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| School Days |
Is private school better than public school? Yes and no.
When I had my first son, I knew I wanted to go back to work.
First, my then husband and I could never have lived on one salary. But more
importantly, I like being out and about, and an afternoon with Barney was not
my idea of happy hour. So, all of my children have spent time in daycare
centers. However, being a teacher at that
time, I knew they wouldn’t be able to show up to kindergarten without knowing
some A,B, C’S and 1,2,3’s. Therefore, my kiddos began attending a local “church
school” that started in Pre-K and went up to the 8th grade. This
began their journey through private school terrain. Honestly, I never intended for them to
continue down this road. The plan was
that the Jacksons would attend this school until they could go to the local
public school. Then, I had dinner with a
long-time friend who suggested I apply my oldest to the private school where
her sons attend. Yeah, right!!!
Low and behold, “Thing 1” was accepted!! I was completely
shocked. Who knew he was…well, smart. He certainly didn’t demonstrate any form
of real intelligence at home. Anyway, once he was fully engulfed in private
school life, I could see the horizons broadening, the opportunities for him to
see and be involved in a wide variety of activities increasing. I liked it. So
Thing 2 and 3 would follow in his private school footsteps. I liked the idea of expanding their vision of
what they could ultimately achieve in life.
I know what you’re going to say. I’ve had this argument, I
mean conversation, with many of my friends and family. It’s no secret that private
school tuition is no joke. Monthly
payments for their schooling tip the scales of a balanced monthly budget and
cause many lean days. So why spend the money? Why do this when they could just
go to public school and get an equally good education?
I agree. Public schools provide a great education. The thesis for my Master’s in Education was
on public school versus private school education. The outcome was that no matter where your kid goes
to school, if the parents are involved, the kids would be successful. I believe
that. When I taught 7th grade English, those kids whose parents were
always volunteering or fundraiser or visiting or even emailing were more
concerned about their performance. However, they were far outnumbered by
students who didn’t have much parent involvement. Every year, I saw students
who went from being model citizens during the first month of school to becoming
the classroom catastrophe. Not because
that’s who they were, but because that’s who they needed to be to have friends.
Am I saying that private schools don’t have their peer pressures?
No. I see it every day. The pressure to
compete on an economic level is mind-blowing. My kids play soccer with kids who
have private coaches. What the What? They
are in elementary. They play chess with
kids who have private coaches. They have play dates with kids who have “media
rooms “and share vacation stories with kids who travel abroad for spring break.
We went to Home Depot for spring break. I’m not hating…well maybe a little. But
eventually, I know my kids will see they don’t stack up in terms of dollars and
cents. Let’s not even talk about my
fears for them when they reach middle school and high school. I know there are recreational drugs and
alcohol that these kids have access to that I couldn’t even afford to buy! Did
I mention that my two youngest are the only African-Americans in their class? I
know that private schools have their diversity challenges. I’m just hoping the
good outweighs the bad in the long run.
So is private school better than public school? Yes and no.
My decision is that I want my kids to experience the exposure that private
school offers. I realize that exposure
comes at a price. But doesn't
You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation however
ReplyDeleteI in finding this matter to be actually one thing
which I feel I would by no means understand. It sort
of feels too complicated and extremely large for me.
I'm having a look ahead in your subsequent put up, I'll attempt
to get the grasp of it!
Here is my blog post - gift Ideas for Men
Economic inequities exist wherever you are, in the public school, the private school and in the economy at large. This is not something to weight a child down with. One's personal economy is what it is. It can always be changed, if one really wants to do so. What is more important for kids particularly in these environs is that they have confidence and integrity, and ability to achieve academically and if they need coaches, so be it. I think folks who may feel inadequate in their own finances, worry needlessly about the economic inequities, rather than use that as a teaching moment to explain the larger economy, and the fact that this is how the world is. There will always be someone with more money. When my child was in the 2nd grade, as I was doing a stint in the library, I heard one second grade female say to another second grade female in a rather haughty manner, "my dad has enough money to buy your dad." I was caught off guard with the sentiment, but also with the sort of vehemence that accompanied the retort, but realized that, that sentiment didn't originate from a second grader's mind without some environmental assistance, like maybe the dinner table.
ReplyDeleteI think folks should not get carried along the river with the idea that a private school has to be better than a public school. If your child will have difficulty socially among folks who may be way out of their economic range, then that may not be the school for that child. I would submit that it may also be possible to expose your child to meaningful experiences if you are not bogged down with paying the high private school fees. In some cases, you will have expended the cost of a college education to put your child through 12 years of private school. I would suggest that parents who are considering this choice talk not only with their friends but with a wide swath of people on both sides to get as accurate an opinion as you can, on how the school is run and whether your child will be a good fit. In some cases the fit is perfect for the parent but not for the child, so remember who will be going to school, not which committees you as a parent can see yourself on.
Last comment, figure out what the philosophy is of the private school that your are considering for your child to attend. Then seriously determine if your child will actually fit into that philosophy. Private schools will accommodate your child, but they aren't going to turn themselves on their head for your child, that's why they are private. It up to you to do the work and find a school in which your child will fit. If you are going to want to try to make effective changes, public school may be the better place.