Which is better to send my child to? Public or private school?

Answer 1

You need to research this. What class size in the public school? Do they have teacher aides to help out in larger classes?

How did your child do in pre-school? If you don't anticipate problems and the class size is about 20 students (or less), public school will do to begin with.

It's important to be involved in your child's education. An active parent is a blessing to both the child and the school.

Did you know reading books to your child will significantly affect his own desire to learn? Did you know parents who read have children who read? This is one of the most important factors in a child's development.

Answer 2

Public school!! I went to a private school all the way until 7th grade when I transferred to a public school. Teachers are awful in private schools, they only teach so their child can go there free, since it's so expensive. I about failed 4th and 5th grade because of that. When I went over to public I was on the A honor roll, and I would always get highest average in the class. Private schools have the same type of people in them just like public schools. But you have more of the people that are the snobby type that actually have the money to put their kid in private school. Just research the schools and maybe take a day just to observe what its like in and out of the class. I'm sure the office will let you sit in on a class. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

It's not about whether the school is public or private. It's about the individual school or district, the resources available to it, the quality of teachers and administrators, the philosophy of the school system and how committed the investment in that philosophy is. Some private schools are mom and pop stores with inexperienced teachers and stretched resources. If the teacher body is changing all the time, watch out. Also, do they have the resources to provide your child with all the experiences you would want them to have?

Don't rely on reputation (in public or private); reputations can sometimes be the laurels that schools sit on.

It's an arduous process finding out whether the school you want your child to attend is actually the right school. Find out what kinds of assignments and what philosophy the different departments advocate. Ask for a book list and find out if the books are on/above or below grade level. Find out how much test prep is being done in your school. IMHO, if there is a significant amount, watch out.... unless Stanley Kaplan Middle School is what you were looking for. But, don't totally discount the scores, because if the school isn't getting them, thats an important piece of information. Watch out for jargon and sweet talking. Most of it means nothing and often smarmy talk about authentic assessment or data based instruction or the whole child... is code language. Not always, of course... but authentic assessment can mean portfolios and rigor or it can mean lazy teacher summer camp. Data based instruction can mean evaluating where your child's strengths and weaknesses are, or it can mean we only care about scores and we're dropping the ball on any child that isn't in our crosshairs for that goal. If your child would be a candidate, find out about opportunities for advanced classes and how placement is determined, hetero versus homogeneous grouping, after school activities. What are the arts programs like, what about sports. What kinds of technology is available for children to use. Find out how old/young the teacher population is. You want a mix of experience and enthusiasm.

Find out what your administration (department chairs, principals, superintendents of curriculum and instruction, etc.) did before administration. Evaluate their credentials, as well as teachers. They are the heads of the hydra and their experiences and interests influence the direction of schools.

Also, if your child is in elementary, check out the middle school and the high school. Be sure that you like the view all the way up. Some people like to mix and match... public and private depending on the quality of the different levels. It's hard to move a child away from their friends at a certain point, but if you like one part of the system better than another... be ready to vote with your feet.

Good luck in your search.

Answer 4

I would have to disagree with the first answer. Private schools have higher standards. But they cost a lot of money. You would need to research and visit the schools in your area to make the decision. How good or bad is the public school? what are the private school options? how much do they cost? What are their average test scores on standardized tests? Which has a better record at getting kids into good colleges?

Answer 5

Honey I've been a teaching assistant for 23 years in a public school. Here's my advice to you and anyone asking this question. I have several friends that have sent their children to private schools and that's just great. I personally love public schools because they are the real deal. I think they better prepare your child for the outside world and it's problems. You can't hide life under a rug. I think the sooner we try to deal with things the better. Protect and love your children above all things, but don't let them wear rose colored glasses either.

Answer 6

I totally agree w/ audrey. I went to private Catholic and public and I taught in both as well.

What is best for your child? It really is very individualized for each child of a family. I know families that mix public, private, charter, cyber and home schooling depending on the needs of each of their children.

Good Luck!!

Answer 7

two differences:

1. Parents are far more involved when their kids go to private school.

2. If the public school system in your area is extremely dangerous, the private school may be more secure.

other than that there really is no difference. just as many kids get pregnant in private as they do in public and education is fairly comparable.

Answer 8

I live in an area where the public schools are excellent, so we send our children to public schools. That is not true everywhere, so if we were ever to relocate we would certainly not be opposed to sending our kids to private school.

Generally speaking, private schools have smaller class sizes and pursue more rigorous curricula than public schools.

Answer 9

public school.

i have nothing against private schools, but i've gone to public schools my whole life. the quality of education is the same if not better. make sure the public school you pick has high standards and good test scores so no child left behind doesn't affect you.

Answer 10

Public, because your child will have more freedom, but if the school is huge I would suggest a small public school were children are easily montitored, and make sure they have police as well unless its elementary school.