Public School or Catholic School

[*Fantasia*]

For those who are Catholics..

Would you send your kids to a very good public school and save some money?
OR
Would your rather send your kids to Catholic school, but it would be a tight budget?

 

[*Fantasia*]

sorry.. double post! please disregard this one... or better yet.. moderator if you can.. delete this one.. thanks!

 

[momrek06]

I did it.

Both DS' went to Catholic Elementary. WOW, they taught everything BUT most importantly "HOW TO STUDY"...sounds odd, I don't know but the "study" habits my DS' learned from Catholic school education were INTENSE.

Oldest DS went onto Public high school. WHAT A DIFFERENT WORLD THAT WAS FOR MY DS. He LOVED it. He was in all honors classes based on his transcripts from catholic school. He was involved in everything MUSIC possible. Jazz Band, Marching Band, Concert Band, Chorus, Select Choir, Musicals, Show Choir...he was busy but despite his intense hectic schedule he knew at the end of the day he had work to do and did it and was straight A's and ended up going to college for his Senior year of high school. And this was back in 1999 when few students did/or were accepted into "Dual Enrollment". Now what I wanted to say is he saw soooo many of his friends from high school and from those same music related groups who could have cared less about their school work. DS was selected to be in the National Honor Society first semester of his Junior year and yes he was thrilled but at the same time many of his friends wondered why they weren't selected BUT they also thought a C grade was good enough for them. I attribute the habits taught to my DS' in Catholic school for allot or most of my DS' accomplishments.

My youngest DS went to a Catholic high school. He was also in all honors classes. But I saw a BIG difference in the CURRICULUMS from Public to Catholic. Catholic was GRUELING and INTENSE. I felt bad for the students who had gone from a public school to catholic high school they had the shock of a lifetime with the amount of work given and the amount of daily testing and papers that they wrote and the books that were to be read..INTENSE. DS was also involved in EVERYTHING from music to government (student council) to sports but I will say it again his good solid background in knowing when to STOP, SIT DOWN, GATHER YOUR THOUGHTS and realize you have work to do and has to be done RIGHT comes from his basic early intense Catholic schooling.

Both BS' were accepted at a very prestigous Catholic college here in the Northeast along with fabulous scholarships.

 

[NewJersey]

I went to public school until HS when I went to a Catholic school instead. I went to the catholic HS because it had a much more challenging curriculum that I felt would prepare me for college. If there was a good public school in my town, I would have rather went there. I got a great education from my catholic school but it turned me off to the religion after taking 4 years of religoius classes and having it fed down my throat.

 

[XYSRUS]

Let me say I come from 12 yrs. of Catholic schooling... I started my kids in a Catholic school because that's all I ever knew. Plus, we lived in a school district that wasn't so great. Anyway we decided to move into a great school district, and put the kids in public school. My family couldn't get over it. They thought I was feeding my kids to the wolves...well we have since realized how great a good public school can be...lots of funding for specials...music, art, gifted classes, sports etc...thekids are well behaved-the teachers keep 'em under wraps!...lots more time to learn in the day (my kids go to PSR now and still go to Mass)...more challenging curriculum IMHO(and my kids)...kids are exposed to all sorts of wonderful people who have something to contribute...You are the only one who can decide what's best for your family. Good luck with you decision!

 

[CEDmom]

I'm not Catholic but DD and DH are although we're joining the Episcopal Church in our new town so I don't know what that makes them then . Anyway, I think you're going to be hard pressed to find anyone doubting the decision they made regarding their child's education. Those that picked public school are going to say it's much better and more challenging and the opposite true for those that picked Catholic School.

DH and I considered Catholic school before we decided to move into a great public district. Personally I had a tough time getting past my philosophical differences although I probably would have bit my tongue to get my DD a good education if it came down to that.

 

[sjams]

I, myself attended 12 years of Catholic school. My Dh went 12 years public. I think we both had excellent educations. My kids now both go to Catholic schools. If I had the choice I just might consider public, but in the area we live it isn't an option now. Maybe in a few years, but probably not. The elementary schools are fine, but as you get higher the schools get worse. We decided to go Catholic because of the religion basis. I feel it is more important in the younger grades. I am a stay at home mom so the money is VERY tight, but we make it. We just sacrifice lots of extra's and that is fine with us. To others not going out to dinner or a movie would be a huge sacrifice, but to us it is not big deal. You just do whatever you can to cut back. My mom told me when it was time to decide about where to send DD that "you only have 1 chance at their education research the school by visiting and asking others who attend."
You will make the right decision for your kids. Good luck!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

i went through 12 years of catholic school (70's) and found it to be stern
but sheltered.

my kids go to the public school and never thought about sending to catholic.

I like the variety, special classes, services that are offered.


it's truly up to you.

no one is right or wrong

Good Luck!


but the uniforms are a plus
so much better than enough clothes to wear every day

 

[lemondog]

We are Catholic, and we are sending our DD to Catholic school. However, that is mainly because the public schools around here really are terrible. If we had an excellent school system I have no doubt we would send to public and do CCD for learning Catholicism/the sacraments. With 1 child starting private school it's tough, but doable. I don't know how we'll afford it when all 3 are in school.