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small private school vs moderate sized public school
- Thread starter cindylou
- Start date
Would you have been upset if you had only 15 kids in your graduating class? How do you think you would have turned out, socially? I think I would have been okay, but I dunno.
Both have advantages/disadvantages. As long as they're able to learn how to socialize with different people outside of that little group away from school hours via sports or other activities, I think the smaller group is a hell of an advantage. Im sure you don't want them being the awkward one's that can't relate/speak/interact with the many different people they're gonna have to interact with when they get outside of school and into the real world as adults.
Cindy, please see my post about not wanting children to be the awkward ones that cant relate/speak/interact with people from different backgrounds and then please do a search of Strongbow. This would be one advantage of public schools and socialization.
digimon7068
New member
can't get your hand held forever.
the single most important aspect of education is the home that the child lives in. do the parents have high standards? do the parents work with the child/children everyday, on a consistent basis?
my kids are wicked smart...my wife made/makes them that way...and they all lead well-balanced lives and are encouraged to have interests outside of pure academia.
Strongbow
New member
Let me say that I think the educational tools used in the public schools are better, but small class size has its advantages, paying for school keeps your kids away from the local rif raf and dopers.Cindy, please see my post about not wanting children to be the awkward ones that cant relate/speak/interact with people from different backgrounds and then please do a search of Strongbow. This would be one advantage of public schools and socialization.
maybe the ghetto rif raf bor, but some of the biggest dopers/dealers that i knew growing up were from upper class families in private schools. I saw a lot of tweed in Highschool, but the coke, acid and heavy shit was coming from the yuppie private schoolers.
Strongbow
New member
Yea, bro, I have to say you are right again. The stiffer shit like coke, costs money, definately more money at the private schools. Just nobody is gonna bring a gun or a knife to my kids school, I drop them off in total confidence that they are safe. Peace of mind goes a long way for me.
True that as well.
+1
That said, I was given the choice of private vs small public. All my friends were in public, so yeah...
I paid for it though in early undergrad big time. I felt like a moron compared to private school grads. Whenever they would bring up novels they had read... I just well, couldn't say a thing.
However, while the education wasn't spectacular in the public setting, my highschool had less than 600 kids. So, yeah, I can't speak for the education system in this area. I'm not sure what it's like in at Central, with like 1000 in each class.
yes, understandable.
check out great schools ratings cindy...I think youd be surprised
where we live now the private school has way better ratings...where we're moving to, the public schools actually have better ratings and you'd be a fool not to send your kids to the public school (paying the tax anyway, and top 10% schools in the nation)
for your little one have you considered montessori? i know that contradicts what I just said but for really small small frys Im not sure anything beats montessori
where we live now the private school has way better ratings...where we're moving to, the public schools actually have better ratings and you'd be a fool not to send your kids to the public school (paying the tax anyway, and top 10% schools in the nation)
for your little one have you considered montessori? i know that contradicts what I just said but for really small small frys Im not sure anything beats montessori
digimon7068
New member
it's easier fot me to say what i said i suppose...my kids elementary school only has 700 students in K thru 6.
my kids are voracious readers...the twins are doing accelerated reader on a 7th grade level and they're only in 4th grade...the 4th grade stuff is kinda silly and boring to them...and, once again, all the credit goes to my wife...she rocks...she's just the best mom i've ever seen
I have to disagree here a little...a get a lot of "home enviroment" speeches about my oldest..whos barely getting by in school and is just unmotivated...I usually point out my middle daughter who is in the same enviroment and actually gets less help...whos a straight A student
I have very high standards with school work but always encourage them to still be kids...
my oldest is way more interested in her "scene points" than she is school...it makes me a little nuts
it's easier fot me to say what i said i suppose...my kids elementary school only has 700 students in K thru 6.
my kids are voracious readers...the twins are doing accelerated reader on a 7th grade level and they're only in 4th grade...the 4th grade stuff is kinda silly and boring to them...and, once again, all the credit goes to my wife...she rocks...she's just the best mom i've ever seen
I'm nagging now.
