Private vs. public schools
 

Sorors, I have a question and it really doesn't stem form what many of you are probably thinking right now

My son is three and will be four in December. I have thought long and hard about it and I have decided that I want him to go to a private Christian school right now and really thought about junior high.

I don't want this because I think he will be taught better or public school teachers don't care or anything, it’s mainly because I want him to go to a Christian school. I want his whole life to be integrated around his belief in Christ. The thing is however, I don't want him to miss out on thing like sports by being in a smaller private school. I am not thinking about just keeping him there until about 5th or sixth grade.

I am just really confused about what is best for him. I fully believe that if you train a child in the way he should go, when he is older he shall not depart from it, and that is why I feel that it is important for him to pray in the morning before class and not be told that he can't do it out loud. I also want him to be taught theology while he is in school.

But truthfully the main thing is that I see so many children in public school that are just out of control and yes I know they are in private schools too, but I think that having a daily dose of Christ from the beginning to the end of his day will make him a better person.

I'm rambling on now so I will stop what do you all think?

You know like you, I am thinking about the same issue only a little early. My son is only 8 months and I want him to grow up with a strong belief in Christ and to go to a school where I could feel like he is being well educated and can see that life has a lot to offer. After those boys went into that school and started shooting the students and faculty and had planted bombs that scared me so much, that I was determined that when I had children I would provide them with home schooling. Now I am a mother and schooling and a strong belief in Christ is very important to me. I want my son to grow up knowing he has lots of opportunities and that Christ is always going to be there for him, but I know I can't always instill those things in him at home, so I guess I am seeking advice too. I agree with the things you are saying, and I am wondering myself if private school and home schooling is better. This world has changed so much, that it is hard to really know what is best for your child. I guess I haven't answered your question, but soror I want you to know that I understand where you are coming from and maybe someone can help us.

Sigma Love
EEEEE-YIIIIP


[This message has been edited by EspeRHO (edited November 01, 2000).]

I thought about this question for a long time myself. When I was in school my teachers came from my community and most of them were related to me somehow. And my child's father was brought up the same way. Actually his mom was his second grade teacher.

I don't want my child to go to a Christian private school, because I believe that school(state) and religion should be separated. And I would rather he learned about sex education and etc rather than learn religion. Anyways my child will go to a public school...either at the one I'm working at or the one his father teaches.
(He's only a year now)

Anyways Public and Private shouldn't be the issue...I think it's the parents. If they show more initiative and get involved more schools would be outstanding.

Why not join the PTA and help out before your child attends that school. Implement programs that way when your child get there they will already have a foundation.

Private schools have no means of rating students the way public schools does. They don't have tracking or mandatory end of the year testing. The teachers don't have to be certified or have credentials and undergo testing the way teachers do in a public school. (Depends on the State) Also, because it's privately funded the parent is going to have to pay for a lot of the extra-curricular activities.

Also, what about the child's friends from the neighborhood...what about when the public school is having after-school activities, field day, sports and etc. and the private school isn't offering that. It could work vice versa.

But for one I believe in the public education system. I admit there are a lot of teachers that are burned out and don't care that much...But I think it's the parents fault. They expect the school to raise the child for them.

They are so many students out there they don't respect their elders and no one cares about them. I know for myself I have pretended to give up on some students after trying several times to reach them. And finally when they realized I was doing activities with the "good/well mannered" children they turned into "good/well mannered" children. It's too bad I had to pretend to ignore before they finally got the message.

The only thing I am saying is don't knock the system until you experience first hand.

Blu-theatrics, I really commend you for taking such an interest in your child's education at that age! I don't know where you live, but I'm in Atlanta and there are several smaller, predominately A-A private Christian schools that have sports teams. There are also a couple of huge Catholic schools who's sports teams consistantly rank in the top 5 in the state.

My sister sent all of her kids to private Christian schools (in another city, but still in GA). When my nephew was jr. high age he wanted to play football, but there was no team at his school. Evidently there is some law (either in GA or this town) where if the private school does not provide the service (not just sports but things like band and speech therapists too, then the public school must provide it to the child in private school. My nephew was able to play football for the jr high he would have gone to had he been in public school. You may want to see if this is possible in your city/state. My neices & nephew's school was also predom. white, so my sister made sure they did things outside of school that put them around other African-Americans.
I hope everything works out with William C.! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Thank you so much for that info, I have actually been looking into going to Atlanta after I graduate.

