Have at it parents. Lets discuss the Pros and Cons of private school vs Public school.
Particularly in the USA.
My younger son is headed for PreK this Sept. The older son is in 1st grade and just generally having trouble with school. I don’t like his school much either. I’m thinking of putting them both in private school.
Narrowed it down to two school choices:
One is an Islamic School - recognized by the state. I have neighbors who sent they’re kids there and the children are well behaved and very smart. I feel like this will almost be like two birds with one stone. ATM we pay extra for Islamic school which crams a weeks worth of lessons into one day. Added pressure for the kids and parents.
The other option is a location Catholic school which also comes very highly recommended.
The cost of both school is around 850/900 month with both students.
I really depends on what public school district you are in ? Our public schools are among the top in the country, and we pay more in taxes to support public school education than we would for private school tuition.
I feel that public schools prepare you better for real world, whereas with private school you are living in a make believe cocoon. This might give rise to false expectations later in life. Just my 2 cents. I don't see the added value in private schools.
I live in NYC and its the largest school system in the country. I had a very tough time narrowing down school for my son. There are hundreds of options in every district. My son is 3 but he goes to private Catholic school. I absolutely love his school. His school is one of the few that offer proper schooling at 3 ( its not a daycare or an early learning center). I don't know where you live but finding the right school is one of the toughest thing specially living in NYC. You can actually go to any school in or out of your district, this makes it harder.
In regards to Islamic schools, I love the idea but I am always doubtful of qualification of the teachers. And some schools have made kids very anti western society. My nephew used to go to one where they used to call Halloween, shaitan ka din... Ekkk. Its okay to not celebrate it but putting all of that negativity in a kid's head, I don't agree with.
Ultimately its wise to live in a good area where the public schools are good. Research research research, visit schools. I am very very big on good education, environment from day one. If the foundation is strong, they won't struggle later on.
I would tend to agree with Mr. Sparrow here. I have a very good friend who has paid $15,000-$20,000 a year for her child to go to a private Episcopal school and I see now difference in his education or grades compared to my son of the same age who goes to a top rated public school district. As far as Islamic private schools go, there is only one in my vicinity I would even consider sending my children too..it's a top, elite private school with an excellent academic and religious program, but again, it's about $20,000 a year, and with 3 kids, I can't afford that. I've been satisfied with the religious and Quranic classes my kids attend through our masjid.
I think at the end of the day there is no right or wrong answer to this. Do what you feel is best for your children and your circumstances.
The current public school he goes to is a Blue ribbon school - the best there is in NJ.
But I think personally my kid learns differently and the environment is not very conducive to his personal growth.
My hesitation towards private school is because of the cacoon effect mentioned above.
My hesitation towards private school is because of the cacoon effect mentioned above.
I think diversity and learning how to deal with all types of classmates from every background and religion is very important..another reason why I chose not to send my kids to Islamic school...I wanted them to be able to hold there own in the regular world and get to know appreciate others.
Have you thought about doing a district transfer to another public elementary school within your district?
Depending on what issues he's having, that might be a viable option. From what I know about private parochial schools, they tend to be more strict and formal, is that what you feel his current school is lacking?
Agree with khatti. Do what suits you best. Speaking from my own experience, very few public schools are good in NY. Unless you live in top notch areas like bayside, floral park, Lynbrook, its difficult to say a public school would be good in any other areas. Living in a top area would mean spending a fortune here. Thousands or even millions of dollars in housing. Every city, state and district works differently. Do what you think is best and works for your city/district.
The current public school he goes to is a Blue ribbon school - the best there is in NJ.
But I think personally my kid learns differently and the environment is not very conducive to his personal growth.
My hesitation towards private school is because of the cacoon effect mentioned above.
Here in the UK the coccoon effect is often countered by the parents transferring the kids to the public (state) side for the last couple of years before uni, when it becomes really important for them to become used to a "normal" environment.. I went to private schools till I was 16 and that's what happened to me and the vast majority of girls I went to school with.. The main advantage of private was much smaller class sizes.. As someone who experienced both sides private was a better fit for me personally.. the extra attention and guidance was something I really missed..
I think I've decided.
My child needs more one on one attention and he's just not getting that in a public school with 24 other students in class.
We're going to finish out this year and start the next school year in a Private school.
Worse case scenario - he doesn't like it better there and in that case we have the option of bringing him back or not.
I'll never know if he'll thrive in the other place if I don't give it a shot. We know he's struggling with this school - it can't hurt to try something else.
I think I need to write a vent blog with some choice words for his current school.
I think I've decided.
My child needs more one on one attention and he's just not getting that in a public school with 24 other students in class.
We're going to finish out this year and start the next school year in a Private school.
Worse case scenario - he doesn't like it better there and in that case we have the option of bringing him back or not.
