Public School vs. Catholic School

Question

Hello! I am going into 8th grade this year (I currently go to a private school), and am begining to consider schools for next fall's 2009-2010 school year. 2 of the 3 schools I'm considering is Catholic and the other 1 is Public. What will I be getting out of all the expeirence? My mom switched me out of public school in 3rd grade because I was too smart for the curiculum, while now the curiciculum is too overwhelming. So this was not my decision. What are the kids like? Will I be able to make friends in either? How will I be able to tour a public school if it doesn't have any open house. Just give me a run down of what to expect. From both or either, depending on which schools you have gone to in your school carrer. This would help me out a ton! Thank you!

Answer 1

Up until high school, I attended public school, and I absolutely hated it. Once I was approaching high school, I decided to attend a Catholic school. My main concern when I chose my school was the people. Catholic schools, I have noticed, have generally better people to be friends with. Catholic schools are normally smaller, which I, personally like because I am shy. You are more likely to make friends in a private school, because mostly everyone there is happy because they were the ones that chose to go to that school. With this, the teachers are also happier and nicer, because the kids are nicer. Also, when I chose schools I was concerned with, obviously, the education i would receive. When I scheduled classes for the public school, they put me in no honors classes, and wouldn't let me choose really at all what classes i would be in. WHen i did scheduling for Catholic school, they put me in all honors classes. I feel I really am smarter now for my age than I was when i was in public school. I have been really successful in getting High Honor Roll, as well as being let into advanced classes for my sophomore year. Ultimately, I think Catholic school is the way to go.

Answer 2

At a public school you are generally exposed to much more diversity than at private schools. This is a very, very important factor that will help you later in life. In public school, there are some kids like those in Catholic school, and a lot that are different. There are generally more unmotivated students at public school and you have to be self motivated. If you can make friends in Catholic school, then you can make friends in Public school.

At my public school prospective students for the next year's freshman class are allowed to shadow (follow around with another student for a day). For more information on this contact the school you are considering attending.

I thoroughly enjoy my time at public high school and have found that the range of course offerings far exceeds that at any private school in the area. However, there is probably as lrge or close to as large difference in the two private schools you are considering as there is between the public school and the private schools. There is no way to tell what it is like to attend each school based only on knowledge of whether it is public or private. Visit all of the potential schools, and make the best decision you can. you'll probably adapt yourself to whereever you go.