Private or Public schools for children? How did you decide?

Well that's long decision making. For me, because I'm a catholic so I would rather enrol my child in a catholic school. But because neither of you is a catholic you must decide where to put your son that will inable him to catch up not only his lessons as well as his peers. Get surveys of the schools around you and compare which is better who could give your son the best education. I hope I did help you. :)

I was in public school through the 7th grade. When from 6th till 7th I was made fun of EVERY day and I was crying ALL the time. My parents decided to find a way to put me in private school. I was miserable. So that is how we went from public to private. I would do the same for my kids any day.

This is something all parents have to decide. For me and my husband it was an easy decision. We both went to public schools and came out fine and we both had very pleasant experiences and unpleasant. I feel that you need both to grow strong. Dont dwell on it too much. What you might want to do is list the pro's and con's of all kinds of schools you have considered and take it from there.

Don't forget the school zones. We moved to a neighborhood with the belief our kids would be going to this one particular school. Well, I guess everyone was thinking the same thing, so they changed the zone for our community. My oldest has one more year at the school before she goes to the middle school that we wanted her to go to. So when my youngest is in the first grade, I get the joy of dealing with 2 schools that are far apart from each other. The first day of school is going to be such joy. The coming school year isn't so bad, my oldest goes 3 days before my youngest.

If you have a good public school district (see your states website for standardized test scores and stats on incidents of violence) you should not be worried about public school. Good socialization will happen in any school where the faculty can focus on teaching and not disciplinary issues. You should be aware of even a Catholic Schools merits and reputation as well. I can not speak for all Cities but I do know that Children of all faiths (including Jewish and Muslim)attend Catholic Schools in NY City as an alternative to poor public schools. As many issues as the Catholic Church has- they have got a handle on this one. You should ask about the aspects of religious instruction and what level of participation in services, sacraments and events of the Religious Calendar will be expected of your child and you. Trust me the admissions commitee has answers for you. If your son has to switch to public school, having other aspects and hobbies outside of school remain somewhat constant will help with culture shock. Take a deep breath the right decision will come to you when the time comes.

I think public schools good for the children, they can interaction with other people and I think is very important for the children. Best regards

For us it was all about the money. We have 4 kids and my husband doesn't make much money. We couldn't afford anything but public school. Where we live there are no public preschools. They are all private and cost and arm and a leg (from $3000-$8000 a year for preschool/kindergarten). I had 2 preschool aged kids this year and neither of them went to school. They just hang out with me at home. We are moving this summer and I don't like the public schools there so I will be homeschooling my oldest two (for 2nd and kindergarten). As for the Catholic school thing: I went to Catholic school from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade and loved it. I am not Catholic, never was. My dad was raised Catholic but was an atheist when he enrolled me. It was just about the education. The public schools were over crowded and underfunded so he sent us to the Catholic school. It was tough being the only non-Catholic at school but it taught me to be strong and changed what I believe in religion. I was a Christian and believed in god and identified with Catholics but I wasn't technically a Catholic (since I have never been baptized). Now I am agnostic (by my own choice). In my opinion, if the public schools are good then send the kids there. Religious schools are for the deeply religious who want to in doctrine their kids before they have minds of their own or for when the public schools are so bad there are no other choices. But that is just my opinion.

to be frank, the standard of education here in nigeria is on the brink of a collapse and was only saved by the springing up of private schools. So i think private schools have really lived up to the billing in my own country and as regards the course curricula, they are the best when you compare them with public schools

The fact that we have several children and can not afford private school was a good deciding factor for us. But since that is not a deciding factor for you...you will also have to take into consideration the religion. If you and your wife are not Catholic, how would you feel about your child being raised Catholic until he was to enter Middle School? How are the public schools rated? If you don't know about the website...there is a website that you can see how they are rated at: http://www.greatschools.net/ There some parents may even leave feed back for the school. But it shows tests scores and more to help you determine which school you would prefer. Good luck!

I haven't had to worry about this yet as my son is only a year old. But my mom put me and my brother into a private school to start off with. Then when we were older we wanted to move to public school and she let us. We didn't have any problems transitioning to the public school. So I say you could always try the private school and if it doesn't seem right for him then switch him to the public school.

you only have one child. I suggest you should bring him into private school so that he will get more knowledge and he will get monitored well in a private school. Are yo going to deprived your only son and child? Might as well bring him into a very good school so that you won't have regrets when he grows up. Remember always that knowledge is power. you should not deprived him of these things.. Goodluck!

It sounds like you are really putting a lot of thought into your child's education and that's really great. If I were you, I would definitely have the very same concerns. Unless this private school excels academically over the public school, then what would be the benefit of your child attending a private school? He will have to integrate into the public school system at some point so this is something that you defninitely need to consider. So, when interviewing the schools and you can certainly interview both the public and private schools, ask questions about academic performance, although those records should be made public any way. The most important thing is you want to know that your son will be prepared well if he should choose to go to college at some point. Good luck to you.

We happen to live in an area where the public school system is good. That was a super plus for us. There is a christian school, but the kids who have come out of there sometimes "have something to prove" when they get out and get into the public system. I've seen it here a lot. If you are not Catholic, that would not be a good choice I don't think. Even though your inlaws are. They may teach "bible" things not the same way you would and that would mean big conflict in the family.

Hello! i had been teacher more 15 years in public school, even i am in Canada i think public school is allright. Only when my dauhgter got 13 yo she asked to go to private school because other children were laughing at her because she was studying with interest!! So, maybe for highschool then that will be better in private school. Problems now are coming from Street Gangs every where. **It is very easy to choice a private school just go there to visit... you will see by yourself the atmosphere, the programs they offer, activities also, study time in special room... My daughter is diabetic type.1. since she is 10 yo and they took care specially about it, they put a little fridge in her room for her insulin , a religious teacher was in charge to guard day and night on the floor there in rooms area, so no big fun, loud noice or party late in evening... She is now graduated from university as super-nurse, she work in Psychiatry dept. of a good hospital, she is married and mom of a cuty daughter 18 months old!! - a fact is: check carefully the FRIENDS more than the schools system sometimes it is more and very important for your child lifestyle!!

Well personally I want my children to study in private to have a better education since its not crowded there unlike in public but the problem is that nowadays its too expensive here in our country to enter a children in a private schools. In you case, if you don't mind the price of the education in private school, I think you should go for it. I believe a better education at early stage would help them to be competitive when entering to much higher education.

I think if his an only son and you could affor tomake him study in private institutions then go on. I think if the quality of education is much better in private school and I could afford it why not. I mean why not hampered the growth and education of your child if you could both financed it.

If you have enough money, u can choose private school. I think it will value its price. If you haven't, choose the public school, it will be all right. After all, your son is only 4 years old. And the more important thing is the teachers in the school you choose should possibility and love children.

If there is a privet school but whether it near by house. How to teach the teacher .kids grow up they can go alone to school.In school there is some activities in school our children learn them.Teacher take study theirself.Give love to our children,then it privet or public school.

Dear Friend, of course i do. i have my childhood friends with near by me.that's what we call as a real friendship.even they don't live near my house. but i make contact him when i am free. Thanks

Dear Friend. I think privete school is good than a government school. Because then u can get much more attention from teachers to your son. Thanks