I'll never know if he'll thrive in the other place if I don't give it a shot. We know he's struggling with this school - it can't hurt to try something else.
I think I need to write a vent blog with some choice words for his current school.
Have you tried working with him at home? I don't mean to put you on the spot but one can put their child in the best private school out there but if you don't personally sit with your child everyday and go over his school work, he is likely to face the same issues in private school. Schools and teachers are definitely important but the home environment is also very crucial to a child's academic success. I think it's important to look over a child's homework and lessons up till high school. By high school they have enough sense to seek extra help from their teacher if they are struggling with a subject.
Oh and if you want one to one interaction maybe getting a private tutor can help
as well. A good tutor can identify his strengths and weaknesses and help him tackle his weak points.
Personally I'm all about public schools in excellent school districts because I've seen enough examples to convince me that private schools aren't a sure shot way to success or getting into a great college. I just think if my child can get the same education and experience for free, why on earth would I pay 15K? I'd rather save that money for a good college or other activities/vacations.
For some parents, the private school option is about giving their children the right tools to become self-starters when it comes to learning. Ultimately, all good-district schools (that are highly ranked in state) and private schools even out in terms of the quality of the academic experience. But before a child gets there, it's about a child being taught or given the core skills for "how to learn" and even how to test.
Each child learns differently and what you should look for is that the school (regardless or public or private) can take the time to evaluate your child's learning attributes and weaknesses and will provide individual student oriented teaching. It's not about hand-holding a child but recognizing that each child is different and giving the child the skills and tricks to learn. The reality is that most often, that means a smaller class size and differentiated teaching methods and testing - which are usually more available in the private school experience.
Once your child knows how to learn, you can always transfer them back to public school, but private school is not inherently elitist or socially inhibiting, especially if that isn't your objective.
Pros n cons to both types of schools. I've attended both types of schools as a student and later as a teacher. So I have both the student and teacher experience. If I had a kid, I'd put him/her in a Muslim school.
My son is somewhat a difficult child. He has a very strong stubborn personality. School made a huge difference... Like tremendous. I don't know if public school would have done the same for him. My son also didn't speak or understand a word of English when he started... and wow now he is the leader if his class. Private school gave him the structure and time he needed. His teachers encouraged him to keep trying and focused on him knowing initially he was having a hard time. I also volunteer in his school and I am super impressed. I went to public school myself. If I was you, I would try private school to see if it makes a difference. And not just any private school but one that's good with less students in his class. My son has 18 students with two teachers and 1 volunteer.
Saadia B I was truly hoping that you would reply!! :)
In the USA?
Sorry dear I am late, just came back from a school visit for my second one sigh
Ok one after another, I did my elementary from a public school in USA, was in a private middle school in Pakistan for 2 years but did my final years here in Europe which was a private catholic school not in the USA.
I liked about the private catholic school, discipline, thats something that is missing in public schools. I went to a public school for 2 days test and was horrified how the puplies behaved with eachother and with teachers, maybe it was a very bad school but it put me so off and here in our catholic school, you had this respect that made it easier for all. We, non catholic were not forced to attend religion classes or attend church, which is really a few times a year.
Now my first one goes to a public school but its a new school and they are more like private school and our area is good also, so depends on where u live. Where as I am not 100% but today I went to a private evangelic family school, I think its not a bad school. This evangelic private school is around 450 Euros with lunch each month twice what I would pay for a public school but it was an old smelly type of conjusted building, if I am paying so much the environment should be a happy freshy type. so thats off the list for my second. She is born on 1 Sept and the deadline for enrolling is 31 August, we are over 1 whole freaking day! so the schools in our destrict are not taking her this year.
From my own experience of private schooling muniya, it was a privilage to go to such a prestige girl only catholic school. It looks good on the CV, it gives the feeling of someone who is open to other religions esp if you are not christian and you have some of the rich kids studing beside you. The girls in my school would be opening the Vienna Opera ball event, that is the social event of the year here. They would take private dance classes and wear designer labels, even I would not be doing these things, it felt good to be with people who encouraged reading good books, were open to others and kind of jetsetting around. They were rich but not rich spoiled girlies.. how it is today I dont know. But as I did go to other schools also public so I knew this is not what the whole world looks like. So thats the reason my first one is going to a public elementary school, which is btw near us and she can walk there, later maybe I would like to send her to a private school as then she needs to focus on studies and not 'other' things.
One draw back that I personally have as I have studies in a private school, I am not able to friend people who are not educated, like ppl here who dont finish school and just land somewhere and have other interests as getting a career. So i think this has to do with my schooling but its not a bad thing, I just dont click with them, btw my boss is also from my school, so thats why we both click...so things to reflect about. What u want them to be in future. of course diversity is good but its not only in public schools even private are diverse.