Public school vs. private school

[TXHokie]

Wife and I bought our house when we didn't have kids so school was not top of our list. Now that we have kids and soon will be sending them to school, turns out our school district isn't all that great. We're debating on whether to send them to private school or move to a better school district. Either way, there will be the added expense of paying for private school or paying for house in a more expensive neighborhood with the better schools.
I'm just curious if anyone have experience with private school and think it's worth it. I'm a product of public school system and found that I kinda breezed thru it and it didn't prepare me for college at all (even tho I took the AP classes). Just want the best for my kids.

 

[moshquerade]

private/parochial school

 

[Queasy]

Private or homeschool

 

[Lola]

i loved going to a parochial school. I went to a catholic school from K-5th grade... then i was put in public school because of family reasons... when i did move, i found that i was quite far ahead in many subjects...
the enviroment was wonderful... small classes and to be honest, wearing a uniform was a no brainer of what to wear each day.

 

[tfinch2]

Move to better neighborhood with a better public school district. I'm sure you and your kids would like to get out of the ghetto.

 

[geecee]

Public school here, all the way until college. Of course, it was the NYC public school system so it was halfway decent and I went to one of the specialized city high schools. I had the same dilemna with my kids. We decided to move to an area with an excellent public school system. Thus far, I am unimpressed by it.

EDIT: My kid is pretty far ahead of the other kids in the class and somewhat bored. We discussed this with the teacher and the principal, and while they both were very nice about it, ultimately their opinion was that "All the kids will catch up with each other by 3rd grade". In the meantime, we should just try to keep our child challenged at home. My initial response to that is "Why the hell do we send her to school then?" <sarcasm>Maybe I should deduct my portion of the taxes that go to the school budget and just do home school then.</sarcasm>

 

[J0hnny]

Good parenting along with public school is what makes the difference. Of course, you still have to make sure that your kids don't hang in the wrong crowds. If you instill a certain set of values in them, I strongly believe that no amount of peer pressure would push them beyond your teachings.

 

[Pepsei]

not public for sure...

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
Good parenting along with public school is what makes the difference. Of course, you still have to make sure that your kids don't hang in the wrong crowds. If you instill a certain set of values in them, I strongly believe that no amount of peer pressure would push them beyond your teachings.

:thumbsup: You can make up for a sub-par school.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
private/parochial school

agreed. though religion classes sucked in catholic school and now i'm pretty cynical about religion in general.

 

[RapidSnail]

It's extremely difficult for parents to limit what their children are exposed to in school. I know in my district the public school is horrible. Too much drugs and fighting going on. I would recommend you spend money for a quality private school or, if your wife is up to it, homeschool. I came out of homeschooling just fine. I didn't not have friends because I was homeschooled. In fact, I knew quite a few kids from my local high school that I hung out with. I also felt that the academics were far superior to what was in the public school. I don't know about private schools as I've never been to one, but I'm sure there are some great ones out there. Just talk with your wife about her capabilities. If she's not able to homeschool, then send them to a private school. I recommend you take the time to think this over as your children's education is of the utmost importance.

 

[Jzero]

There's good public schools and there's bad private schools. Really the key is just picking a good school whether it's moving to a nicer public school district or staying where you are and paying for a good private school.

One thing to keep in mind is that private schools often don't have the resources to deal with kids at the ends of the spectrum of intelligence, so if you have a special needs child or a gifted child, your average Catholic school may not be able to help as much as a public school.

 

[Evander]

Private tutor is another option.

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: Evander
Private tutor is another option.

I would imagine that would be more expensive than a private school.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I spent grades 1-2 in private, 3-5 in public, and 6-12 in private again.

I am a total believer in private schools...or any non-government schools. Best investment you and your wife can make is your child's education. EVERYTHING else is secondary.

