Opinions! If you were me, would you send your child to Catholic or public school?

[roliepolieoliefan]

A little background: We used to live in a not so good school district so DH and I sent DS to the Catholic school. He is now in 2nd grade and has been there since "K".

We are currently building a home in a very good school district that will be done in August. I was going to send DS to the Catholic school for 1 more year , finish in 3rd grade and then to public school in 4th. The district we're moving to combines their 2 elementary schools in 4th grade, so I thought it might be an easier transition.

But....now I'm thinking maybe just send him in 3rd grade to the elementary school. There will be multiple 3rd grade rooms, probably about 8, so alot of kids may not know each other anyhow. And maybe the earlier the better.

The $3200.00 could definetly be spent elsewhere . And there are so many petty things going on at the Catholic school now also. We currently have no hot lunch program and I'm really just sick of the "hands out" scenerio. It just seems everytime I turn around the school wants some sort of donation being money or an item for a fundraiser. I've heard through the grapevine alot of other families are pulling out. I love the families and the closeness but DS needs to go to the public school eventually(being we moved primarily to put the kids in a better school system).

DD is just starting pre-school so she's not a concern. DS doesn't have an opinion either way. He probably does and I'm sure he'd rather stay in the Catholic school, he feels safe there. But he knows he has to leave there sometime.

So should we keep him in the Catholic school 1 more year or just move him to the public school in 3rd grade, the earlier the better?

 

[Disney-For-Life]

I went to public school until grade 5 and then attended grade 6-8, and later high school, in the catholic system. For me, there was absolutely no difference. I can't say it was much worse though, so if you are really inclined to have a catholic setting, then I personally think that would be the only incentive.

 

[bradisgoofy]

Both our sons went to Catholic Schools from K to 12. My wife and all her siblings did the same. ( I'm a product of public schools ) My DML was a 5th grade teacher in one of the local Catholic schools for 28 years. I don't care how good a school district the public school is, your children won't get a better education then a Catholic, or any private religious school, education. Why, because of the dedication of the school staff, most of which want to be at that type of school. And to prove it, most private religious school staffs make 1/3 less in wages then public schools. At our local Catholic high school 2/3 of the teachers are alumni ! It will be expensive, but I know the sacrifice will be worth it.

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

I would go with public school if you are moving into a good district. It's what you pay your taxes for and you can be as involved in public schools as private if you so chose. It doesn't appear as if you are determined for your child to have a catholic education, just a great education! If your decision was solelyn faith based, then I don't think that there would be a question, but many schools ARE as good as private schools depending on the area. Best of luck, no matter your decision!

 

[liquid]

I would try the public school for a year. Since it is in a better school district you should expect comparable academics and be free from the hassles at this particular Catholic school.

If the academics are not comparable, or different hassles come up, you will be able to compare them and decide which environment is best for him.

Altough I am a homeschooler, I think that it is really all about the best place for your child to learn and flourish and you may not know till you try the other school!

 

[eliza61]

I agree with Liguid. If it's a good school district give the public schools a try. My sons started out in the Catholic school system (my dh & I are both alumni) but when we discovered he had learning disabilities the public school was able to get him the help and curriculum that the Catholic school just could not afford. He has excelled in the Public school. You won't know until you give it a try. If it's not up to what your standards are, re-enroll him in Catholic school.

 

[gabbysmom04]

my DD is all set to start preschool at a catholic school next year. We planned on all of our kids going there until middle school. But now I am starting to wonder what will be best too!

 

[Lindymom]

As a kid, I moved and changed schools several times and I had a much easier time with the transition when I was younger than I did as I got older. I see your point about transitioning him at a time when the district combines multiple schools anyway, but I would go ahead and make the move sooner rather than later. I changed schools in second grade and again in fourth grade. The second grade transition was no big deal, the fourth grade transition was the worst of my childhood. There's a big difference between how 7-8 year olds treat each other and how they react to a new kid and how 9-10 year olds handle the situation.

 

[Merriwind]

A little background: We used to live in a not so good school district so DH and I sent DS to the Catholic school. He is now in 2nd grade and has been there since "K".

