Which is more important to your child's development...?

Question

good character or academic excellence...if you are choose between a christian based school or montessori with academic excellency.

Answer 1

Good character and academic excellence can both be developed in either of the christian or Montessori schools.

But you also need to understand that GOOD character comes from what is learned at home and not in school.

Before making your decision call the schools you are interested in and visit them so you can get a "vibe" from the place and specially with the teachers since they will be involved with your offspring.  

Trust your mommy instinct and choose the school that you believe your daughter/son will be more safe in and in which you can see your daughter/son enjoy herself/himself.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Both. Check out all  your options and go with the school your child responds to the best. Trust your instincts.

Answer 3

1. Learning to mow the lawn.

2. Learning to take out the trash.

3. Learn to ask your mother for an allowance.

4. Learn to make a good gin and tonic.

Answer 4

I vote home school. For both reasons. You choose the academic course and work at your child's pace, which in most cases puts them a year or two ahead of students learning away at school. You build the child's character based on what your morals are, not allowing the child to end up "peer dependent" because they have been "socialized" by a bunch of kids their own age that don't have a clue on some things, or worse yet have ideas that don't match up to your family.

Our kids get taught social skills and we work along side them to make sure they know how to act towards people from all types of backgrounds and all types of ages. They live in the real world through volunteering, clubs, sports dance, ect. They are busy kids with a wonderful group of friends, so don't let the whole socialization myth get to you!

I found out the hard  way that even in a Christian private school the exposure to some of the kids and even the teachers can do more harm than good. So don't count on it being any better.

Answer 5

christian school i went to one in preschool it help me. Good character

Answer 6

Happiness is clearly more important than money (and that's all academic excellence will lead to) - every religion on this planet agrees (in theory at least).

I find it frightening that this isn't obvious to everyone.

Answer 7

I think christian school.  No matter which school, your child is going to develope a personality.  I think that Montessori is too complicated learning techniqes.  But it depends on what each school is like.  Which do you like better?

Answer 8

good character is more important in my opinion, but that has nothing to do with religion

good character is something that the parents teach the kid by being a good role model

academic excellence, that's what the schools are for

Answer 9

First Christian schools do not guarantee Good Character nor does it mean you are forgoing good character by choosing the Montessori school.

And the opposite is true as well - The Montessori school will not guarantee academic excellence, nor will you be giving it up by choosing the Christian school.

If I had to choose, I would choose a school for academics as long as I felt it was not detrimental to my child's character development, as I feel I have more influence over their character at home then their academics.

However, a Montessori school is not for every child.  They MUST be very self-motivated.  As a public middle-school teacher I found that many of my students that came from a Montessori background lacked certain basics.  They were very articulate and knowledgeable, but sometimes had gaps in basic skills.    And in our area, the public Montessori charter school is one of the lower performing schools on state testing.

So choose based on which environment YOU think is the best match for your child's needs and personality.

Answer 10

Personally, I'd choose the montessori. I think parents would/should have the greatest responsibility in character building.

Answer 11

The mother,the father& next the teacher.

Answer 12

Well, academic excellence if you have morals, otherwise switch it around immediately!

Answer 13

personaly i would go for the montessori school.  but dont count on your childs school, friends and teachers to develop his/her personality, your devoted time and love for your child will play i big role in this!

Answer 14

christian based school does not = good character. alot of christian school students are known for doing many different types of illegal drugs, because most students come from wealthy families since christian shcools are private schools, so they can afford the drugs and your child may be influenced by these kids....well...that is if its a christian highschool... elementary i wouldn't worry about drugs lol...anyways...as a parent good character is your job to teach, and academics are the school's job, so choose the academically excellent school i'd say.

Answer 15

Good character, by far.

Best of luck.

Answer 16

Definately   montessori, then they can have the intellegence to decide for themselves.

Answer 17

being an early childhood teacher I can say I have a very cynical view about monetssori teaching methods.  They were developed in the war era from Maria montessori, who developed her ideas whilst working in a mental institution.

Although Montessori schools may have higher academic results, I believe they firmly interfere with a 'normal childhood'.  Children are taught to do activities in a specific way.  If this is the case then they only are able to look at problems from one angle.

I visited a Montessori school earlier in my studies and the first thing I noticed was how incredibly quiet and un-childlike the centre was.  Every child was quietly engaging in an activity and there was little social interactions between peers occuring.

Only choose the Christian based school if you are Christian yourself, or agree with the schools policies and programmes.  The religion of the school will not make as huage an impact on their learning as people suspect.  I went to both a Catholic and  public primary school as a child and neither was better than the other.  The only difference was that I was also taught religious education in the catholic school, so if that is of importance for you then send your children to the christian based school.  Otherwise, public educaiton has its merits as well.

Sorry for the really long reply.

Answer 18

None of the above. Choose homeschooling. Then you get both character and excellence.

But if you must choose, character is what matters most.

Answer 19

Good character is most important but as like everything else- what defines good character to you may not define it for me.  In my opinion good character had NOTHING to do with a chrisitan school.  It has to do with the values and morals my husband and I teach the kids on a daily basis which includes: respecting others, having consequences to certain behaviors, building problem-solving skills, teaching the value of hard work, and loving one another in good times and bad (just to name a few).

Academic Excellence is important but my kids are 6, 3, and 8 months so right now it's important that they actually build social competence and spend time just PLAYING and EXPLORING interests. The rest will fall into place if they have a solid foundation at home.

Answer 20

good character. chhose christian based school cause they will learn and have good morals. montessori will be like putting your child in boot camp. this comes from my girlfriend a pre-school teacher.