 

[SZLiao214]

How much of a financial toll will this take? If you have a lot of money to use then it will probably be well worth it. If you dont then the difference in quality may not justify the cost even if it is for the best of your kids. No kids here so my thoughts might not matter as much.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: TXHokie
Wife and I bought our house when we didn't have kids so school was not top of our list. Now that we have kids and soon will be sending them to school, turns out our school district isn't all that great. We're debating on whether to send them to private school or move to a better school district. Either way, there will be the added expense of paying for private school or paying for house in a more expensive neighborhood with the better schools.
I'm just curious if anyone have experience with private school and think it's worth it. I'm a product of public school system and found that I kinda breezed thru it and it didn't prepare me for college at all (even tho I took the AP classes). Just want the best for my kids.

I went to private school as a kid. If you find a good one, it is definitely a better education.

But living standards as a whole would probably be better if you moved, for your kids and both of you. Plus, you might want to sell and buy before the market becomes inflated. Real Estate on the East and West coast are starting to become inflated.

 

[PingSpike]

Here's what I would do:

I'd move to a better school district and put my kids in public school. That way I'm not paying taxes for a sh|tty school my kids don't even use AND tuition to a private school. Plus, I get a bigger better house in a likely nicer neighborhood.

There aren't really any bad public schools around here, so its its sort of a forgone conclusion that I'm going to put my kids in public school. Ideally, I hope my wife and I have time and energy to offer them additional challenges while at home as well.

 

[markgm]

I went to a small town public school and I'm glad I did.

Edit: I took AP classes, went to a private university, and now have a great job. No matter what kind of school people pick, no one should expect the teachers to raise their children. I believe parents have a lot more to teach kids than a school ever would. You only get so far knowing that 1+1=2, it's the skills that aren't in books that allow people to succeed.

 

[JasonE4]

Originally posted by: markgm
I went to a small town public school and I'm glad I did.

I also went to a small town public school and had a blast. Even though I lived in a wealthy town, most of the kids who went to the public school weren't stuck up. I got a good education and didn't have to deal with the private school bs. I'm breezing through college right now, although it's certainly not the best university.

 

[Gcode061]

From my experience is Private school is sheltered yes.. But they are too sheltered when they grow up they make up for lost time and just become party animals or drug addicts ... now i Know this is not always the case but from what i have seen it is. I think that the public school is going down the crapper too BUT it is real life anything goes if you will... you have to teach your kids to deal with it. your going to make them soft and unprepared when they are out of highschool. if you cant manuver around drug abuse and teen pregnacy your GOLDEN!!

 

[everman]

<--- went to private shcool, has a sibling who is in public.

There's a vast difference between the two. The private school is much more rigorous, normal classes are like honors classes in the public school. Far better education.

You need to make the comparison between your own local options, but this is how it worked out for me. You want your kids to have the best education possible.

 

[rocadelpunk]

I went to a private school from k-12. I would not have wanted it any other way.

Education wise
Friendship wise
Closeknit community wise

I plan to go back to my second home and teach there.


A con would be the ability to retire much sooner w/public school : P

---

From what my teachers told me, an average/smart highschool kid will be around a year behind an average private school student...but after that first year things will be level again.

From what I've found, my ability to write/reading comprehension was/is far and above any public school student, and I am a math/science guy.

 

[Gibson486]

I went to a private school all my life. In the end, i really do not care that i did. Private schools have limited funds. That is what sucks. However, the classes are usually smaller and they do not tolerate things that public schools have. It's a matter of what you think is best. If you live in a city like newton, Ma, you owuld be stupid to send your kid to a private school. It really depends on where you live and how well you motivate your child.

 

[Tommouse]

I would say public as well unless the system is utterly horrible. I am a product of public schools and now in a private university and the change was quite easy. I was in honors/college prep classes in high schools, and 1 AP course, so I'm no genius, but the system did its job.
My school system was not perfect at all. One of our health/sex ed teachers was a coke user, ended up going to court. Then in Middle school one of the gym teachers would flirt with all the wom-? girls. There were drugs o? plenty and the usual stuff you find in all high schools.
I was thinking about a private high school but went there and took a tour and didn't like the "I am better than you" attitude I was feeling. Not saying all private high schools are like that, but that was my experience.
Overall, I?m not a dropout (although there were plenty of those) and the system achieved its objective of K-12 education and an easy transition into college.