Your wife feels this.
www.mindsetonline.com
She was in Time magazine for this truth.
greatschools.org
they included SAT scoring ranges as well as other testing ranges like standardized testing etc
plus sometimes have parent reviews
private school in the new area SAT scores are top 10%, public schools top 4%
like i said, its not always readily transparent which is best
they included SAT scoring ranges as well as other testing ranges like standardized testing etc
plus sometimes have parent reviews
private school in the new area SAT scores are top 10%, public schools top 4%
like i said, its not always readily transparent which is best
digimon7068
New member
no two kids are alike...my only point was that, education is what YOU make of it.
interesting story...a friend of mine has three boys, they're all good athletes and the older two were whiz kids all through school...the youngest one always struggled academically...where the other two need very little guidance, he just struggled, just didn't seem to "get it"...well, he just graduated from undergrad with a 3.98 and will be starting med school in the fall.
halfway through his freshman year in college (he was struggling mightily), he went for his annual check-up and told his doctor about some of the problems he'd been having academically, his doc sent him to another doc that did some tests and determined that he had some form of add and put him on ritalin (or one of those drugs)...completely changed his life forever...didn't get less than an A through the rest of his undergrad years...i'm not a big fan of drugs, but sometimes they actually work.
it's easier fot me to say what i said i suppose...my kids elementary school only has 700 students in K thru 6.
my kids are voracious readers...the twins are doing accelerated reader on a 7th grade level and they're only in 4th grade...the 4th grade stuff is kinda silly and boring to them...and, once again, all the credit goes to my wife...she rocks...she's just the best mom i've ever seen
I was the same way. I was ahead of the class all my life. But I made a poor choice about where to go to high school, and this definitely had an impact on my education and life in general.
I was put in the gifted program from grades 3-8. But after that, I chose to go to a high school where all my friends were. I knew ahead of time that it had no gifted program, but that did not matter to me any more. My mom let me make up my own mind. Big mistake.
Long story short, I got really really bored, skipped classes, got into a LOT of trouble, and did not do well at all.
It derailed my life in so many ways. I went from having plans to go to Oxford to taking a long time to get it together enough to take a BA concentration English at the local University here. Big difference.
It's good your wife is so involved. Make sure she stays that way!
you know, its funny you mention that because im convinced my oldest has ADD, the school shes in now..because they don't want to put her in any special classes filled out all the forms to basically say she was a model student..yet all their comments on her report cards SCREAMS ADD...her shrink won't do a trial of medication unless the school says otherwise
It makes me a little nuts..I'm really hoping the new school is a little more willing and attentive to her needs. I know they have a much more diverse curriculum.
digimon7068
New member
my wife teaches middle school math and reading...but, even if she didn't i think my kids would still have had the same experience so far...that's just the way she is...we push our kids, but we don't have unrealistic expectations...and we both believe that fun and downtime is an absolute requirement.
we have a very good catholic school system in our town...and it's very expensive...and there are just as many horror stories there as there are in our public school system.
digimon7068
New member
hang in there...and keep pushing the system, if you don't you'll be forgotten about...and, if you've been through everything else and your child has not been diagnosed or identified as learning-disabled, then it must be something else...keep pushing until you find out what it is...your child with thank you for it...in reality, there are very few kids that aren't capable of proficiency and/or excellence...not every kid is going to be good at every subject, but they all have gifts.
I am not Catholic but went TO Catholic school till 9ths grade
they treated me like shit, but I learned alot, esp discipline
it held me over for 3 years in public High school
When in doubt opt for Private unless you live in a great area where public is good too
Its a shame in thus country when we spend billions on war, but not the same on schools
they treated me like shit, but I learned alot, esp discipline
it held me over for 3 years in public High school
When in doubt opt for Private unless you live in a great area where public is good too
Its a shame in thus country when we spend billions on war, but not the same on schools
bakemeacookie
New member
1) cost
2) your location (south central la vs maine)
3) quality of both schools
4) remember "those who have a choice to send to private or public - always sent to private". Keep that in mind.
c
chris302001
Banned
There were 30 people in my grad class an I'm obviously the coolest guy in this joint
chris302001
Banned
Lol
digimon7068
New member
there were 400 people in mine...and i'm definitely NOT the coolest guy in this (or any other) joint...but i like me...most of the time
chris302001
Banned
there were 400 people in mine...and i'm definitely NOT the coolest guy in this (or any other) joint...but i like me...most of the time
yeah, i guess the people in my town werent especially proliferative in 1982. My brothers class had about 60 people. That was a big class.
