OT: Anyone with kids in private school?

[snickerboo]

I know it's quite expensive but I'm seriously considering it. Any feedback on private school vs public?

 

[yyzgurl]

I have a feeling that this thread will open a can of worms! It's very hard to compare the public and private school system, especially without knowing what are you live in. Public schools vary greatly. Some are awful and some are so good that people are willing to move into the local area so their children can attend them.

As for me, my ds3 attends a private school. He has been in school since he was two. I work from home so I didn't need to send him but I wanted him to socialize with others and to learn at the same time. He was painfully shy and having me around all the time did not help him come out of his shell. Well, a year and a half later he's an extremely social child who talks to everyone and anyone. He is also exeptionally bright, knowing how to read at a grade 2-3 level, doing math at a grade 1-2 level, and is in the process of learning how to write in cursive. He was able to learn all this without any pushing from myself or the teachers. But he is fortunate enough to attend a true Montessori school where there is no limitations to his learning.

My husband was not a believer of private schools but he now agrees that it would be a shame if our son went to public school now. He would be limited in what he could learn as he would have to follow the government cirriculum. Teachers would not have the tools to help him beyond what they are told to teach. They may be able to give him work a little bit ahead of schedule, but certainly it would be limited.

What is most important in deciding on schools is your child. What type of learner is he/she? Is he/she self motivated or needs more direction? Does he/she work better alone or with a group? Every school is not for every child. You should go to each school you are considering and spend some time in the class observing the children and the teachers. Also, it's a good idea to speak with the principal. It will give you a good idea about the school enviornment.

Of course, all this being said, private school is a luxury and we count our blessings that we are able to send him (and soon his sister) to a school of our choice.

 

[drag n' fly]

LOL nice to see how the other half lives. We are public and our kids are thriving and we are happy with it...could it improve....of course... no school is perfect. A decent private school in Calgary is at least 20 thousand a year. Times that by three kids.....OUCH! I would rather save my money for Post secondary. If you have the option to do both...kudos for you!

 

[minnie56]

But our 2 Daughters attended an all girls-private school from the age of 4 until they graduated at 18. They are now 19 (almost 20) and 22.There were ups and downs and things we loved and things we didn't...but all in all, they are well rounded, well educated young ladies and the entire experience was positive for us! Good luck with making the choice. Once we made the decision, we NEVER questioned it again!

 

[GoofyArt]

A comparison would be very difficult to do.

It's not just a potential variety in quality of local public schools, as a previous poster mentioned, that makes comparing hard. There are many different private school options out there and each one compares differently. Some better, some not. A lot depends on your value system and educational goals for your child(ren).

In many cases it's true, private schooling is a luxury. That doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be rich to do it. Private school tuitions vary greatly, and some may not be as expensive as you might think. In the London area I know this is true. I have children enrolled in a private christian school. As you will see in my signature text below, there is now only one income available to pay for this education. But because of the value of the education and the foundation of faith my children are receiving, I am prepared to forego some common items to make it work. For me, this foundation far exceeds what my children would receive in any Sunday School setting and that is important to me. But as I mentioned, it works for MY value system and it doesn't necessarily mean it would work for anyone else.

The main thing when you're evaluating, is to go with your instincts and comfort level. It's hard to go wrong that way! Best of luck to you.

Art