Is Catholic School better than Public Schools?

Question

I want the best for my 4 year old daughter. I want to enroll her next year. But I would like some more personal opinions. Thanks

Answer 1

Absolutely. I had my son in a public school and when I asked the teachers there why they didn't bother to contact me when there was a problem...one of the said "I don't get paid enough." My son was out smarting the public school teachers and they were surprisingly disinterested and some were actually stupid. So I transferred him to a Catholic school and the teachers there are hand picked ...highly intelligent and because I pay them...I get a call if my son doesn't do his homework or has any problems what so ever. I am thank full that I have a private Catholic school in my vicinity. Also the kids at the private school are better mannered and look after their fellow students....

Answer 2

I truly believe it depends on where you live. Where I am, the Catholic School is great, but there is one downside. Their curriculum doesn't even come CLOSE to matching that of the public school's in this district. When I worked at the school (not as a teacher, I was a secretary) most of the children who came from the Catholic school were behind their peers in the same grade level. That's not to say that every Catholic school is this way. You would need to research your area's schools to find out about it.

My daughter will start Kindergarten next year as well, but I'm really leaning towards Montessori education. Do some research on that and you might like what you see. I have to admit though, the only thing holding me back just a little is the price. Other than that, I really love the concept. I took my daughter to tour our local Montessori school back in the spring, and she loved it!

I wanted to clarify something that someone else said. Catholic schools (or any private schools for that matter) are still able to offer special education services through the district they are located in. They are under legal obligation to go through the district to get IEPs (Individual Education Plan) put in place like in any public school. I know this b/c my daughter has an IEP. She would still receive Physical Therapy (she has Cerebral Palsy) if I sent her to the Montessori school. The school district provides the service b/c they are the ones who get the money from the government for it.

GOOD LUCK making your decision.

Answer 3

Well if you believe the Washington Post, The New York Times, Harvard University, US New and World Report, Time, Newsweek, Boston College, and hundreds of other institutions who have studied the same question, absolutely without a doubt the Catholic Schools out perform Public Schools in every single academic area, lead to more scholarships, lead to better employment, are allow to include a moral reinforcement, better discipline, hey I could go on and on. In Western New York, we are talking a difference of about 2 grade levels higher at elementary graduation (Grade 8). These schools respect the religion of the children who go there, there is no indoctrination but tolerance and respect is taught. Teachers generally want to be there because they are dedicated, and if there is a really bad element somehow, that can be dealt with with more finality than in the public schools. ONLY if your child has a real interfering learning disability is the Public School better suited to handle it. Those are the facts. A final fact is that public schools in many areas are studying public school and trying to copy there environment and successful approaches. There are three here on the elementary level instituting Catholic Schools policies, and they are showing results. I recommend Catholic Education with my whole heart.

Answer 4

Ok, I'm 17, so I'll give you my opinion.
I'm homeschooled and will be a senior this yr. I went to public school untill 7th grade. I knew a lot of kids who went to catholic school. The school here only goes untill 6th grade, and then they're put into the public midddle school. To me that would be a negative, because all the other kids already know each other, and you're a year behind there.

Second, Are you catholic? If not then the answer would definitely be NO! Because then you're just confusing your child.

Personally I've found the catholic kids I know to be just as bad behaved as public schoolers, and many of them worse. A lot of the catholic schooled kids I know are arrogent and believe that they're better than everyone else and that is a problem. I know some 3rd graders in the catholic school who know more swear words than I do. Scary. I don't really believe it is much better, unless you're a devout catholic and want your child to be engaged in bible study/church every day. If that was the case you probably wouldn't be asking this question.
Good Luck

Answer 5

i went to both public and then catholic school....i loved catholic school. it was smaller and the teachers had more one on one time with you. I have a 4 year old know, who i placed in a methodist pre-school because of the curriculum but next year my daughter will be enrolled in a catholic school no matter what the cost. It is my responsibility to ensure that she gets the best education possible...we need to stop doing what easiest and letting a bunch disgruntled public school teachers take out their frustrations on our children.

Answer 6

I go to a Catholic school, and some of my classmates aren't even Catholic. They just go there, because their parents think that it's a better environment for them. Our school is actually adjacent to a public school. The other school has a longer history of trouble. But it's all about where you live (in some areas, the difference is not great so you might as well go for public if you're not Catholic yourself). But it's whatever is better for you. Also, whether you're Catholic or not.

Answer 7

You don't necessarily have to be Catholic.

If you're not Catholic, I'd check to see if religion classes are mandatory or optional. They're probably not offered for kindergarten, anyway, but something to look into if you keep her in Catholic school for more than a year.

If you are Catholic, then it wouldn't matter either way.

But some Catholic schools can be too strict, though! A female friend of mine went to Catholic school when she was six, she stepped in a mud puddle (purely by accident), and one of the pengui- er, I mean nuns made her kneel on raw rice for three hours saying "hail marys". Last time I talked to her (years ago; haven't heard from her in years), she was still having nightmares about Catholic school.

If the public schools in your area are good, then she would probably enjoy that more.

And you wouldn't have to shell out serious tuition money, either. Save it for college!

Answer 8

Wow, what varying opinions. I'm sure you know there is no good way to answer this without knowing your religious background and your community schools. I attended Catholic schools as do my children. For me, the choice was easy. To have my children someplace where God could not be discussed was not an option for me. I do not feel they are sheltered in any way. Both the grade school and high school are boy/girl settings. I could not be more satisfied with my decision. Also, if you are Catholic, it is easier for parent and child that the child receive the Sacraments through their daily religious education rather than attending Sunday PRE classes.

Answer 9

I think that a catholic school is better than a public school for a few reasons.

I was in a public school until 8th grade. It wasn't a bad expereience but in classes there was less discipline. In public schools (at least the ones here) the worst they can do is write you a little piece of paper saying you were bad. They can suspend you but why would you suspend someone for talking back to a teacher?

in my private school we have things where if you misbehave you have to clean tables at lunch or help clean up after school (garbage duty, etc.).

While some catholic schools aren't very good others are. It all depends on your neighberhood.

Answer 10

It all depends on how the students are. For example, the public school I went to in elementary was a great environment, but the Catholic school in Japan I went to after had students who don't act Catholic at all and tortured me psychologically. The Christian school I go to now in California is the best one I've been to so far. I advise you check the curriculum and ask kids who go to the different schools what their experience is like.