No, not if you want to get on the list - plus she can start preK if I want to.
really...5 year waiting list?
Damn...My wife and I have discussed sending out son private school...haven't come to a conclusion but I don't think there is a 5 year waiting list. I should check into it.
billfred
New member
I will give you my experience with my daughter. She went to big private school while overseas but when we moved back, I stuck her in a small Catholic school much like you describe.
It was perfect until she got to the boy stage and then it just got real catty. We moved her to public school at age 15 which was probably 2 yrs too late. I say private school is great until 6th grade but transistion to public school after that UNLESS you can find a big private school.
If there was a private school here with 200+ per class, I would be there in a second.
Well, thats if you want to start in Kindergarden, I might send her preK just so I can go back to work full time.
Yeah especailly you, since you dont live close in a large city - how many private schools are in your area that are not Catholic? I wont send her to a Catholic school that really narrows it down and you have to be accepted, they wont just take your kid because you have $$$$. People fighting to get their kids in
that sucks they dont go all the way to 12
why even bother
Yeah, My son is currently going to a christian preschool. They're very good there.
The only private school in this area is catholic. I'd like to say I wouldn't send my son there because of that, but from my experience when the kids moved from the private into public when they got to 8th grade, they were so much farther ahead education wise than those of us that went to public the entire time.
We do have one, but its a VERY legalistic Baptist private school. That would conflict with our home life - lol
thanks for tip, thats the type of opinions I'm looking for
digimon7068
New member
chris302001
Banned
bwahahaha, i graduated in 1982...ha, ha, ha...ha........ha
Dad?
digimon7068
New member
yes, son??
chris302001
Banned
lol
Ezekiel
New member
We home school all of our 5 children and it has been great for us. we do get our children tested every year, although it is not required. We just do it so we can see were things might be missing etc..
I myself went to a private school from K-12.. wasn't much different the regular public school I think.. Smaller classes, better teachers I think... Better drugs too!
The whole "socialization" myth of home schoolers and private school kids is just that.. a myth... I have met more kids w/ anti-social behavior from public schools then anywhere else.
Having your children learn their social skills from a disfunctional peer group isn't what I would consider ideal.
Aside from the obivous, here are a few things I dislike about public learning:
Your child usually fits into one of two places:
A: They are high achievers, learn easily etc. but will be held back to the lowest common denomanator of the class.. ( the person who struggles the most).. Sure they try to have enrichment programs, but w/ 30 kids to one teacher, not alot is going to happen.
B:Your child doesn't learn the same way as others. Now, this doesn't mean they aren't smart, they just learn differently. However, in a public school system they lack not only the funding, but the desire to help your child out.Instea
I myself went to a private school from K-12.. wasn't much different the regular public school I think.. Smaller classes, better teachers I think... Better drugs too!
The whole "socialization" myth of home schoolers and private school kids is just that.. a myth... I have met more kids w/ anti-social behavior from public schools then anywhere else.
Having your children learn their social skills from a disfunctional peer group isn't what I would consider ideal.
Aside from the obivous, here are a few things I dislike about public learning:
Your child usually fits into one of two places:
A: They are high achievers, learn easily etc. but will be held back to the lowest common denomanator of the class.. ( the person who struggles the most).. Sure they try to have enrichment programs, but w/ 30 kids to one teacher, not alot is going to happen.
B:Your child doesn't learn the same way as others. Now, this doesn't mean they aren't smart, they just learn differently. However, in a public school system they lack not only the funding, but the desire to help your child out.Instea
redshirt27se
New member
Unless you live in a major city, I'd go public school all the way.
I went to public school, and my high school was far better all around (academics, athletics, funding, variety of programs) than the various other private schools in the area. At least around here, public teachers need to be re-certified every so many years. Private schools on the other hand (again, at least around here) don't require certification at all. As far as the social aspect goes, I would say being surrounded by more kids would be beneficial. It's a lot easier for children to form "cliques" when there's so few students.
