Poll: Public School Or Catholic School

[scottygirl]

To the OP,

Check with your parish or diocese, there may be financial aide available. I know there is at our school and diocese. I have three kids in Catholic school. Our school consistantly performs at the top of our diocese every year. All the teachers are certified and most of them have Masters degrees. I really like the discipline and uniforms. I have a friend that sent her kids to public school last year and has regretted it. My kids will also go to All-Boy/All-Girl Catholic High School. Now that is a financial sacrafice!! We drive older cars, don't eat out much and don't buy our kids every thing under the sun!! There was a Harvard study done recently that said that private schools outperformed public schools in 11 out of 12 categories.

As far as the cliques go, they are everywhere. Have confidence in yourself and do your own thing, you don't need the clique's approval!!

 

[pammypooh]

We send our DD's to Catholic School. We love it. Yes it does cost, but they are receiving an excellent education that incorporates our faith everyday. Their school is much smaller than the public school, so they are receiving more attention. We may not have the bells and whistles that a public school might offer, but we do offer something that will not be found in a public school Taj Mahal - a Cruxifix in every classroom, morning, lunch and afternoon prayers, daily religion class, and teachers who feel called to teach in a Catholic school and share their faith. I would say to the OP that you need to determine which school best fits your needs for your family. Just because a local public school is considered to be great does not mean that it is the best school....it can never offer the opportunity for faith formation provided by a Catholic (or other faith based school). I feel like we get the best of both - academic excellence and a strong faith based education. Please explore this with your pastor, principal, or anyone else in your parish. If you want your child to attend a Catholic school - there should be a way to make it happen. No child should ever be denied a Catholic education because of a lack of funds. Good luck.

Pam

 

[kpm76]

I am the oldest of four and my parents sent all four of us to Catholic school. It was a huge sacrifice I know since my mom was a SAHM, but it did make a difference and I am forever grateful to my parents for this gift. I believe education is more than just academic; it's spiritual and personal. Catholic schools provide an environment that fosters this growth. Even the best public school can't offer this. I think you have to ask yourself what you want your child to walk away with after they complete their education. If straight A's are all that matter, then a high performing public school might suit your needs. But if you are like my parents and place as much emphasis on conduct, behavior, morals and values, then I think Catholic school is the clear choice. It's a tough decision I am sure but know you will make the right choice to suits your family's needs. Good luck

 

[JoyG]

I recently chose Christian (not catholic) school for my kids.

I have also taught in Christian school as well as public where I teach now.

I didn't think I would be the type of parent who'd send their kids to Christian school...but all that changed when I had kids.

I teach in the public schools and had 5+ years of seniority there before I had the twins. By the time they were ready for kindergarten I'd been teaching in the district for 10 years. I have to live in the city to keep my job, so moving to a better school district was out of the question, and changing jobs after having built up so much seniority is also out of the question.

I know the city schools pretty well and tried to get my kids into the best ones. Unfortuantely the best ones usually have an entrance test or a lottery system, and we didn't pass the entrance tests or get pulled in the lottery.

We were able to pass the entrance test for a private christian school which is where they'll be going this year. It's pricey, even more than catholic schools in the area, but it is worth it to me.

We had to leave the city because:
1. The new math curriculum is unacceptable to me...I teach it and see all the flaws. I don't want my kids to have to go through this for a few years before the district finally realizes what a mistake it was and changes it.
2. My kids are bringing home behaviors and language from school that are not compatable with our standards.
3. Our tires were slashed while dropping the kids off to school one morning, the same day dh witnessed a purse snatching at school.

Some good things about the private school they'll be attending:
1. They learn about our faith everyday. The teachers have ways of explaining it to children that I may never have thought of.
2. It has strict academic standards and is one of the highest ranked private schools in the area.
3. The school facility and grounds are beautiful better than anything in the city, they have a full time librarian and school nurse, neither of which the city kids have.

The things that concern me about private school are the costs (I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with it each year) and I'm beginning to suspect one of my sons might have ADD...I don't know how that will be handled in private school. I know in the city there really isn't much we do about it unless it is affecting the child's grades...then some intervention will take place. So far it isn't affecting his grades, so I'll have to wait and see how this pans out.

 

[Christine]

.
and I'm beginning to suspect one of my sons might have ADD...I don't know how that will be handled in private school. I know in the city there really isn't much we do about it unless it is affecting the child's grades...then some intervention will take place. So far it isn't affecting his grades, so I'll have to wait and see how this pans out.