We are currently building a home in a very good school district that will be done in August. I was going to send DS to the Catholic school for 1 more year , finish in 3rd grade and then to public school in 4th. The district we're moving to combines their 2 elementary schools in 4th grade, so I thought it might be an easier transition.

But....now I'm thinking maybe just send him in 3rd grade to the elementary school. There will be multiple 3rd grade rooms, probably about 8, so alot of kids may not know each other anyhow. And maybe the earlier the better.

The $3200.00 could definetly be spent elsewhere . And there are so many petty things going on at the Catholic school now also. We currently have no hot lunch program and I'm really just sick of the "hands out" scenerio. It just seems everytime I turn around the school wants some sort of donation being money or an item for a fundraiser. I've heard through the grapevine alot of other families are pulling out. I love the families and the closeness but DS needs to go to the public school eventually(being we moved primarily to put the kids in a better school system).

DD is just starting pre-school so she's not a concern. DS doesn't have an opinion either way. He probably does and I'm sure he'd rather stay in the Catholic school, he feels safe there. But he knows he has to leave there sometime.

So should we keep him in the Catholic school 1 more year or just move him to the public school in 3rd grade, the earlier the better?

If I am reading your post correctly, your only dilemma is whether to move your DS to public school for the start of 3rd or wait until 4th grade. If your mind is made up that he will definitely be going to public school, I would move him sooner than later. Why have him spend another year developing ties and stronger relationships to a school and people he will definitely be leaving? I would have him spend that year acclimating to the new school, personally.

Plus, in rereading your post, there doesn't seem to be anything you really love about the Catholic school. Change is hard, but the younger they are, the more resiliant.

Good luck!

 

[DawnM]

I would say that if you are planning to send him in a year anyway, go ahead and transition him now.

Dawn

 

[Starr W.]

It depends, our local Catholic School is really crowded and we have an excellent public school system. My 4th grader has never been in a class with more than 23 students, kindergarten he had only 14. The Catholic school runs about 25-26 kids per class even in K.

The local Archbishop has added a new parish for our town/area, which the old one has fought against, so much so that the priest was reassigned. The new parish will probably have a school down the road, but it has gotten rather ugly. Another reason to stay away.

 

[jenseib]

I would go for public as well.
I went to 12 years of Catholic school. I hated the highschool soo much! Our education was way under what the public was as well. I think people are under the impression that catholic gives a better education but that is so untrue! I sent my older two to a Catholic school for a few years. My Ds went from 3rd to 5th and he has learning diabilites and ADHD. His one teacher had never even heard of ADHD!! And had no clue how to go about things. he would be sent out to the "van" for special services, but in the mean time he was missing other class that he was expected to make up! Hello the kid is having problems as it is, how can he make up woek he wasn't there to learn????
So I switched him.
My DD decided to swtich at 6th grade as well. She went from K-6. She is doing better at her public school in all ways. Alot of girls were so petty at the catholic school, and she has so many nice friends now.
I must say too, if your doing it for faith reasons and your child doesn't enjoy it, it may backfire anyways. Like I said I went to 12 years and so did my cousins. I DO not go to church and don't consider my self Catholic anymore. I disagree with the church in soooo many ways. Out of 5 cousins that went to 12 years, only 2 are still Catholic, and one doesn't do church. The other has gone the other way and speaks in tongues, etc.... VERY religious. The rest changed religions.
OK, sorry, I got bit off subject! LOL!
I would say definately switch him now, since he will definately be leaving anyways.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

I don't think this is a matter of public vs catholic school rather than a timing issue. Since you intend to send him to the public school for the 4th grade anyway, I would send him for the 3rd. At least then he will meet a few more kids so whn the schools are combined in the 4th, he has some friends already.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Since you are only talking about one more year I would just put him into the public school now and take the family to WDW as the "reward".