I did well in school and it paid off as far as getting into a good college and being prepared. I have a lot of friends who went to private school and were not ready at all for secondary education.
I went to public school, and my high school was far better all around (academics, athletics, funding, variety of programs) than the various other private schools in the area. At least around here, public teachers need to be re-certified every so many years. Private schools on the other hand (again, at least around here) don't require certification at all. As far as the social aspect goes, I would say being surrounded by more kids would be beneficial. It's a lot easier for children to form "cliques" when there's so few students.
I did well in school and it paid off as far as getting into a good college and being prepared. I have a lot of friends who went to private school and were not ready at all for secondary education.
redshirt27se
New member
LOL @ that generalization. My high school sent more students to ivy league schools (not me) than the 3 private schools in the area combined.
I generalize the big city public schools of course.
redshirt27se
New member
obviously any school that requires metal detectors is not an ideal place.
afew points here from the husband of a teacher:
1. most private schools do not require certified teachers. just because its private doesnt mean its even close to better than a public school.
2. school is what the parents make of it. if the kids arent pushed, you could have the greatest learning environmnet in private/public school, it wont matter.
3. areas vary greatly, its much easier to research public schools because all teacher/administration credentials are public knowledge. private schools youll have to dig deeper to get hard facts.
4. class size only matters when a student is motivated.
regardless of any excuses people will make, if the parents arent part of the plan, the kid has much less of a chance of success. and being a part of the plan doesnt mean being a nag, it means creating learning situations, making the kids use background knowledge to generalize information from one curriculum to another, and LEARNING the information for real life use - not MEMORIZING to pass a test. if a kid doesnt like school, id have them tested immediately. rule out any neurological/processing issues asap. then, if the kid still wants to fuck off, make it clear college is not an option because you wont pay for a communications degree in a global economy where knowledge is power and that is what is needed to succeed. feel good stories of idiots making big are happening less and less because of corporations running everything.
1. most private schools do not require certified teachers. just because its private doesnt mean its even close to better than a public school.
2. school is what the parents make of it. if the kids arent pushed, you could have the greatest learning environmnet in private/public school, it wont matter.
3. areas vary greatly, its much easier to research public schools because all teacher/administration credentials are public knowledge. private schools youll have to dig deeper to get hard facts.
4. class size only matters when a student is motivated.
regardless of any excuses people will make, if the parents arent part of the plan, the kid has much less of a chance of success. and being a part of the plan doesnt mean being a nag, it means creating learning situations, making the kids use background knowledge to generalize information from one curriculum to another, and LEARNING the information for real life use - not MEMORIZING to pass a test. if a kid doesnt like school, id have them tested immediately. rule out any neurological/processing issues asap. then, if the kid still wants to fuck off, make it clear college is not an option because you wont pay for a communications degree in a global economy where knowledge is power and that is what is needed to succeed. feel good stories of idiots making big are happening less and less because of corporations running everything.
Ezekiel
New member
We have 5 children and we home school. We have them tested every year, although here it is not required. But, better to know what needs working on. Our children have always scored in the 90th percentile for there grades. I don't think they are smarter, I just think they have better opporunities for learning. Who better to teach your children, and understand their needs and cater to the different way ppl learn then a parent.
I know there is a concern w/ socialization, however, I don't find it to be a concern for us at all.. My children take music lessons, and are heavily invovled in sports. Besides, history has shown us that having your children get there social skills from TV and there dysfuntional peer groups usually isn't condusive to positve results. I have met more anti-social ppl from the public education system then any where else. One could argue that there are more ppl in the public school system as well.
Here are a few of my concerns w/ public education.
While not always true, funding is usually an issue. Typically, the best teachers teach at private schools.
here is another issue. If your child has natuarally good retention and learns very easily they will do well and be labeled as "smart", however, they still will be held back academically due to the one teacher devoting time to the lowest common denominator of the class. Or worse, your child doesn't learn the same way as other childern. Now this doesn't make them less smart, it just means they learn differently then others. However, most public schools lack the resources to deal w/ this issue in any reall way. So your child gets labled at a very early age.
Lets face it, nobody quits school because the school work is too hard... Typically, it's for social reasons.
