Catholic School or Public School?

[CJMZ]

I chose Catholic School for my child. I attended parochial school as a child in New York before we moved to Connecticut, where I was enrolled in Public School.
Our school district is very good so I didn't have issues in that regard, and my niece who is the same age as my daughter attends an elementary school that is considered to be the top one in our town, so I do have something to gauge by.
All of the teachers in my daughters school have their Masters and their teaching certificates, the aides are required to have an Associates in teaching. My daughter has 13 children in her class and they have a full-time teacher and a part-time aide. The church also has 6 nuns in residence, 4 of them with teaching degrees, 2 from Columbia University - one of the nuns assists those with reading and math problems, the other is in charge of a gifted program All of the nuns help with religion classes which is 45 minutes a day. All of these things were taken into consideration when I picked the school.
As far as the academics, I can say that the average reading level for my daughters 2nd grade class is 5th grade, and most at that comprehension level. The math is something that my nephew did last year in 4th grade, so they are definately not slacking. All of the students had to take and pass an entrance exam to get admittance to the school.
Other than the academics, there are many other things that made me choose this school.
Safety - I can say that I feel safer with my child at this school because of the safety precautions in place before you are allowed to enter. The public schools do not have that, the doors are open at all times so that anyone can walk in at anytime.
Class Size - For each grade there is a maximum of 25 children, almost all classes have an aide assigned to them, the smaller classes share aides.
Small, close-knit school community - I know all of the children in her class, both parents by name and their siblings. The parents are very active in the school and it shows.
Discipline - Children are taught to respect their teachers and peers, and it is enforced. Bad behaivor is not tolerated - neither is bullying. The children are also taught to accept everyone and tolerate of others who may nbot be the same.
Although there are many private schools in my area especially in the more exclusive parts of my county, the tuition is more than I can afford - $12,000-$25,000 per year per child compared to the $3600.00 I pay.
I can't say I would like them any better because they cost more. I just know the school we choose is right for our family.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Believe it or not--the school at our church..had a bullying problem for a year or two. I was a bit shocked when I heard from someone whose child was a victim yet it was being ignored.


Also--kids can still learn cuss words and I am sure other things at a Catholic school. My daughter's God mother was upset when her girls came home with some interesting things to say.

They have a nun in charge now that the parents call "Sister git 'er done" b/c she came in like gangbusters to clean up the place, make it more efficient, and make the place more "holy" than it was. (We are "Holy Name of Jesus" parish).

oh i believe it!! at the Catholic School i went to there was so much favoritism it was sick. i remember my best friend and i trying to get on the "varsity" cheerleading team and we were the only two who tried out, who didn't make it. but all the "popular kids" who's parents had lots of $$$$ seemed to still make it, despite how better or worse they were than us.

lol at the "Sister git 'er done". i'm glad someone went in there and fixed things. they need more teachers like that EVERYWHERE if you ask me

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

- Actually by taking the fashion factor out, and replacing it with uniforms, kids that can't afford what ever the latest style is are able to show their individuality and develop their character better. Students are encouraged to focus on a persons true individuality and not the clothes (which aren't even skin deep- and have nothing to do with a person themself) I am all for uniforms in public schools and wish they would start it in my district.....being a tween is hard enough, but my daughter has so much pressure on top of it to look cool every day....this morning she was in tears because I made her wear a hat, and it wasn't cool enough.

my vote is against the uniforms. i was one of the kids in high school that didn't follow the "latest trends" at all. i did my own thing, and loved the fact that i could do that. at the catholic school, if your hair was sticking up wrong, it was detention for you!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I think the Catholic schools have changed a lot over the years. I know my best friend was taked out of public school in 2nd grade and put into catholic school for a year. After that year it took her years of therapy to get over what the nuns do to those kids in the classrooms (wacking with rulers, humiliation etc)....Her therapist told her parents to get her out of catholic school and put her back into public school! I am sure that they are not allowed to do that as drastic as they did years ago in the catholic schools though.

