Private schools vs. Pulic. How do you decide what's best?

[princesspumpkin]

I have researched the heck out of the schools in my area. I grew up in a state that offered sooo many private schools (and very good ones), but moved to a state that, although is supposed to have great public schools, I live in an area where the public school is just "ok". There aren't many private schools, other than religious ones, in my area. We sent DD to a private school for 1st and 2nd grade. We found it in one of the area newspapers. After researching it online and finding that their test scores were supposed to be great, that they had very small class sizes and that they were extremely diverse, we chose them. We were very happy with 1st grade, but not as much so with 2nd grade. So for third grade, we once again researched the public school We checked the test scores, class size and spoke with the principal. Even though there are areas that the school could improve (smaller class size, instrumental lessons at an earlier grade level thatn 5th grade), overall we thought that it wasn't so bad. Now for middle school, we are adament that we don't want to send her to the public school and my research has begun again. There is a great Friends school that although expensive, offers so many in and out of class learning experiences. Guess we'll start saving again. For me, class size and previous test scores (taking demographics into consideration) is the most important. I love single sex education for girls and uniforms as well. But, I can't have it all!

 

[golfgal]

Another thing to think about is that one school may be great for one child and horrible for another. We had our kids in the local Catholic school, which is a fantastic school, but it just wasn't right for our oldest. The twins still attend and it is great for them, but our oldest is now in the public schools which have been great for him.

When we moved back to this town when DS13 was in 1st grade, I called the Catholic school before I called a real estate agent to make sure there were openings for him. The top students in the high school when I taught here before DS was born and before a couple job transfers took us out of the area were all from the Catholic school. The middle school in town was a joke and the high school wasn't a whole lot better as far as the administration went. Well, there is an entirely new administration in the public schools, K-12 and what a difference that makes. The middle school is now fantastic with a lot of wonderful teachers and opportunities. I wouldn't hesitate to switch the twins if necessary, but I don't see that there will be a problem with them at the school now.

Things can change a lot and while it is great you are thinking about this now, maybe a fantastic new principal will move into your elementary school and your town will be the vogue town to live in? You just never know.

As for paying for the private school, it sounds like you both work so by the time your kids are in school you will be used to paying for daycare. When the kids start school, your daycare costs will decrease or disappear and then can be transferred to tuition.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

We live in one of the best public school districts in the area. However, being Catholic we wanted the parochial education for our children so they go to our Parish's school. If anything bothers me every now and then about not sending them to the public school, it's when we get that tax bill. We're paying the "high" taxes for being in the good school district and then paying private tuition on top of it.