Both of my kids have ADHD and do wonderfully in private school. With ADHD, you really don't need any special learning programs or adjustments--you really just need them to be placed in environment that is conducive to their learning. What is that environment? Calm, controlled, few distractions. This did not occur in the public school in most of my kids' classrooms. The most that the public school could do for my kids was to put them in the front of the room. What else were they going to do?

My DD did very well in Catholic school, despite her ADHD. She was an A/B student. For her year in public school, her grades slipped to Cs. She says that she cannot concentrate in the classroom because the kids are "acting up" all the time. I have also made the finanical sacrifice and switched her back to private JUST so she can be in an orderly classroom. This will help her inattentiveness immensely.

So, I think you may find that as long as the teacher has good control of the class, your possible-ADD son will still do well.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Fantasia,

I understand the "clique" thing, but I tell you, it's everywhere. I had it at the public school too. It's just the reasons are different. If you don't fit in the with "supermoms" or the "do-it-all moms" it doesn't matter your race, religion, etc. You are just not one of them.

At my son's Catholic elementary school, they are very cliquish. They are not mean or anything, just exclusionary. Most of it for me (or against me) is that I am not a Catholic. These people have spent years together in their church and socializing in other ways that I could never hope to get in with because of my non-Catholic status. Also, most of them are SAHM's and that is another added factor against you if you work.

I will never forget the day I went to my DD's 8th grade awards ceremony. My DH could not attend so I had to go by myself. I walked into that room and sat at a table. No one would sit at my table. After the room filled up, it got kind of weird. They just didn't know me (after 3 freaking years) and they all gravitated towards each other. FINALLY, right before the ceremony one mom took pity on me, came over and said, aren't you XXXX's mom? Why don't you come over and sit with me? I thanked her profusely for being so friendly and we had a nice time.

But, again, this crap happens everywhere.

Yep.. I'm not one of them. I was talking to one "supermom" and in the middle of the conversation, while I was talking, she just walked away without saying excuse me. That was rude.. and she's supposedly be a Catholic?

That same lady with the other two ladies had their hands full.. I asked if they needed any help. They responded with a snobish tone.. "no help needed." So I opened the door for them.. but they took the other door that other mother opened. And they are Catholic? So we were there to help set up a party in class. There were about eight moms there.. and not one spoke to me.. the teacher didn't really say much to me either but to say hi and bye. It really made me feel sad. My daughter was very happy to see me in her class. I was happy to be there and spend some time with her.

I understand your pain.. It hurts sometimes. Thanks for sharing..

To scottygirl and Marie17, regards to financial aid.. Thanks for the suggestion. I looked into that and I do not qualified. That doesn't mean I make enough to send them there. I even looked at financial aid just for hot lunch.. I don't qualify.

The Catholic Church does not discriminate against anyone based on their religion, color, creed, etc. for schooling and employment.

Yes.. but in her case.. it's not even about the CC.. its about those snobish women who makes other mothers feel left out and not wanted. Some mothers are into "cliques." I understand her situation cause I've been there and still there. I tried mingling.. I tried introducing myself. They think I'm an alien from another space or something. I speak well English.. It's not like they can't talk to me and not understand.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Ok.. so I went ahead and enrolled them to PS. It breaks my heart not to see them go to CS.. but it would also break my bank if I don't send them to PS.

Too bad their new school is undergoing a renovation and extending the building. OH.. I mean that's a very good thing.. we just couldn't walk around to check out the school. Good thing that they have new family orientaion on Aug 28 before the school opening. Their first day of school is Sept. 5.

I hope I am doing the right thing here. I may not be the perfect parent.. I always try to do the best I can for the children.

I need to go to the rectory and inquire about enrolling my daughter so she can prepare for her Reconciliation and her First Communion.

 

[basas]

Around here, everyone in our neighborhood seems to go to private (in most cases catholic) schools. Many of the students aren’t even Catholic and many of them are even Jewish, Muslim, or some other religion. Anyway, I would guess the answer to the question would really depend on the public schools in your area…in our area, they’re not that great, and as a result we see hundreds and hundreds of people applying each year to get into private schools (despite tuition fees that keep going up!).

 

[*Fantasia*]

just bumping this up for kdibattista aka Kim. She might want to read some of the post here.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Oh.. btw... They are now back to CS!! (since November started the second quarter) My budget is going to be super tight.. it's the sacrifice I will make. They are happy.. I am happy!