Pretty Squeaky
I think you misread what I was saying. I did not want to send my son to a Christian school because I think that the public school teachers are not good, I want to send him because the public school is just that, public.
I want my son to go to a school that can freely teach his spiritual and his academic mind.

I am a product of a public school system and I am great as far as I am concerned. I worked hard because my mother was there to push me and that is why I understand were you are coming from when you say that it takes a strong family behind that child, but my mother couldn't afford to send me to a private school, (I don't think she wanted to anyway, because she wonders why I want to send Will now)

I really would rather my son learn about a virtuous women in school rather than birth control. Obviously, I 'm not stupid and I realize he needs to know these things, but that is one thing that is my job to do, when I feel appropriate. I am not doing this hastily either. I have lists of schools in my area right now that I am looking at.

I just don't think that you understood were I was coming from so I wanted to clarify. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I understand where you are coming from...But I said I believe in separating church and state(school system.) Which is why I would not have my son in a private or public Christian school.

And yes it is the parents' job to teach their child sex education...but some christian academies don't go over the basics, such as drugs, sex; basically all the negative aspects of life that some children endure. And just because you are teaching your child one thing doesn't mean the other parent is...meaning I would rather my son learn about other things rather than religion.

I think you skimmed over what I previously stated. But I am strongly against religion in the school and I stated that earlier, which is why I oppose Private Christian Academies.

EEEEEYIIIP!!! SOROR BLU THEATRICS

I agree so much with Pretty Squeaky. I always thought that I would send my children to private school but now that they are school age I simply cannot afford it. As I think about it now, I thought that I would put them in private school by the time they reached middle school but that time is fast approaching and I still can't afford it!!

Most of all I am teaching in the public school system and I realize that parents need to voice their concerns in the organizations that represent them like the PTA. True some things cannot be changed but I have heard of the same things (violence, etc.) that are happening in public schools happening in private schools as well. I even know of a Catholic school 6th grader who was gunned down a few years ago because he was running with the crowd towards a fight after school and he was shot as an innocent bystander. What I am saying is that even though we want the best for our children we can't protect them all their lives. The world is a cruel place and I feel that I have made the best decision to have my children remain in public school so they are well rounded when they are grown and in the real world. Not only that, what morals they need to know I AM THE BEST TEACHER!

Additionally, I attended public schools K-12 and I think I turned out pretty good!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

blu_theatrics,

I agree with you 100%. My daughter goes to a Catholic school, and I love listening to her sing about the "saints go marching in", all the way home. The thought that what she learns in church can be reinforced at school without the heavy hand of "tolerance for all, no matter whom or what they worship", really makes me happy.

True, it is not cheap, but my husband and I have decided that if we had to sacrifice, it wouldn't be with our daughter's education. The fact that we only have child helps tremendously, if we had more, I think it would be an impossibility.

My only advice would be to RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. Because private (not Catholic) education is not mandated in some states, administrators will LIE, LIE, LIE, about having computers, and Spanish, and all kinds of things. This happened to me, I quickly corrected it.

Thanks for the replies sorors.

I just started going to a few preschools this week and was surprised that the cost was basically the same I am paying for childcare right now.

I am particularly looking at a school that is close to my mother’s home, where they agree to allow you to pay the SAME amount for tuition for the next five years of continuous study. And they are very interested in the students. I sat in on a few classes and I really enjoyed it and so did Will.

I am glad that things are working out for you. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

ttt

Let me preface this by saying I don't have any kids of my own.
.....However, I have noticed that schools vary widely, even within a relatively short distance. I went to private schools for the majority of my life b/c my parents wanted me to have a strong foundation in Catholic principles. There were some people I went to school with who were only there for the education not the religious aspect, but they knew what they were getting into. We had mass during school, and I have some fond memories from these masses. As students, we would help to put them together, which really helps you understand the church from a different perspective. At a public school, prayer is totally inappropriate, but at a private school, you get what you pay for. If I had kids, I would send them to private schools, not that they are always better, but b/c I like the religious aspect.

Private School
 

When I have kids, I will send them to a secular private school. I'm already looking into single sex schools here on the west coast and also on the east coast.

