Private Or Public Schooling

[thankful4god]

Hello. Just want feedback from other people's experience and views. We have 2 kids - one is already at school. I'm working as a teacher aide and am sometimes shocked at what goes on at the school I'm at. It has made me really start considering whether to send our kids to a public or private school. We are already saving up for them to go to a private christian highschool. What is your opinion and experience. I went to a public school (but that was years ago). I think things are so different now............the kids are exposed to so much garbage compared to my day. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Thankful4god.

 

[seamonster]

We are actually planning on homeschooling. I am currently homeschooling my 7th grade sister, who lives with me, and I really feel that it will be right for our family when my son is old enough to go to school. I like the one-on-one personal attention that each child gets - it really allows for great understanding and a safe, happy learning environment. We do a lot of activities with local homeschoolers and public schoolers alike, so there is no concern about lack of social ability here .

If the time comes when we are no longer able to homeschool, we have already decided that our children would be attending a private school. I am very concerned about school shootings, but I am also concerned about the quality of education. I think only you know your family and only you can decide what fits your kids best!

 

[Linnis]

I liked the education my nephew got in public school, while he was with us. I had a few disagreements with his teachers but I think that'll happen in any school setting.

As for our own son we have decided, we're undecided. Thankfully we have some time to decide.

 

[Leanna]

The private schools are no different.

 

[illudium_phosdex]

My DD and DS went to public school last year. After I got a job as a teacher's aide, I realized just how much garbage they were exposed to. I let them finish out the year but this year we are homeschooling. I don't know about private schools. But it's really not an option for us right now because of the cost. The plan at this time, however, is to send them to a Christian High School.

 

[Birbitt]

We are actually homeschooling our children..and will continue to do so until we feel that we are no longer able to do so successfully. When that time comes they will attend our church's school where I know the teachers, Know the administrators, and know what will be expected of my children and what they will be exposed to.

 

[CelticRose]

I went to public school for primary, Private for high school. No difference except in how expensively the kids could sin! I aided for years in our local school. We ended up homeschooling.

 

[HeatherJay]

My girls attended public school (my oldest through 3rd grade, and my youngest through 1st grade). My husband works for the school system.

We're homeschooling this year and beyond.

I agree with Leanna that private school are no different than public as to what they're going to be exposed to.

 

[Beautiful Fireball]

The private schools are no different.

Totally agree.

I went to a VERY conservative private Christian high school and it was just as bad, if not worse, then the public schools. The education was great, but it still had all the other stuff that public schools did.

 

[GolfingMom]

We've chosen public schools and haven't looked back yet. I've been involved from day one and haven't seen or heard anything 'wrong/shocking' yet.

 

[bliz]

Which Christian school? Which private school? Which public school?

So much depends on each particular school, not it's classification.

For many years i made my living as a college recruiter so I was in and out of schools all day long. Each school has a personality - how the people treat each other there, how students and faculty interact, do teachers see themselves as having a calling or just holding a job, what is highly valued, etc. I saw great Christians schools and horrible Christian schools, wonderful public schools and dreadful public schools, etc. etc. ONe must go and visit to learn what is really going on.

We were blessed to have a great Christian school in our community and we found it very different than the public schools in the same community - academic standards were much more rigorous, SAT scores were far higher, at the same time, no homework in primary grades and attitudes were as much a concern as actions. Two of my kids are out of college now, but they still have friendships from elementary school.

 

[GolfingMom]

Which Christian school? Which private school? Which public school?

So much depends on each particular school, not it's classification.

For many years i made my living as a college recruiter so I was in and out of schools all day long. Each school has a personality - how the people treat each other there, how students and faculty interact, do teachers see themselves as having a calling or just holding a job, what is highly valued, etc. I saw great Christians schools and horrible Christian schools, wonderful public schools and dreadful public schools, etc. etc. ONe must go and visit to learn what is really going on.

We were blessed to have a great Christian school in our community and we found it very different than the public schools in the same community - academic standards were much more rigorous, SAT scores were far higher, at the same time, no homework in primary grades and attitudes were as much a concern as actions. Two of my kids are out of college now, but they still have friendships from elementary school.

I agree. We specifically moved to this town b/c of the public schools. If we lived a few school districts away, we would have placed our children in private school.

