Kindergarten.... private or public school? Pros and Cons

I would say if you can afford to send her to a the private school you are talking about that may be your best option. I know how these zoning issues can be hard. When I was living in Florida with my mom and sister we were looking into buying a house. The area we were looking into buying a house busses kids to other school districts. So just because we would live right down the street from one school doesn't mean that's where my sister would go. She would have been sent to a school that was 20 minutes away. It's so ridiculous. And another thing I ran across when I was starting high school is that I couldn't transfer to the high school I was wanting to go to because I was white. The high school I was zoned for was trying to get more white kids in the school so I wasn't allowed to transfer out. But it all turned out for the best in the end. I ended up really liking the school and did really well there. It's now one of the best schools in the city. But I understand where you are coming from in wanting your daughter in a good school with good testing grades. We always want to get out kids off to the best start possible. I'm so glad I have 4 more years to think about this.

I am a big fan and advocate of the public school systems in America. I believe that a child can be raised with wonderful values and morals without going to private school. In public school, they get a chance from the start to understand diversity and varying levels of need. They get to make choices that will be made for them in the private system. These are skills that when they become adults will be crucial for success. I have friends that have chosen private school for their children and that is all fine and well for me, but I am a very successful product of the public school system as is my husband and our children will be as well. Whatever you decide, best wishes !

We have a daughter in preK at a private school. She just turned 4 last November, and we had her tested for the public preK program thinking we could get her in, problem was she tested at well into Kindergarten level and the public school had no program for her. That led us to the private school my 5th grade SIL attends. The tuition was outrageous, but we couldn't let her stay home idle another year. May I also add that our public school district has had it's share of issues, and I have a daughter in 5th grade in public school. Next year my preK daughter will be attending public preK because the public schools won't take her in kindergarten because of her birthday and also because we can't afford to keep her in private school, not only financially but her attitude as well. I know this will sound terrible, and I don't mean it to, but my 4 year old has developed an "elitist" attitude as most of the kids at her private school have. They all believe that although "God is great" they must have money since their parents send them there and that makes them better than others. I even had my 4 ear old tell me "You and dad have money and that makes me good." when I picked her up one day. That didn't come from the way we raise her. My oldest has been in public school her eduactional life. I have a sister in law that is the same age and goes to private. I can tell you that my SIL has problems dealing with a diverse group of people and also has problems problem solving on her own with her peers. She believes has a definate view of everything as black and white and there are no gray areas. I'm not trying to slam the Christian school, and I don't know if this is common on all private schools, but this girls attitude stinks. My daughter on the other hand knows that things don't always work out as planned, that there are gray areas in situations, and has no problem interacting with people of all races and backgrounds. This was a big deciding factor in making the choice to take our younger daughter out of private school. I can teach her religious values at home. Don't count out your public school because of it's reputation. Our school district has been struggling with budget problems, low test scores, etc... for years. But I can honestly tell you that despite all the problems she has had excellent, caring teachers and the kids education has always been placed at the forefront. A lot of the problems with public schools stem from lack of parental involvement, and unfortunately it reflects upon the schools. My daughter has received excellent treatment and I am proud to say she has made honor roll and is above her grade level in reading. Private schools give an excellent education also, but keep in mind that if you plan on keeping your child there and take her out in afew years she may be way more advanced educationally than her public school peers, and that poses another set of problems. Good luck on whatever decision you make, I apologize for ranting so long!