I want the best for my kids and quite honestly, the California (or the US for that matter) Public school system *SUCKS*. I survived it and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

I went to a single sex high school.....it's an experience. I met some great girls, but it was a LONG four years!

I attended public schools for most of my primary and secondary education (including magnet schools) and I attended a boarding school for my final two years of high school. If I found a Christian school I was happy with, I would gladly send my kids. My husband attended Catholic schools, and he's happy with his education.

We have great neighborhood schools, but there is still MUCH to be desired in the public school system, not to mention the side effects of "No Child Left Behind", but that's another thread :) .

sorry to crash ladies I hope you don't mind....

my minister's daughter was home-schooled but went to the local public HS for foreign language and sports activities. She wanted to expand her horizons, add some classes to her transcripts for college and interact with kids her age that didn't just go to our church. You may want to look into that for your area as well. I know when I was home-schooled for a year my mom was able to get workbooks from the local elem. school for me. And as some said too there are Christian sports teams, etc around; my sister played soccer for one in the Orlando area last spring!

Also: I teach in an NYC Public school with a pre-k program and visit the pre-school my parent's church in Florida. There's a huge difference in behavior of the students and the general 'feeling' of the room from one school to the next. There are obvious environmnetal differences involved but I definetly think the added element of Christian faith helps strengthen the program and will lead the 'little lambs' to a very different life than the children in my public school, tho I am trying to shape those precious little ones into great boys and girls too!

ZTAMich,

How do you feel about being home schooled? Did you enjoy it? Were you with siblings or by yourself? What do you feel are the pros and cons of home schooling? Why were you home schooled as opposed to public or private? Are you in a rural area or city or suburb?

I want to know because this is a route I'm thinking of taking when I have kids. (and secular private schools also)

NP:)

NP,

Was going to PM you but perhaps my opinions/experiences will help others as well.

I was home schooled for 3 quarters of 4th grade in a Long Island Suburb. The Christian school I had attended since K was low in attendance and became too expensive for my parent to afford. Low in attendance is an understatement, the previous year I was one of THREE third graders. My parents were lucky that the elem school's curriculum (accelerated christian education) was able to be used for Home Schooling and I had an ok transition. However, I think as far as my progress academically, I would say that I didn't make any great advances beyond the levels I was at when I started 4th grade. I was ready for 5th grade yes but ready not above and beyond. The work for ACE was leveled to some extent but I was able to complete as much work in a year as I could handle so by 4th grade I was doing much harder Math & English work which got very hard for me and discouraging. This is where my mom went to our local public elem. school and got me workbooks for 4th grade for those two subjects. This helped my motivation a little bit and got me ready for the format of work in 5th grade. I didn't go bakwards but I didn't keep rolling forward either.

Being at home all day became boring and I resented leaving my school a bit. There was a homeschoolers group in my area and every Friday we got together at a church for some group instruction, church songs/story and socializing. We did a field trip every month or so. One mom taught French in her home to a bunch of us. My parents definetly tried to have the year be successful for my social and academic growth. They knew I would be going to public school for 5th grade, so I think I got away with a lot of laziness. I remember days where I didn't 'go to school' till mid afternoon. Plus my mom had a young toddler also in the house. Not being the only child after 7 years was difficult for me too at times, in addition to staying at home for school all day.

So I've experienced all kinds of things in my educational career! All three, private, home school & public had pros and cons. I had parents who had being teachers in their earlier careers as my teachers but I think they knew I was their child first and did what was best for me in the long run, not just for that academic year. There's a family of 6 kids (maybe more) at our church in Florida and they are ALL homeschooled. Here super organization and discipline is involved whereas my situation was a lot more relaxed. But it fit the times. I think that's a huge pro with homeschooling. Parents know their children and are a natural teacher or at least can prove a lot of insight into how their child should be taught. My mom and I have always been close and I think this year of me being home helped in that area as well.

Sorry this got to be so long. Please ask if you have any other questions!

