WWYD-Private vs. Public School

[princessmorgan]

Here's my dilemma. My 4 year old DD currently goes to preschool at a school where my mother works, so she only pays 20% of the tuition. Next year she'll be going to Kindergarten. This school offers a Kindergarten class and with my discount plus supply and registration fee, it will cost about $2500 for the year. Even at the reduced rate, that's still a chunk of change compared to sending her to public school for free. There's nothing wrong with the public schools here, just large class sizes and it's only half a day for 3 hours-which is a quick day to learn something. The private school goes from 8:30-2:30 and I know all the teachers, which makes me more comfortable. Would you pay to send your child to Kindergarten? $2500 is another trip to Disney

 

[skw444]

Our story is similar...our dd was at a preschool that was a private school up to 8th grade. We sent her to the PreK program at the private school. Then when it was time for Kindergarten, we decided to put her in the Transitional Kindergarten class the private school had because her birthday is 3 days from the cut off and we felt she was very young emotionally. We had a great experience at the private school and don't regret paying for the education. However, when she started public school (and we're in a good school district in our area), we've been extremely disappointed with the public school system. She is so far ahead of her classmates and is bored in school and the class sizes are so much bigger. With my dh out of a job, we just can't swing the private school education and we sort of wish we hadn't had the "taste" of the private school.

 

[Darcy03231]

We have free public kindergarten where I live too. I put my son in private. DD went to public and didn't learn much that I could see. I wouldn't hesitate to pay for private and I paid almost double your cost (and that was 10 years ago).

 

[Kit'smommy]

My DS was in a private preschool and will be going to private school next year. Our public schools are good, but the class size is larger than he will have in the school he will be attending. We will be paying a little over $5k.

 

[shirleyb]

If your public schools are good, as you say, put that $2500 in her college fund and she'll thank you someday.

 

[mafibisha]

If your public schools are good, as you say, put that $2500 in her college fund and she'll thank you someday.

This will be the BEST reply you receive. It is right on target.

Start pricing colleges, even State Universities, and you will agree.

You will also be VERY thankful when your DD wants to start college!!!

 

[Kellydelly]

We have free public kindergarten where I live too. I put my son in private. DD went to public and didn't learn much that I could see. I wouldn't hesitate to pay for private and I paid almost double your cost (and that was 10 years ago).

Doesn't everyone have the option of free public kindergarten? My children have both gone to public and learned plenty. I don't know where you live but in MI the students begin to learn to read in Kindergarten, which I think is learning "much." That being said, I would not pay for private kindergarten unless money was not an issue or my school district was horrendous.

 

[buckler]

Find out what the schedule is like for each of the schools. If you factor in lunch, nap time, recess etc. the private school day might not have much more learning time in it vs. the public school time if the public school doesn't include those in their 3 hours.

 

[java]

Public school Kindergarten here and so far he has learned to read and is doing multiplication(not the whole class- he goes to 1st for some math it's his strong area so far)

My oldest went to private Kindergarten- it was full day there. Honestly I think in the 3 hours my younger son is doing he's learning more. He's happy. That's what matters to me.

Are you intending on sending her there for all her elementary years? If not you'll be going through this dilema again next year.

To the one that is disappointed - have you had her tested? Perhaps her "immaturity" from last year is gone and now she is ready to be where she would have been age wise. Perhaps they can bump her up? Or do something similar to our district where she can sit in on certain lessons in the 1st grade. TALK to your teacher. You never know.

 

[mafibisha]

Public school Kindergarten here and so far he has learned to read and is doing multiplication(not the whole class- he goes to 1st for some math it's his strong area so far)

Thats wonderful. I remember feeling equally as proud when ours did the same thing in K and 1st.

It wasn't until later when I noticed, and teachers also told me, that they all catch up evenutally (well the majority will, some exceptions won't).

In other words, the *playing field* is leveled evenutally and MOST of that kind of thing won't matter AT ALL when they get to college.
IF they can AFFORD to go to college!

Which only means, while its a wonderful thing now, in the scheme of things with COLLEGE COSTS outta-sight, it pales in comparison to saving for their continuing education.

(flame suit on now LOL)

And sadly, years from now I guarantee you that some WILL remember this thread and especially, posts like mine....
No one thinks it'll happen to them....

 

[DawnM]

This goes along with much of what I have read as well.

No flames here.

OP: I really think that only you can decide what is best for your child. Every family has to make their own decision. I fully support public, private, or homeschools. Whatever it takes.

Dawn

Thats wonderful. I remember feeling equally as proud when ours did the same thing in K and 1st.

It wasn't until later when I noticed, and teachers also told me, that they all catch up evenutally (well the majority will, some exceptions won't).

In other words, the *playing field* is leveled evenutally and MOST of that kind of thing won't matter AT ALL when they get to college.
IF they can AFFORD to go to college!

Which only means, while its a wonderful thing now, in the scheme of things with COLLEGE COSTS outta-sight, it pales in comparison to saving for their continuing education.

(flame suit on now LOL)

And sadly, years from now I guarantee you that some WILL remember this thread and especially, posts like mine....
No one thinks it'll happen to them....