 

[shelli132]

We have been in the same situation. Our DD attended a Catholic School from preschool through 2nd grade. We were really concerned about making the switch to public school. I agree that it is easier to make the switch at a younger age. Our DD had no problems being the "new girl". The transition was a smooth one and I'm so glad we switched when we did. I can't imagine her changing schools now at 11. She would be devastated to have to leave her friends and start over at a new school! I sympathize with your comment about the "hands out" situation. It seemed like everytime we turned around we were being asked for money for something. It has been nice to have a break from that as well as not shelling out lots of money for tuition! We are fortunate that our daughter is in a good school district and I was surprised to notice that the public school was actually a little further along in their curriculum than the Catholic School was. She had to catch up a little but it's been smooth sailing ever since. She's a high honors girl!

Wishing you the best.

 

[bluesaturn]

I would go for public as well.
I went to 12 years of Catholic school. I hated the highschool soo much! Our education was way under what the public was as well. I think people are under the impression that catholic gives a better education but that is so untrue! I sent my older two to a Catholic school for a few years. My Ds went from 3rd to 5th and he has learning diabilites and ADHD. His one teacher had never even heard of ADHD!! And had no clue how to go about things. he would be sent out to the "van" for special services, but in the mean time he was missing other class that he was expected to make up! Hello the kid is having problems as it is, how can he make up woek he wasn't there to learn????
So I switched him.
My DD decided to swtich at 6th grade as well. She went from K-6. She is doing better at her public school in all ways. Alot of girls were so petty at the catholic school, and she has so many nice friends now.
I must say too, if your doing it for faith reasons and your child doesn't enjoy it, it may backfire anyways. Like I said I went to 12 years and so did my cousins. I DO not go to church and don't consider my self Catholic anymore. I disagree with the church in soooo many ways. Out of 5 cousins that went to 12 years, only 2 are still Catholic, and one doesn't do church. The other has gone the other way and speaks in tongues, etc.... VERY religious. The rest changed religions.
OK, sorry, I got bit off subject! LOL!
I would say definately switch him now, since he will definately be leaving anyways.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. It really does depend on the school and the environment though. In some places Catholic schools are better, in some places public schools are better.

 

[amykathleen2005]

Not saying this to offend anyone here....

I have gone to public school all of my life. Later in high school when many of the Catholice school kids decided to transfer the pulic school kids had the advantage. The public school has so much more to offer and in my opinion turn out better- more rounded students. Of the top ten students in my graduating class, all of them had gone to public schools all of their lives despite their being a huge population of students who started off in the "better" Catholic schools. In addition, I have noticed that the people more likely to stick to their morals etc. are from the public schools as well. Many, many of the girls at least from the Cathoic schools in the area were out partying and having sex much more so than the people from the public school.

 

[jenseib]

Not saying this to offend anyone here....

I have gone to public school all of my life. Later in high school when many of the Catholice school kids decided to transfer the pulic school kids had the advantage. The public school has so much more to offer and in my opinion turn out better- more rounded students. Of the top ten students in my graduating class, all of them had gone to public schools all of their lives despite their being a huge population of students who started off in the "better" Catholic schools. In addition, I have noticed that the people more likely to stick to their morals etc. are from the public schools as well. Many, many of the girls at least from the Cathoic schools in the area were out partying and having sex much more so than the people from the public school.

I totally agree wit hyou. I ended up being Pregnant at 19 and got married and divorce in 2 years! Went on to have another child out of wedlock (no marriage that time) I'm not blaming my catholic school for that, but I am just saying you aren't "morallly" better going to one either! LOL!

 

[Tinkerbell2002]

Like many others, I would change his school this year coming up and save some money.

 

[bluesaturn]

Not saying this to offend anyone here....

I have gone to public school all of my life. Later in high school when many of the Catholice school kids decided to transfer the pulic school kids had the advantage. The public school has so much more to offer and in my opinion turn out better- more rounded students. Of the top ten students in my graduating class, all of them had gone to public schools all of their lives despite their being a huge population of students who started off in the "better" Catholic schools. In addition, I have noticed that the people more likely to stick to their morals etc. are from the public schools as well. Many, many of the girls at least from the Cathoic schools in the area were out partying and having sex much more so than the people from the public school.

Again, I think it just depends on when and where. Which particular school, and the environment in which the school is in. And sometimes it depends on the kids too. Some do great in public school, others do better in private school.