I myself went to a private school from K-12. 15 students to two full time teachers. There was alot of one on one tutoring.
All that being said; All you can do as a parent is "good enough". THere is no magic formula.
I know there is a concern w/ socialization, however, I don't find it to be a concern for us at all.. My children take music lessons, and are heavily invovled in sports. Besides, history has shown us that having your children get there social skills from TV and there dysfuntional peer groups usually isn't condusive to positve results. I have met more anti-social ppl from the public education system then any where else. One could argue that there are more ppl in the public school system as well.
Here are a few of my concerns w/ public education.
While not always true, funding is usually an issue. Typically, the best teachers teach at private schools.
here is another issue. If your child has natuarally good retention and learns very easily they will do well and be labeled as "smart", however, they still will be held back academically due to the one teacher devoting time to the lowest common denominator of the class. Or worse, your child doesn't learn the same way as other childern. Now this doesn't make them less smart, it just means they learn differently then others. However, most public schools lack the resources to deal w/ this issue in any reall way. So your child gets labled at a very early age.
Lets face it, nobody quits school because the school work is too hard... Typically, it's for social reasons.
I myself went to a private school from K-12. 15 students to two full time teachers. There was alot of one on one tutoring.
All that being said; All you can do as a parent is "good enough". THere is no magic formula.
U should read Gladwelll's explanations of how Farming during the ancient Chinese society had much to do with why China excels, and the US sucks at Math.
Explanation is not much longer than your post, and it's intriguing.
i truly believe everyone feels they can teach and run a school better than those in them because they themselves attended school and think, ive been here and it didnt seem that hard. people label education as an easy profession and have no issues labeling teachers as poor or the system as broken, yet they have never stepped foot into a building as an employee.
The ONLY thing that matters is preftige and Ivy/top uni placement. Top privates and public magnets both have advantages.
HTH
Poast your questions on a board that can give moar substantive info, too. I believe College Admissions, Search, and Financial Aid Help from College Confidential has a parent's board.
EDIT: link: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/
EDIT: link: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/
Poast your questions on a board that can give moar substantive info, too. I believe College Admissions, Search, and Financial Aid Help from College Confidential has a parent's board.
EDIT: link: Parents Forum - College Confidential
Thanks - I will search and see if they have opinions there
Cindy - i went to catholic private school my entire life and HATED it....
The teachers at my school were so bad I had to teach myself everything (not all private schools are like this though).
To sum it up, public schools will prepare your kid better for real life. private schools will prepare her better for college.
The teachers at my school were so bad I had to teach myself everything (not all private schools are like this though).
To sum it up, public schools will prepare your kid better for real life. private schools will prepare her better for college.
good point, thanks iggy
Ezekiel
New member
My problem has never been w/ the teachers themselves, but w/ the system behind them. I'm in Canada, but not unlike America, where you live makes a BIG difference in the quality of education you will recieve. That is a fact! Yes there are socio-economic factors as well as many others. There will always be exceptions as well. However, typically like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
While I am not too sure about the States, I can asure you that the school I went to paid there employees quite well. My brother teaches High School Math @ a Private school and makes almost 2 times the amount that a friend of mine makes teaching in the public school system here.
Ezekiel
New member
Did your wife go to a community college or did she pay to go to a private University like most of us did?
Look, I'm not trying to be an ass here... All I am suggesting is that if you the very best for your child you should do some research and try and get them best education that you can. Be it private or Public. If that means you move to get them into a great public school then thats what you do.
Blessings,
youre not being an ass at all, education is a great topic for discussion.
the canada/america difference is one of the factors we are seeing differently. my wife went to private undergrad and 2 private universities for her 2 masters. whats a small house mortgage is education really? shit is costing an arm, leg, and half a torso.
in the states, all public school info is legally public from budget to staff credentials/history. private schools here are not legally required to have any info made public.
alot of people here that i know starting families got their starter homes anywhere they could afford, and when the kids get into school age, they move to the districts with strong school systems.
public school teachers here can make a median of 80k up to 110k, those without masters will top out at 60ish/70k. private schools (not private boarding schools) are in the 30s, if they are lucky. the difference here is immense. also, the state you live in makes a huge difference.
scratches head
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