Private School VS Public School?, experiences please?

Question

My daughter is going to school this year and my husband and I are undecided on Private VS Public. Big Issues are: Public= too many students not enough teachers, less learning resources, Private= more teachers, more learning resources. My father went Private/ mother went Public and both stick by their sides. We both went Public because our parents could not afford Private. We have always been against an elitest lifestyle. We want to give our daughter the best education we can offer. Someone suggested giving money we would spend on Private School to the Public School to help with resorces- no matter what difference it makes. Has anyone been Private/ Public School, or to both? What did you think were the greatest benefits of your schooling? and do you think the school you go to effects any future efforts in gaining employment?

We live in QLD, Australia. Alot of money is given to private schools,( most is given to catholic private schools), from our government- so much that about 2-3 years ago it provoked public protest. We have a new extra school year in Australia- in the year a child turns 5, (before June), they attend school 5 days a week/ 6 hours a day. Therefore unless they have their birthday in January, most of the children are 4 years old in their first year of school. I live near, (within walking distance), 2 public schools & 2 catholic private schools, in a upper middle class suburb. The public school teacher/student ratio is 1/25-30, for private it is 1/15-20. Both pulic schools have reputations/ awards for being great schools- community participation, sports, best teacher award, one has a pool while the other has a new playground & each have a few computers- 1 per 3-4 students. Both private schools have great reputations, better equipped playgrounds, more learning resources, 1 computer per child,

Answer 1

I live in Australia and I have been to a public, private and catholic private school. The public school had the least resources and teachers, and it was a lot of learning just in the classroom. At my private school, we learnt basically the same thing as the public school but the environment was nicer and the class sizes were smaller. At the catholic private (the school i currently attend) i would have to say it is better than both my previous schools. The classes are thought out very well and the grounds are beautiful. It is a very supportive and nurturing learning environment. I think most catholic schools are similar.

Answer 2

Well I have never went to private school myself, but I want to comment for you as my brother went to a private high school. I think it depends on which public school and which private schools. I went to a wonderful public school because most of the people were there to learn. I took advance classes such as AP. The public school paid for me to take the AP tests, the public school awarded me a scholarship (of 1300 USD per year) for completing my bachelor's degree. The public school had many computers to use.

I have had experience with teachers in private school that DO NOT HAVE resources that they would like such as technology because they do not receive a lot of money from the government, remember they are mostly privately funded. The teachers there are mostly older or younger teachers because the private schools do not pay a high teaching wage (the private school teachers are generally paid less than the public school teachers and generally in the private school there are no teacher's union). The curriculum may be said to be that of a university curriculum in high school. However, as I mentioned some advantages to the public school in a private school they do not pay for your AP tests, I don't believe they offer scholarships and the parents must pay the tuition which could be hard if the parents don't have a lot of money.

I am not sure that nowadays anyone cares about the high school someone attended for employment? I was never asked that before when applied for a job. It may be important when applying for the university.

Answer 3

Private school can be great, but each private school is so different. Boarding can be great for some kids, and terrible for others. It really depends on where you want to send her. Is it a school in the US? What school? Some private schools have excellent reputations. Try to talk to some parents of students who go to the private school you are choosing. Some private schools have a very snooty upperclass population, and some have a huge assortment of students from all different backgrounds.

I think that elementary schools are fine for public schools (although a private elementary school can greatly benifit a young child, with all of the extra curricular activities they offer) Usually arts education at private elementary schools is better. Make sure you are sure that you will have enough money to get her all the way through her educaitonal career. Remember inflation. I started private school in grade 7 when the tuition was 5,000$ a year - 6 years later the tuition was 12,000 a year.

What ever you decide - if you want to go private get her name on a waiting list NOW. Sometimes you have to be on a list for over a year to guarentee a spot.

Answer 4

I have attended both personally and to be honest with you, the public education in my area was much better than the private education I received. When I was tested for the private (catholic) school, the principal warned my parents I may be left back, she was shocked when my scores came back and I tested a grade HIGHER after being in public school for 5 years. You need to look at the standing of the school's academics. I do understand what you are saying about exposing your child to ideas/teaching you do not agree with, however, as long as you set a good example, and explain why to your children, this will not really become an issue. My children are 15 and 13 and both in public schools

Answer 5

Just remember the phrase, "You get what you pay for." You don't have to become an elitist just so you can provide the best education for your daughter.

Public schools can be OK, if you live in a small town...I'd say with a population less than 10,000 people.

I grew up in St. Louis...I went to the public school system there and it was a joke...I lived on the south side of the city and was bussed to the north side just to satisfy the needs of desegregation...then you dealt with the actual classroom setting...textbooks that were published in the 50's...sometimes 60's...Then there were the gang bangers, drug dealers, lions, tigers, and bears...oh my...
Not an ideal setting at all...

My younger brother and I were in that school system for two years. Well, I was there for two years...my brother had a nervous breakdown because of all the bigotry, bullying, and hatefulness that he had to deal with everyday(he had never had to deal with that before). My mom decided that he needed to be home-schooled and pulled him out of the school system. So I continued to go to that school while my brother stayed at home. The home schooling went really well, but only lasted a little more than a year. Then my folks decided to move away to the nicer part of town. I was sooooo happy when my folks made that decision .

If the both of you work, you can probably find a good parochial school for your daughter. Some can be expensive, but once in awhile you can find one that can be affordable too.

If only one of you work...I'd probably go with home schooling. It gives you alot more control of what your daughter becomes exposed to. You control what's being studied. You control the time spent on the subject matter. The only drawback is socialization, or lack thereof. However, I have seen kids who have been home-schooled up until the fifth grade, and then placed into public schools. Alot of times, they turn out to be more educated, and more socialable than their peers.

I would not...would not... recommend giving your money to a public school because they already get money from you in the form of taxes...shouldn't that tax money be enough? A public school should be held to account because that's what they are there for: to provide an excellent education for your child.

A prospective employer is not going to care about where your child went to in elementary, junior, or senior high schools.

All a prospective employer cares about is whether or not the kid has a degree and does it come from a reputable, accredited college.

I hope that I have been of some help...good luck!

Answer 6

I went to both. and although at the time I preferred public school, looking back I have to say Private school is the best. You can't get away with as much in private school. And they are more concerned about you learning.

Answer 7

I think that the private school would be a good idea for her. There's alot of stuff that can be controled in private schools that they just can't in the public ones.