Oh and the best one, my friend had 3 daughters in catholic school many years ago, she was getting divorced because of an abusive husband and they told her that if she got divorced then the kids couldn't go to catholic school there! I guess they would rather have her stay with the abusive husband!!!

the punishment isn't as physically severe, but it's still mentally severe. i remember not understanding a question in math class and the teacher called on me to answer and i told her "i didn't do it"......"well WHY not!?" ....."because i didn't understand it"........."OHH! CLASS! *snickers* KRISTY HERE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION, SO SHE FIGURED SHE WOULDN'T DO IT AND GET AN 'F' FOR THE DAY!".....seriously.....uncalled for.


yeah the schools are real weird with the parents and divorces too. i've heard that on many occations that parents had to take their kids out of the schools because they were getting a divorce and the church didn't like that. sad, really.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I just remembered something. There is a private Christian school in my area where some of my acquaintances have sent their kids. It's pretty highly regarded, but these acquaintances say they really spend the majority of the school day studying the Bible. They get very little classroom instruction on regular school subjects and learn most of it through homework. They are spending so much time on homework each day that they have very little time for playing with friends, or for other organized activities like sports, scouts, music, etc.

Some of these parents love it this way, others have hated it and pulled their kids out of the school.

I'm not saying all religious schools are like this, I have no idea. I'm also not saying it's good or bad, just that it's one thing for parents to consider when choosing a school.

Good luck on your decision, Kim.

i remember those days! 4 hours of homework, PLUS studying.. blech!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

So true. Can you say "pedophile priests?" And the two biggest conservative Christian schools in my town have had their share of entertaining headline news, when the headmaster of one was found snorting coke in the parking lot, and the principal of another was arrested soliciting hookers.

There are drugs readily available at the local Catholic schools where my sisters teach, no different than the public schools. I think the parents just like to keep their heads in the sand.

i'll never forget going to the Youth Organization one afternoon to see the preist playing basketball with all of the girls with his shirt off

a year later he ended up leaving the Preisthood to get married. it actually turned me off from the whole Catholic thing.

 

[my4kids]

the punishment isn't as physically severe, but it's still mentally severe. i remember not understanding a question in math class and the teacher called on me to answer and i told her "i didn't do it"......"well WHY not!?" ....."because i didn't understand it"........."OHH! CLASS! *snickers* KRISTY HERE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION, SO SHE FIGURED SHE WOULDN'T DO IT AND GET AN 'F' FOR THE DAY!".....seriously.....uncalled for.


yeah the schools are real weird with the parents and divorces too. i've heard that on many occations that parents had to take their kids out of the schools because they were getting a divorce and the church didn't like that. sad, really.

Even though I voted puplic, based on my neighborhood schools, I just need to remind you that abusive a$$ J$%& teachers can be at any school. They can go undetected for years since their is never a supervisor in the class with them, no one is inclined to believe the student, and especially in public schools with tenure and unions, it next to impossible to fire them. I went to public school my whole life, and I can't count how many mentally, and verbally abusive teachers I had. My first was in 1st grade. In 10th grade the French teacher was so abusive he screamed in my face for about 10 minutes uninterupted ,red faced 1 inch from my face calling me things like "loser" in front of the whole class , because I did not have my homework. (My family was in a rough spot at the time, we were homeless for a short while and my father was in the hospital, and i didn't really share how desperate my situation was with anyone, because I was embarrassed. (That same teacher was eventually fired about 15 years later - I can't imagine how bad an episode it was over) My DH's high school soccer coach took the team to a strip club (including the 9th graders, and told them it would make them men, and don't tell their parents if they didn't want to get kicked off the team)

So just a reminder - Catholic schools don't have that market cornered.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Even though I voted puplic, based on my neighborhood schools, I just need to remind you that abusive a$$ J$%& teachers can be at any school. They can go undetected for years since their is never a supervisor in the class with them, no one is inclined to believe the student, and especially in public schools with tenure and unions, it next to impossible to fire them. I went to public school my whole life, and I can't count how many mentally, and verbally abusive teachers I had. My first was in 1st grade. In 10th grade the French teacher was so abusive he screamed in my face for about 10 minutes uninterupted ,red faced 1 inch from my face calling me things like "loser" in front of the whole class , because I did not have my homework. (My family was in a rough spot at the time, we were homeless for a short while and my father was in the hospital, and i didn't really share how desperate my situation was with anyone, because I was embarrassed. (That same teacher was eventually fired about 15 years later - I can't imagine how bad an episode it was over) My DH's high school soccer coach took the team to a strip club (including the 9th graders, and told them it would make them men, and don't tell their parents if they didn't want to get kicked off the team)

So just a reminder - Catholic schools don't have that market cornered.

you're absoutly right. my guidance counselor at the public high school i went to, told me that i would never make it in college(college graduate here, thank you!). similar comments were made to friends of mine as well. i really don't know what she's doing now, but i honestly don't care either.

but you're right. teachers and students can be bad no matter where you are in the world and what type of school you go to.

