Catholic or Public School?

Question

I have a young child and I am trying to decide on public verses catholic school. Both scare me. I am not Catholic but my husband is a non practicing Catholic. I want her to have a good, safe education. Are there more advantages or disadvantages to catholic vs public school? What about science, is Catholic school behind? Is evolution taught in Catholic school?

Answer 1

I am afraid that though basic truths about Christianity are taught at most Catholic Schools, Creationism is not usually taught. i would check into the specific one you are sending your kids to. Ask around the local parish what they believe and teach about Abortion, Sexuality, Jesus and other important issues. Some Roman Catholic schools have departed from what they should be teaching depending on the principle and the teachers involved.

Answer 2

I've gone to Catholic school my entire life (since I was 3), now I'm a sophomore. I've never attended a straight out public school, but a lot of my friends have. I think, (it may depend on your area), that a Catholic school is much safer than public schools. That has a disadvantage though becuase kids are closed of from the world in a sense, sort of in a bubble. Evolution is taught in Catholic schools, but in science class, not religion. Catholic schools tend to be much smaller, so you don't meet as many people and you definitely don't get as much diversity as public school. However, Catholic schools tend to have much better programs and classes becuase they do not have the trouble of government funding. I think that people get a much better education at public school from the classes, but probably gain more "Real-life knowledge" at public school. I know I have given you a lot of pros and cons, but if I were you, I would send my child to Catholic school just becuase I've gone there my whole life and I have loved it. It has been the best experience ever for me. I know the classes and programs offered might not seem important at such a young age, but learning how to read and write is probably the most important skill kids will ever learn so it's important to have reat teachers and classes. Good luck with your decision!

Answer 3

i went to a catholic school, and I disliked it. the education was definately better, the teachers were very helpful, but it all depends on your child; do they like uniforms, strictor rules and the religion? it's a safer environment, but not entirely safe. the reason why i hated my school was that i was bullied constantly there and had no friends, which shows that just because its a catholic school doesnt mean that everyone there acts in a christian manner. i don't think evolution was taught to me there. overall, i would recommend the catholic school, since in the end, when your child goes out for a job, a catholic education will look much better, but remember to be open to your child's opinons of the school.

Answer 4

i go to catholic school. Some of my friends arent catholic, but i am. its not like you have to be catholic or something. And for science its the same as any other school. They teach about evolution and creation. My mom works at a public school, and some of her stories of the students and how they cant say god and stuff and it doesnt sound good. I'd go with a catholic school, just if your concerned about the molestings in the catholic church, check if there was an abuse there. But id go catholic.

Answer 5

I went to catholic school all my life and I LOVED it! It depends a lot on the school as with any other school. The best part of Catholic school is the community and parish that surrounds the school. Everyone knows everyone and feels safe. Evolution was taught in my school as well as religious views. They did not say which was right and which was wrong (Catholics can belive in evoultion and the Big bang). If you are not comfortable with religion then it is not for you.

Answer 6

In my opinion:

Catholic schools in the United States provide a very good moral and religious base for children. As a rule they are also safer than public schools.

Educationally, most of them are above average. Although some are exceptionally good and a very few are bad. Your school or the diocese should have some test scores for comparison.

In general, Catholic schools do a good job with average and above average kids.

However the resources of most Catholic schools in the United States are limited. If students need extra attention due to being way over or way under average, then their needs may not be properly met.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Test scores for all public schools should be online by now. They are for my state which is not a very progressive state.

So check public school scores and then visit the Catholic school and ask for their score report. Ask about parent involvement which will tell you how motivated the students are and how much the families value education. Then ask about violent and non-violent crimes. These are listed on my children's school's state report card. If the public school is better academically, you might start her out in public and then move to a Catholic high school. This will help you save for college tuition which is also a factor in your decision. College will run 30,000 to 125,000 per year by the time your child goes since costs are going up 1 1/2 times the rate of inflation and haven't slowed down yet.

In my son's high school, there was one accidental death, one suicide, one murderer who killed his sister and two children who committed sexual abuse acts on other children. We live in a middle class neighborhood.

Answer 8

I think there is more advantages in Catholic School!! to me its much safer! Catholic school is behind the evolution of God and how he made the world in 7 days! I think u should pick Catholic school!!!

Answer 9

IT WOULD DEPEND IN WHAT TYPE OF NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU LIVE IN. IF ITS A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD THAN PUBLIC SCHOOL BUT IF ITS NOT SUCH A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD THAN I WOULD SUGGEST CATHOLIC SCHOOL. IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL CLASSES ARE SMALLER AND YOU MOVE ON WITH THE SAME CLASS BASICALLY EVERY YEAR BUT THE STUDENTS HERE REALLY GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND THEY ARE TAUGHT TO TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT.

IN A PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOT EVERYONE REALLY DOES GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AS WELL BUT A STUDENT ALSO HAS MORE COMMUNICATION AND MORE ADVANTAGES IN MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND GETTING TO KNOW THE REAL WORLD!

Answer 10

i went to a catholic school.....i loved it.. i am don't really understand the science part...but we just have like regular science like earth science and we study about cells and we do study the scientific theory of evolution....but we also study the catholic version of evolution just not in science....in the private school i went to there were no serious problems like drugs and sex...(my school went preschool-8th) and you got to meet people and they develop a strong relationship with you i still love all my old class mates a lot...they sort of feel like a second family..then there is more one on one time with teachers so they can help you with studies but might also help u with your personal life which really helped me and the rest of my class....and my sister went to a public school and it was january and she was wondering if her teacher even knew her name....the teachers at the school i went to knew our names the day school started but i know that is due to small class...so even if she is not catholic i think she should go but that is just my opinion