 

[blu3d3vil]

Would you pay to send your child to Kindergarten? $2500 is another trip to Disney

I hope that was a joke. I would cancel any Disney trip if I had to choose between it and my child's education.

Personally I won't send my children to a government school. I don't want them to learn the same propaganda that I was subjugated to.

 

[momof3girls6712]

We started out with all 3 of our children attending a private school. We live in a very small rural town so it is the only private school around for 30 miles. So my thoughts are only with the experiences of this 1 school. We paid 900 a month for the kids to attend. We had to buy their uniforms, books, and supplies. Plus it is a very small school so they do not have a lunch room so we also had to pack lunches and snacks every day. That we expected, but it seemed like everything at the school came with an additional price tag. Almost every week we were paying for something else. But even with the cost we stayed at the school for 5 years. Just wanted to let you know about the hidden cost.

We did put them in public school 2 years ago and the girls love it. We discovered that the girls were about a year behind the current public school standards. It was a huge shock. It has taken alot of extra work. They are able to have alot more services (youngest is autistic with adhd) and more oppurtunities (safety patrol, dances, music and art, sports, etc).

Again this might not be true in every private school. We are a town with only 1 red light and under 500 kids at our public school.

 

[mafibisha]

This goes along with much of what I have read as well.

No flames here.

Thank you.
Those of us with kids quickly approaching college (aren't they all?) totally know what we're saying.
Its really beyond frightening in terms of the $$$ needed.

 

[princessmorgan]

Thanks for everyone's opinions. I know ultimately we need to make our own decision for our family. It's nice to hear what others on the outside would do. I guess one of my biggest hurdles is that DD is my oldest and sending her to public school scares me. I no longer have as much control over her environment. I know I'll have to let her grow up eventually. It's just hard for a mother to do. I'm sure you all understand

 

[mafibisha]

We started out with all 3 of our children attending a private school. We live in a very small rural town so it is the only private school around for 30 miles. So my thoughts are only with the experiences of this 1 school. We paid 900 a month for the kids to attend. We had to buy their uniforms, books, and supplies. Plus it is a very small school so they do not have a lunch room so we also had to pack lunches and snacks every day. That we expected, but it seemed like everything at the school came with an additional price tag. Almost every week we were paying for something else. But even with the cost we stayed at the school for 5 years. Just wanted to let you know about the hidden cost.

We did put them in public school 2 years ago and the girls love it. We discovered that the girls were about a year behind the current public school standards. It was a huge shock. It has taken alot of extra work. They are able to have alot more services (youngest is autistic with adhd) and more oppurtunities (safety patrol, dances, music and art, sports, etc).

Again this might not be true in every private school. We are a town with only 1 red light and under 500 kids at our public school.

Well our suburb has more than 1 red light and 500 kids enrolled, but I've heard the same thing here. And from friends in neighboring suburbs.

 

[DawnM]

Well, I don't think I can afford 3 kids in private college. We make too much for help but not enough to actually pay for it!

They may have to live at home and commute to the local 4 year school.

Dawn

Thank you.
Those of us with kids quickly approaching college (aren't they all?) totally know what we're saying.
Its really beyond frightening in terms of the $$$ needed.

 

[freckles and boo]

Thanks for everyone's opinions. I know ultimately we need to make our own decision for our family. It's nice to hear what others on the outside would do. I guess one of my biggest hurdles is that DD is my oldest and sending her to public school scares me. I no longer have as much control over her environment. I know I'll have to let her grow up eventually. It's just hard for a mother to do. I'm sure you all understand

I understand. However, just because you are paying tuition doesn't mean you have any more control in a private school environment than you do a public school. We have outstanding public schools. I would rather save for college.

 

[mefordis]

I am in the same boat. My dd goes to a very good private preschool. She starts Kindergarten in fall and no way can we swing 8k a year. We could but we would be giving up plenty to do so.

I put it into perspective: It's Kindergarten. They can only learn so much. Most Kindergartens, if not all, focus on reading readiness/learning to read. The public kindergarten, it seems, cuts out a lot of the fun stuff since it is only half day. So the public 1/2 day students would have less:

- play time
- parties
- outdoor time
- arts and crafts

I fortunately found a compromise -- Kindergarten wrap around for 3 days. I pick her up from Kindergarten Mon, Wed and Fri and take her to 2 1/2 hours of enrichment at another local private school. They focus on reading, art, music and play. This costs $2340 a year but it's a far cry from $8,000.

If it wasn't for this program I would just do the 1/2 day free public Kindergarten and work with her at home, take her to museums, cook with her, etc. Which I'll do anyway on her off days!!

Remember: it's only Kindergarten and kids learn fast.

 

[rie'smom]

The thing with an all day kindergarten is that after lunch, the kids usually nap for a an hour or two. After nap, they start to get things together for home. The teacher might read a story or they might color but the learning is actually done during the morning hours. This has been our experience with private school kindrgartens in 4 states. So you actually are paying for your kid to nap not to get extra education.