private school vs public school?

Question

Better teachers? Better values tought? Better learning environment?
The little man's going off to kindergarten next year so we're debating.
Money's not an issue here so don't answer regarding finances

he could read at 4, i home pre-schooled him really. He can write pretty well for his age, and we teach him Christian, family values. I suppose private school is the way to go?

Answer 1

I think it depends on where you live and in the values you wish to have your child taught. My son has attended both and Private school was great his first two years and now he attends public school. Hes done great in both, the public school is more laid back, in the private school he wasnt able to even talk to his friends in the lunch room. So just check with the schools, see what its like, and make sure if you decide on a private school, that what they teach is the same kind of values that you use at home. I would say though if your public schools are good, then there shouldnt be a problem attending a public school, its more likely that he will have more fun there. However if he is really smart, like way above average in language and possibly reading, then I would opt with private school as their curriculum is usually more advanced.

Answer 2

Hey Angelica,

There really is no cut-and-dried answer for you. Having moved around a lot in the US as well as other countries when I was growing up, I attended private and public schools as well as being home-schooled part of the time. There are a lot of factors to consider.

How good is the quality of the public schools where you live? What is the quality of the private schools? I live in a large metropolitan area and certain school districts should probably be closed down while just one town over you've got really good public schools. I also know of private (high) schools that have drug problems worse than in the local public schools.

Your child's personality will also have a bearing on your decision. Does he need a smaller classroom? Would he do OK in a larger class or would he feel lost and not do as well?

You didn't mention homeschooling as an option for the future and this should only be considered if YOU are cut out for it. Even if you decided homeschooling was the best option for him, if it doesn't work with your personality, don't do it. I know of 2 sisters who never finished school because their mother didn't have what it took to keep them on track.

Actually, you're in a terrific position ... although having to make a choice may be a little frustrating. Since money is not an issue, you can choose the private school route and not feel financially strapped. Or you could choose the public school route because you wanted to and not feel you are short-changing your son because you couldn't afford to send him to a better school.

Good luck in your decision. And remember, you can always switch to the other school system if your first choice doesn't seem the best decision. This is not a decision that is set in stone and cannot be changed. If you need some other resources or ideas on parenting issues, check out the link I've included.

Cindy

http://www.family-matters-tidbits.com

Answer 3

It depends so much on the particular schools in your area. There are good and bad private schools just as there are good and bad public schools.

Visit each school. Talk to the teachers and staff. Ask about curriculum, class sizes, resources available, and support staff. Because public schools must provide so many resources and services due to legal reasons, they're sometimes better staffed than their private school counterparts. Are the teachers certified? Are they experienced or well trained? The teachers and staff (esp. the administration) will make a big difference in establishing whay kind of learning environment the school provides.

As far as "values," if you're referencing religious values, you'll have to go to a private school for that. Public schools will teach values such as respect, compassion, sharing, etc, but will leave religion out of it.

And while you say "money's not an issue," consider what a nice savings account you could build for your son with the money that you would save by sending him to public school.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I think if finance is no issue, private school may give you a better student/teacher ratio. My daughter went to public school and I had to be very involved to be sure she was always challenged. I was fortunate to have an aunt in the school system to help slot my daughter in with the best teachers.

My daughter was bored at times but was fortunately a self-starter and learned despite the hurdles. I also have a nephew that has attended a private school his whole life and is relying on a sport scholarship to get him in a good college. My daughter is in her 3rd year at Yale. Go figure.

It's up to the support you give your child right from the beginning through their entire school years and how much your child loves learning. Challenge them always and make it fun. They'll take themselves farther than any private or public school can. The art of learning is based at home.

Answer 5

It all depends on the school. I am in a public high school (9th grade), but I was in a private school from Kindergarden untill 5th grade. I've been to 3 private schools and two public schools.

I love the two public schools I have been to, I get a very good education and there are alot of people in the school that i can socialize with. My private schools were very nice as well, I got a very good education there as well, but honestly, there weren't enough people in my class. In the class above me there was only one girl and six boys!

Just do a pro-con list. What do you want for your child? Good socializing along with a good education that may have a less than desired student-teacher ratio. Or a good education, not as good socializing, and a very good student-teacher ration.


Good Luck =]

Answer 6

I think Public school is a better choice.
I went to private school for several years and hated it.
I had maybe one or two friends and the teachers were frightening.
When I started going to public school I had alot more fun and learned alot more.
Public school may not have all of the perks of private school but it is overall a better experience.
I suggest that you send your child to public school. Private school ends eventually, and in public school you have a chance to keep the same friends from kindergarden to the endof high school.
Also, private school doesn't show an accurate view of society. In private school you stay a society virgin (I don't mean this in any relation to sex), and when you end up in the real world it's even harder to adjust.

Answer 7

I went to public school most of my life, attending only a private school when I went off to college (it was a private Jesuit college in New England). While there, I found that since I didn't have much religious background, I couldn't fully participate in most conversations regarding Christianity (I had attended church most of my life but we had never really had an opportunity to discuss religion in the same manner we did at college). Yet, I found that since I was public schooled, I was more informed about life in general, and less "sheltered" than the other students. Most were private schooled or lived in areas without much diversity. My "street smarts" and knowledge about life in general made me an interesting addition to my courses, and actually helped me out a lot more during college than if I had known the Bible by heart. The professors I had at college were much better than my public school teachers, but I felt as though I had benefited from both public and private schooling. It's really a personal issue.so whatever you feel is best for your child!

PS: I am VERY OFFENDED about the above comment stating that private schools offer a "better class" of people. You should not want your child to grow up judging people by their wealth. I was very poor growing up, but know my morals and values. When I was in college surrounded by "upper middle class" people, I found that they were the ones who were doing drugs, etc. Please don't think that private school people are "better" than others. Focus on what education is fit for you and your child.

Answer 8

Check out any local government resources to compare your choices. Most data is available on-line. Your local board of education should have prior years stats to compare reading, math etc. You may also want to compare information against national averages, and get a good feel for how your school district is measuring up.

Private Schools- do a walk through at any open house or prior to the upcoming year. Observe are the Kindergarten's truly engaged and happy in their classrooms.

The right 'Public School' has just as much to offer as any private institution. Check in with the local PTA, are they active in your district and making a significant impact in the school of your choice.

(( new to K ourselves, I am pleasantly surprised in all my ds has learned thus far into the year. Handwriting, Spelling, Poetry, Rhyming, Reading (more than just sight words), Graphs and Bar Charting, Intro. to Spanish, Weather, Holidays, Month and Day of week Observations. Each day is something new... just as it should be!)) 1 vote for Pub-Ed.

Answer 9

Private schools have a better education the kids are given advanced placement classes (in public school) as regular classes they also get more attention with the smaller class sizes. The office workers,teachers everyone in building will know your childs name. Private school is the way to go!!!

Answer 10

Private schools have better resources and (usually) better teachers. I went to both, and although I learned more "street smarts" in public school, I got a much better education in private school.