 

[ZPT1022]

i do get a diverse education. I take all AP classes so really i could have any job i want.

but what i really want to do is work in broadcasting. The course i chose to take is a college course, and it will help me when it comes time to get my job. Along with my AP American Lit and my AP french. Really, kids need to be prepared and what i want to do will better prepare me for what i truly want to do. And if i dont get there hey, im fluent in french and know poe like the back of my hand so i could get other jobs.

Good for you for already knowing what you want to do. Don't let anyone else hold you back for being dedicated to what you want. Speaking as an adult who wishes she would have put that much foresight into her education back in high school I say go for it! Knowing what you want to do and already working towards it will look fantastic when you apply to a college that specializes in that field. You sound like you've got a great head on your shoulders, your parents should be proud

 

[schmitty]

i do get a diverse education. I take all AP classes so really i could have any job i want.

but what i really want to do is work in broadcasting. The course i chose to take is a college course, and it will help me when it comes time to get my job. Along with my AP American Lit and my AP french. Really, kids need to be prepared and what i want to do will better prepare me for what i truly want to do. And if i dont get there hey, im fluent in french and know poe like the back of my hand so i could get other jobs.

AP classes don't mean anything. You just get more homework.

 

[shovan]

My story is funny and yet not so funny.

I live in metro New Orleans. Our public schools are not very good. So, being the really good mother I thought I was..... I had to observe classes at the local schools. I decided to observe our local catholic school. Normally the first choice of "better parents" in our area. I also checked out our public schools & several private schools.

The public school classroom was total chaos. The principal was excellent. Most teachers seemed great. But...... The desk weren't even "arranged". Teachers seemed very frazzled. Most children were very very poor, not thier problem but not first choice for my child. I noticed this because it was very cold & most children had no coats or coats with duct tape on them.

I also checked out several private schools. The most impressive was close by & everything was just perfect. They had a riding stable, theatre was fabulous & drama was a regular class. Lunch was served "family style' by teachers! This school looked really fabulous!

I also observed a class at OUR CHURCH'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL! Please try to understand this is where we attended church and the school I expected to send our daughter to.

Well, I sat in on a kindergarten class. This teacher had the students doing "art work". The children were cutting out a picture they had colored. While I was sitting in her class, she walked around the children. Her comments to the children were and I quote "Sarah, sit up!, That's looks ugly, you can do better!, What is wrong with you, that is horrible work!" etc. etc.!!!!!

Well, you can guess what school I chose.... of course the private school!

Our daugher who tested in the 99 percentile at a 4 years old! was making very poor grades within the 2nd month of the school year. We had a meeting with the teacher & principal of the private school. The teacher described my child as disrespectul & rude! In the 3 years in nursery school, I didn't have one complaint from a teacher! To make a very long story, shorter, our daughter needed glasses! She had very very bad vision!

The funny part of the story is.. That the year I have my daughter enrolled in the private school, we attend a very large Christmas dinner party. Everyone is discussing thier children, schools, etc.. Of course, I decide to share my experience at our local catholic school! The guy across from us, starts giggling under his breath! I look at his wife and she looks horrified! He whispers to me that the teacher I've just talked very badly about is his sister in law!!!! His wife mumbles to me that her sister his having a very rough time!!!! I am totally horrified!!!!!! Not a great dinner party!!!

My daughter is now 24 years old and a married woman! Guess who's family she married in to!!!!! Yes, the teacher & the lady I insulted at the dinner party are her husband's aunt's!!!! His Dad's sisters!!!!

It turns out that the private school is horrible! I end up sending my daughter to the local catholic school, where the "horrible" teacher (In my mind!) works. My daughter attends school there from 2nd thru 8th grades. We make friends there.......

A couple of weeks ago I attended a bridal shower for my daughter's new sister in law. Guess who I end up chatting with & HAVING A BALL WITH! Yes the teacher & her sister!!!!

I have learned a lot in the years that have passed! Be very very careful about what you say!!!! Also, be extremely careful about your choices concerning your children!

 

[christineann]

I respectfully disagree that "AP classes don't mean anything." They do, especially if you plan to go to college. I have two children, and between the two of the them, we have visited a lot of colleges, both private and public. At the top of the colleges' lists of what to look for in a student is number of AP courses - every college rep said that they want a student who has challenged himself/herself. The credits also help - both my kids were classified as sophomores (# of hours) when they enrolled in college.

