Do you think Catholic Schools really provide a better, more thorough education, then public schools?

Question

I attend a Catholic High School - in fact I'm there right now - and I do think we receive a better education then my public school peers...and that's not right. If anything, our public schools should be just as well staffed, the best facilities, and autonomy from the whims of the school district. that, after all, is what we are paying for through our taxes.

Answer 1

Sorry to break it to you hun, but just because we pay taxes doesn't mean public schools are going to have anywhere near as good of facilities or teachers that a private school has. Public class sizes are enromous, often times students get over looked and slip through the cracks simply because the teachers are too busy or because there is not the proper programs available to cater to individual needs. I think Catholic schools provide more individual attention, have better resources, and unlike public schools are also allowed to help children be well-rounded in education and religion.

Answer 2

I think that if you want an education, you will go to the library and learn about what you are interested in. School is for getting into college and then getting a job. It's for showing the world that you are a go getter and can get the job done. Right now, colleges are focusing on the public schools, AP and IB. So while you may go to a Catholic school that really teaches you something, I'd still recommend public school, and the IB program.
Also, a lot of people I know that went to Catholic school came away with a lot of guilt and a misunderstanding of the doctrine of grace (there is nothing you can do to make God love you more, there is nothing you can do to make him love you less, you can't get kicked out of the kingdom for masturbating, etc). If it makes you angry at God, or judgemental towards other people, get out.

Answer 3

I know a lot of people that attended Catholic schools. They didn't seem any brighter, just a bit more sheltered from class struggles. I was raised as an Evangelist and was always surprised at the lack of biblical knowledge Catholics seemed to have. You go to a parochial school and don't even learn Bible basics?
Older Catholics seemed to be very disinterested in academics while younger Catholics are using their elite status for college scholarships.
I disagree that schools should be autonomous from their districts. School Districts should be stronger and represent their communities better.

Answer 4

I think it depends on the Catholic School and the Public School District. My two daughters attend a catholic school and I am extremly disapointed in what they have learned compared to the public school they went to before.

They are going back to public school next year because of the dispointment I have.

Answer 5

i think catholic schools just provide emphasis on catholic teaching. but if you are referring to "private" against "public" education then comes the difference.

it doesn't always mean that you get better education when you study in "private" school. it just means you get more attention and resources. example: school facilities would be better, less people in class so teacher can closely monitor progress of each student.

in terms of quality of education, "public" schools also delivers. in fact, in our country one of the best university is considered a public school as it is a state university.

Answer 6

I think Catholic Schools have the opportunity to give better education because they are private. They can make their curriculum what ever they want and concentrate on what they think is important. They also can choose who they accept and can refuse or get rid of the trouble makers thus no time is wasted by the teachers babysitting or on class disruptions.

Answer 7

I went to Catholic Schools for 6 years, after going to public schools for 6 years.
Both have their advantages, and I'm really glad I had both experiences. Actually, the public schools had more facilities in some ways than my Catholic schools.
The problem is, children do much better if they are loved----God's love, and everything that was exemplary about Christ, the Saints, and the Virgin Mary was held up to us as the authority in Catholic school---this example of behavior, decorum, and decision-making was part of the atmosphere, and every day I walked in that school I felt it, and it made me care about myself, and my fellow students. "Good" behavior came first, before everything else, and made life much smoother. We questioned lots of concepts and rules in class, but we got specific and reasonable answers, always.
Out in the vicious, cold, miserable, and crummy real world after High School, none of this applied, of course----but, for that space in our lives, we had the experience of happiness and right-ness, and it made a great difference.

The specific moment I recall (that showed how great Catholic School was) was going to a public school a few weeks one summer to take typing and driver's education (driver's ed wasn't offered at my high school). The courses were just fine, and I'm glad I took them, but walking into the school every day was like walking into an icy-cold factory. The atmosphere was so completely different, bland, cold, empty, and sad. It was a factory, not a cohesive, caring group.

Answer 8

Not necessarily. My catholic school had fewer behavioral problems and offered more challenging courses, but they also didn't have the same standards as the public schools when it came to hiring teachers (no certification necessary), plus I had to take 4 years of theology and they didn't teach evolution.

Answer 9

If the public school system wants to improve the quality of education, it can start by letting God back into the school.

Answer 10

I went to a private grade school and I actually thought the public schools were better.