What do you think about Private Schools for your children?

Question

With my own daughter I have awhile to decide between school options. But I think its an important topic between my husband and I. We both are still undecided but I think public school's (in some area's) are just getting pretty bad. And it worrys me to let my children go to them. and they are all over the United States so you cant just pick up and move. I don't want to homeschool, because of many reason's. Its OUT of the question. even though the thought of my children at home learning with me insted of somewhere else sounds good.I just know its not for us. So that leaves us with Private schools. And from my experience of going to private schools, I really enjoyed it, but my husband thinks that if we shelter her in a private school she will go crazy in college or "buck wild" like he says...So it sounds like nothing is in her better interest! When they all are... So basically my question is, what kind of school are your children in and what do you and dont you like about it? and if you could afford private school would you let your kids go instead of public schools? Im just looking for other parents advice, on what to do education wise.

Answer 1

My attends a wonderful private school, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.  The public schools in our area are good, but we want the best education possible for our son.  Many parents shy away from private school because they think their children won't be exposed to diversity, which is completely untrue.  My son's school is actually more diverse than our local public school.  Another reason that parents often choose public over private is that they think private schools shelter kids and don't prepare them for the "real world."  That's absolutely ridiculous.

In addition, my son's school has many "extras" included in the regular curriculum - karate, yoga, Spanish, a terrific music program consisting of weekly orchestra and choir classes, drama, swimming, and gardening, to name a few.  Really, who wouldn't want that?

Now, some public schools are excellent, and some private schools are not so great.  The key is visiting each school and deciding what is best for your child.  Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm still in high school, but I go to a private Catholic (jesuit) school. I love it there. I am not a practicing Catholic and I am not sheltered. What makes my private school not only bearable, but enjoyable is that it's bigger than a lot of public schools. There 2100 kids in the school and 570 in my grade. The rules aren't too strict. We have a dress code and are taught religion, but other than that, I think it would be about the same as any public school. My parents gave me a choice where to go and I chose this school.

As far as grade school, I hated it. I went to a more conservative, smaller, private Catholic school. There were 20 kids in my grade.

I think as long as the private school you choose isn't tiny and has a more relaxed feel to it, your kids could really enjoy it. The learning envirnoment is great.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I struggle with the same thing every year with my daughter. I enrolled my daughter in a private school a few years back and she only stayed the first semester. I didnt think it was worth the $$$$ i was spending for her to come home with the same coloring page for homework 2 days in a row. She was in 2nd grade then. She is now going to the 6th grade and here where i live 6th grade is middle school. We tried getting her a grant for private school but even with the help of the grant it was still too much for us to pay the remainder of the $$$$. So now we are looking in to charter schools. But if i had more confidence in the public middle school here in our district I guess i wouldnt have a problem sending her there. And Its not just me in a panic. Some of my daughters freinds parents are looking into other schools out side of our district, private and public. I dont think just cause your in private school means your sheltered. I went to a private school my freshman year of high school, and let me tell you those kids were crazy. Dinking in the locker room, doing drugs at lunch. Just cause they are in private doesnt make them any different from other kids. It just means that they are getting more one on one time in the classroom. So basically you need to do lots of reaserch on your public schools and if you dont like them accademically then look into private and if you cant afford private then look into charter schools and if you cant find a really good charter school in your area than you can either home school or send to public. i attached a web site that is always useful when im reaserching any schools i might be looking into whether its public, private or charter. GOOD LUCK!!!  

Answer 4

my husband and I briefly talked about this (our son isn't even born yet), but we both feel that private or charter schools are a better option in terms of safety and education.  There is always the risk of the child rebelling when they become a teenager, but that doesn't necessarily have to do with the school that they are in (although they make get away with more at a public school so it may not be so obvious).  We have a while to think about it too, but I agree that the public schools are getting out of control.