 

[kdibattista]

your Catholic priests prefer you send all of your sons to Catholic schools.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I respectfully disagree that "AP classes don't mean anything." They do, especially if you plan to go to college. I have two children, and between the two of the them, we have visited a lot of colleges, both private and public. At the top of the colleges' lists of what to look for in a student is number of AP courses - every college rep said that they want a student who has challenged himself/herself. The credits also help - both my kids were classified as sophomores (# of hours) when they enrolled in college.

That's going to be a major mark against my son when he starts applying to colleges. He attends a Catholic high school which only offers 2 AP classes. The worst public schools in our area manages to offer at least 5-7 AP classes. Many of the best public high schools offer over 10+ AP classes.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

your Catholic priests prefer you send all of your sons to Catholic schools.

oh geesh

 

[schmitty]

I respectfully disagree that "AP classes don't mean anything." They do, especially if you plan to go to college. I have two children, and between the two of the them, we have visited a lot of colleges, both private and public. At the top of the colleges' lists of what to look for in a student is number of AP courses - every college rep said that they want a student who has challenged himself/herself. The credits also help - both my kids were classified as sophomores (# of hours) when they enrolled in college.

AP classes dont mean anything because you dont learn anything different from students taking non AP classes. The only difference is that you get alot more homework with AP classes. A place of employment isn't going to look at your transcript and be like "I see you took AP french in high school as a sophomore so you will get the job"

 

[aprilgail2]

My cousin is looking at colleges right now with her son and the ones they have been to all say they want the kids to have AP courses on their transcripts so they do mean SOMETHING, maybe not to employers but they do help with getting into a college of your childs choice. AP classes here have different text books for some subjects than the regular classes to, so it is not just more homework the kids get.

 

[Beth76]

My cousin is looking at colleges right now with her son and the ones they have been to all say they want the kids to have AP courses on their transcripts so they do mean SOMETHING, maybe not to employers but they do help with getting into a college of your childs choice. AP classes here have different text books for some subjects than the regular classes to, so it is not just more homework the kids get.

Exactly. AP courses are for college not for work. Not only that, but at my school AP courses counted for college credit. So the more AP classes you took in HS the fewer classes you had to take in college.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I don't know if things have changed since the late '80s, but I have a very bad taste in my mouth from the Catholic high school I went to.

My rich grandmother wanted to pay for a "better" education for me than what she supposed the public schools were giving me. She'd heard that kids who go to public schools smoked pot and she didn't want me exposed to that. Understandable.

Sooo, I got on the waiting list about three years before I was supposed to enter nineth grade and was able to attend one of south Florida's "Schools of Excellence" . . . after a hefty donation to the parish in addition to tuition.

Well, I'll tell you, poor kids who go to the public schools can afford pot. The rich kids at the Catholic school can afford cocaine. And lots of it. I was exposed to and offered coke every day I went to that school.

Another thing that really bothered me was the whole "punishment" thing. In public school, if you do something wrong, you get a detention, maybe sent to the principal's office, a call to parents, suspension or something -- although my mother was beaten severely by nuns in the '60s at her schools. She still has scars from what one nun did to her with hot matches. They resemble chicken pox scars.

However, at my high school, if you did something wrong, you were expected to pay a monetary amount, or you wouldn't be able to take your exams. Just seemed to send a message that you can buy yourself out of trouble. Getting caught smoking, for example, was $20. Getting into a fight with another student was $50. Considering what all these kids were paying for eight-balls of coke at that time, $20 or $50 was nothing.

So I'd opt for home schooling, public if your schools are good, moving to another county with better schools or non-religious private schools before I'd ever send a child to a Catholic school. Especially with what's been in the news the last ten years or so with molestation.

 

[kpm76]

AP classes dont mean anything because you dont learn anything different from students taking non AP classes. The only difference is that you get alot more homework with AP classes. A place of employment isn't going to look at your transcript and be like "I see you took AP french in high school as a sophomore so you will get the job"

Ivy League and top tier schools care about AP classes. I did some work in an Admissions Office so I can speak to this first hand. In addition, students who take AP classes display not only academic achievement but other character traits that are appealing to good schools, such as a willingness to take on challenges, a desire to push oneself beyond what is easy and an overall desire to excel.