I think that a major factor in the private vs. public school debate is location. Depending on how the Board of Ed. in your school is, it could make a huge difference. I live in New York City and up until high school, I was in a secular private school. I got accepted into a specialized public high school so my parents decided to take me out of private school because the costs were insane. We're talking my 8th grade tuition cost more than my private college tuition costs now. So anyways, one major difference I noticed between private and public school is the attention teachers paid to students and the effort that was put into college placement. At my public high school, you were randomly assigned your college advisor. Your advisor had between 100-150 other students, if you met with him or her, fine, if not, your loss. In addition, your advisor taught an average of 4-6 classes, and maybe advised a club or two. This meant it was usually pretty difficult to actually make an appointment to see your advisor. In the private school, however things were another story. Each college advisor had no more than 30 students. The advisors didn't teach any classes or do anything other than college advising from 8am- 3pm. The advisors were friends with admissions directors at colleges and they were often able to find out exactly what the admissions directors were looking for or could put in a good word for a particular applicant. In that respect, I think that yes, public versus private school makes a big difference.

I am all for freedom of choice. However, if you do decide to place your child in a private school. You need to make sure they are keeping up with the law You need to know the latest insider news at the school.

Some people say gossiping is not good, but it can save you from disappointments. My son's teachers withdrew their kids from that private school and quit. That was my final signed to pulled him out. If the staff does not believe in the school ability, what kind of lessons will him received.

The school is good in theory, but my child needs an education from strong well-educated and competent people. I withdrew him from that school. It was one of the best decision I made,
my son is happier now at public school.

I agree that a factor in private vs. public is location.

Here in Georgia, a person does not have to be certified in order to teach at many private schools. Besides that, historically many of these private schools were founded once integration started in an effort for Whites to keep their children out of the newly-integrated schools. Of course most of them may be diverse now, but being a transplant here that still doesn't sit too well with me.

I personally would not want to put my future children in either public or private schools here in the Atlanta area because everything has gotten too damn political. I taught briefly in DeKalb County and my ex-wife still teaches there. It is amazing how far schools have strayed from their true purpose these days. At the end of the day, the children are supposed to learn. However, many school districts and parents are worried about the wrong stuff. For example, when DeKalb wanted to put uniforms in place for high school students, the parents protested because they felt it would take away from their kids' "individuality". Hell, if wearing a uniform will allow my child to be more concerned with doing their work than with keeping up with the Joneses then I don't see the issue with it.

I brought this back up because I thought it was an interesting convo re schools and worthy of more discussion. Anyone else have thoughts regarding Public vs. Private, or your experiences or thoughts on the matter?

Ninja,

It doesn't matter if the school is public or private as long as the teachers, administration, students, and parents are dedicated, committed, motiviated and real learning is taking place. There's good and bad in all school systems, however, if the students are successful I say we have a win-win outcome.

Serioussigma22:cool:

My daughter was in a private school for about 4 years, from pre-k through 2nd grade. Her school was started by a woman that had a vision for our children in our area. Her main focus was on reading, and while I admit that my child did learn to read very well (also with help from mom and dad - we started her abc's and counting early), she now has a problem with comprehension. She is a smart young lady, but no thanks to mom and dad, we've not been on her enough about beginning good study habits, so there are some things that we're starting to change with her.

Anyway, I found some good and bad in this school. I do like how they focused on reading, but I believe because of this, they didn't focus as much on her math skills, so when she went to a charter school, her math skills were lacking. Me, being a person that loves math, I couldn't understand why she wasn't getting certain basic math principles. I was very concerned about that when she took the FCAT (we're in Florida) but she did fine. Also, there were some "bad" kids in her school, so they brought their bad attitudes with them. Would I place her in private school again? Yes. Overall, my experience as a parent was pretty good.

I dont have any kids but I grew up in the Catholic School system. In 11th grade I decided to leave and go to public school.....In 12th grade I ended up right back in catholic school not my parents choice but my own.

One thing with this experience is that catholic school taught me alot, academically and spiritually and these teachings kept myself and most of the students in line (you had your few bad asses but thats anywhere) and the teachers cared if you graduated and promoted furthering your education. The environment was conducive to learning. While in public school, a DC public school at that the environment was not conducive to learning, crowded classrooms, old books, and the teachers passed you for just coming to class. There was no intellectual challenge.

All public schools are not like this but when the school system is not up to par in your community, I am sure some parents "do what they have to do" to give their children the best opportunities. When it comes down to having kids one day the only thing I can do is determine which will benefit them more.