failed and was not accepted. So...public school was our only choice. THREE MONTHS into the school year I got a call from the school...they wanted to have my son tested. They could see that he was extremely bright but that he struggled with his handwriting and writing in general. My son had attended school for 6 years and no one saw this. The teachers in public school caught it immediately. Since then, the public schools have done a nice job in creating a learning environment accommodating my son's disability while maximizing his educational opportunities.

So...I highly recommend Christian school...unless you have a child with special needs. Some Christian schools are able to handle some children with special needs, but many are not. Just be aware of that. It is a blessing to be able to send your child to a school where the values you teach at home are supported.

God bless you and your family!

Rose

 

[WolfGate]

We're blessed with a large (1200 student) Christian school that also has a large (600 children) day care with it. They are the place where the good teachers in our area want to go and teach. Our daughter, who is about to start kindergarten, will go there next fall.

We did look at a lot of schools, and I have seen Christian schools where I would fear for my kids education. I also know that our public schools spend so much time on discipline issues and having to teach to kids that haven't had any real learning at home, that our daughter would be hopelessly lost in them.

Every situation is different.

 

[LadyBird]

Yes, IF I ever did send my child to a private school, I would want it to be a Christian school as well. Although I don't thinK I would ever shell out thousands of dollars a year (some private schools cost as much as college) to send my children to a private school. I would rather save that money for college or other education later on in life for them.

 

[OracleX]

Yes, IF I ever did send my child to a private school, I would want it to be a Christian school as well. Although I don't thinK I would ever shell out thousands of dollars a year (some private schools cost as much as college) to send my children to a private school. I would rather save that money for college or other education later on in life for them.

When out daughter was born we started a RESP plan that will supply up to 4 years tuition if/when she decides to go to college or university. Those plans are great because they take a small amount each month but over 17 or 18 years adds up to big dollars.

 

[OnceDust]

As a teacher in a public school, I'm kind of particular to my profession. I teach in a good school, yes it's a mixed bag of kids. I would say that so long as you belong to a good church, you could use the money you would spend for private schools to send your kids on special missions expereinces. In the real world, the kids have to deal with a variety of people. I have no problems with most public schools. I know some areas do have questioanble policies or allow trivial curriculum. Investigate this on where you live. Where I am, thus far, I have no real complaints.

 

[Zoomer]

I attended Christian schools from K thru 12. I loved it! Our school was great and not only did it help me grow spiritually but it prepared me for college. I am going to try to send my children to Christian school for high school, the academic program was more advanced than any other public school in the area. I think the biggest benefit of private school was the size. It was aobut 350 students, we had 40 in my graduating class. Class size was never about 20 and the average was 15. I actually had an advanced American Government class with just myself and another student. The teachers took the time to get to know us personally, it really makes a difference. I highly reccomend checking out Christian private schools.

 

[iolair]

I would go out on a limb financially if necessary to get what I felt was most suitable for my daughter. Fortunately the local state primary school we looked round today (my daughter will start in September 2005) is Methodist and seems to give a good moral and social education as well as academic.

But why do you need to send your child to a Christian school to learn to read from the Bible and to pray - these things you can teach her! (and especially by your own example).

 

[OracleX]

Just an update: we have decided to wait till next year to send her to Christian school and home school her this year. It doesn't set her back at all as she would have been a early enrollement this year. Basically the decision was unfortunately financial. Our debt will be gone by school time next year, it would have been too tight to try it this year I think.

I am disapointed that she can not go because of my mistakes. But I am also excited about teaching her myself a bit. She wants to read so bad, maybe we will get going on the flash cards.

 

[selune]

You may find that after this year you decide to homeschool for longer! Check in your area to find hs groups and get to know people. For financial reasons and others, I know many people who have taken this route and are very pleased. The kids are social (don't believe the wicked rumor that homeschooled kids are kept in some sort of closet!) Plus the money savings really help. Also check this site
http://www.k12.com/
It has a great secular curriculum and you can add in your religious teaching. Don't know the cost of private school for you there, but this might be cheaper, and it's nice to have the lessons ready. Check out the homeschooling thread (if you haven't) on this board. Best wishes to you all.