 

[clycleader]

It's a really tough choice. We have struggled about where to send my son (3years old) when he's old enough to go. I initially wanted to home school, but feel that he would do better with more kids. He is a very social kid and thrives on interraction with others. Plus somehow he enjoys our time together when he's away from me for a bit.
That being said, we are leaning (at least right now) toward a christian private school. In our area it only goes to 8th grade though. High school would be public. I think at his younger age, he would do better with small to medium class sizes and I enjoy the values and spiritual teachings he would receive at private school.
I actually attended the public school where he would be going if we choose that. It was much smaller and society was much less "jaded" then though. I just feel that in a private school taht is Christian they can impress upon his young mind, a value syste that is more in line with our way of life now.
Downside? The cost. We have started saving now for his education in college and now for private school possibilies. Plus we have one baby on the way due in November. We'll need to save for that one too.
Good luck with your journey. God will guide you in making the right decision for your family

 

[TCat]

My son has been in private Christian schools since kindergarten. We love it, he plans to be a pastor and we know that comes from his schooling. For High School we thought we would try the local public shool his freshman year. Big mistake, drugs, sex, violence...we pulled him out mid year and he is in a small Lutheran High School now. Yes there are things like that in private schools but depending on the school it can be lessened.

IMO there is a difference, but part of that probably has to do with the parents and their faith, involvment and expectations too. We know all the teachers, go to church with 90% of them, we attend activities and talk to our son. It also depends on the school and their expectatations. My son's school has a 98% post college attendance, while the high school has like 82%.

DD is only 4 but will follow in her brothers footsteps in the years to come God willing.

 

[heart of peace]

Which Christian school? Which private school? Which public school?

So much depends on each particular school, not it's classification.

For many years i made my living as a college recruiter so I was in and out of schools all day long. Each school has a personality - how the people treat each other there, how students and faculty interact, do teachers see themselves as having a calling or just holding a job, what is highly valued, etc. I saw great Christians schools and horrible Christian schools, wonderful public schools and dreadful public schools, etc. etc. ONe must go and visit to learn what is really going on.

We were blessed to have a great Christian school in our community and we found it very different than the public schools in the same community - academic standards were much more rigorous, SAT scores were far higher, at the same time, no homework in primary grades and attitudes were as much a concern as actions. Two of my kids are out of college now, but they still have friendships from elementary school.

Excellent post and I agree with your sentiments. There are a lot of variables to consider in which way to go. And to add on to the factors to consider, I'd ask myself:

• Do I require my child be taught by a person who believes in Christ as Lord and Savior?
• What qualities do I value in regards to education (a liberal arts education, a more rigorous academic program, et cetera)?
• Is multiculturalism important to me?
• How do I feel about standardized exams and is it important to me that the school I send my child performs high in that regard?
• What do I feel about class size?
• Is distance important in considering the school?
• How involved do I want to be in my child's education and does the school allow for it if I decide I want a heavy involvement?

I agree. We specifically moved to this town b/c of the public schools. If we lived a few school districts away, we would have placed our children in private school.

I personally think that a quality education should not cost us money and if one can get that through a public school, that would be the best choice.

 

[Solitaire1]

Our children have been educated in both 'arenas'... I prefer homeschooling. A major factor being that a public school system that doesn't have identical values as the home, forces the child to choose between 'authorities'. Why put our kids through that?

 

[overit]

I don't know, mine are in public school but if I could I would go private. I was homeschooled for some years and i absolutely hated it, i felt like i missed out on so much. I hope those considering homeschooling ask their kids how they are coping with it also and consider their feelings. I resented my parents for this decision

 

[HeatherJay]

I don't know, mine are in public school but if I could I would go private. I was homeschooled for some years and i absolutely hated it, i felt like i missed out on so much. I hope those considering homeschooling ask their kids how they are coping with it also and consider their feelings. I resented my parents for this decision

Of course I do. It was their level of stress and exhaustion in public school that prompted us to consider homeschool so strongly. I ask them all the time how they think it's going...they both love it.

 

[Neenie1]

My girls attended public school (my oldest through 3rd grade, and my youngest through 1st grade). My husband works for the school system.

We're homeschooling this year and beyond.

I agree with Leanna that private school are no different than public as to what they're going to be exposed to.

I am beginning to agree with this.

Although I'm not keen on homeschooling.

For the moment our ds is in private school, but don't know if we can afford 2 kids in private school. So possibly might have to change my mind about homeschooling.

 

[GolfingMom]

I don't know, mine are in public school but if I could I would go private. I was homeschooled for some years and i absolutely hated it, i felt like i missed out on so much. I hope those considering homeschooling ask their kids how they are coping with it also and consider their feelings. I resented my parents for this decision

LOL. I asked my public schooled son if he'd prefer me to homeschool and he said no and started crying
I'm not a HS fan but I would do it if we travelled more or if our travelling started to get in the way of school