Public school or private school?

For me, I think it really depends on the child. Not to sound like someone who is completely lost on the topic, cause I have experience from attending both types of school (public until 8th grade, private and public high schools), but I really believe it's an individual decision. For me, I know that I thrived no matter where I was. For some students, the environment matters less than the actual material. It could be a closet in an apartment, as long as the material was clear and concise. I do agree that curriculum is far and away better at private schools. They have more funding available and the government still lags when it comes to properly funding a lot of public schools. However, I don't believe the difference is automatic and I would argue that there are some public schools are more than capable of holding their own. This is what I would do, and what I plan to do with my children. I plan on sending them to private school early to see whether or not the environment is good for them. I would support them and stay involved, but I would want to see how they perform before committing them to private school. If they can handle their own without the private school, I would actually prefer them to be in public school to get the diversity you might not get from some private schools. But if they need the structure and the discipline and the extra resources, then a private school might be the perfect environment. My short answer to your question about private schools always being better is no, but as you can see, there's a little more than just being a "better school."

I went to a parochial school as a child, from kindergarten to 8th grade, and I got a great education. The transition from private to public was fairly easy, but I wasn't getting the same kinds of stimulation and challenges in high school that I was getting in grade school. I thank my parents for the education they provided for me every day, when I see how many people spell, use grammar, or talk. I would love to be able to afford to send my children to private schools, but I just can't. My 7 year old is in a public school, and every one that I've put her in seems to be so far behind the other schools that my niece, who is the same age, has been in. I find it interesting that the smaller community public schools have better curriculum than the inner city schools do, and if I had the chance, I'd put her in a private school, same with my 5 year old that will be going to kindergarten next year.

i am one of the many products of the public education system. i attended a public grade school, a public high school and a state university for college. i'd say that what i've learned from the public schools does not have much difference from what my friends who went to private schools gained. sure we used different textbooks but the curriculum is much the same. however, those public schools that i've graduated from where located in the countryside. the ratio of teacher to students there is 1:25 unlike here in the city where the ratio of teacher to students is about 1:100. since we are now living in the city, i'd probably send my little girl to a private school.

I send both my sons (aged 3 and 5) to private schools. Montessori in the morning and a mosque affiliated kindergarten in the afternoon. I do have friends that send their children to public schools and i have to say that it is a lot more rote learning in public schools where i'm from. I can see that my sons are more expressive, has good decision making skills and has a wholesome education. By wholesome, i mean that education also includes social graces, inter personal skills, patience, etc.. All the best! - Lyn

private schools may be better for education and academic learning, but in public schools it is better as a life experience, you get a whole range of people, not just the rich or clever. At a public school you get the people who may no be clever but are great friends, the social life that you gain at a public school is a lot better and there are not as many expectations at a public school which make it a more enjoyable experience.

ya i think private schools r better than public schools..reason is obvious in public schools staff hve their job fixed ..its very difficult to fire them,so they dont perform their duties properly..which is not in private schools...

I have 3 children. Two of them have gone all they way through private school and graduated from a local Catholic High School. My youngest will be starting the high school there next year. Yes, it's been expensive. When I had all three in private school at the same time it cost well over $10,000. And the cost as gone up. This fall I will only have one child in Catholic High School and it will cost well over $5,000. However, it has been well worth it for a number of reasons. When my eldest first was starting school, we lived in a much poorer community. The school roof leaked in various places. The fire alarms didn't work. I know as I pulled one myself to prove a point. A number of doors were chained shut. Repeated calls to the fire department were made at that time by parents and nothing was done. A decision needed to made, and, at that time, I made it. I realize that education isn't the building, but this was about safety. I also think that if a community can't care for her children, the community really just doesn't care too much at all about anything. At least, I found this to be the case here. We later moved to another city and I checked the schools in that area at the time. The dropout rate of hispanics (we're of Mexican heritage) was high at that time. . .I don't remember excatly, but it was about 90% in the Detroit area that year. So, I did what any concerned mother would do and I asked the school what percentage of hispanic students made it to gradutation. They couldn't answer the question. They wouldn't even give me a "we'll look it up and get back to you." So it was decided to continue sending them to private school. Our first year in this new home and I did a little research. At my son's school there were 2 fights between students the whole year. In the public school where we lived, they averaged 2 fights per day. Even considering that the public was larger (about 6 times as many students) I found these numbers to be most unacceptable. Another reason I particularly like the school is that each high school studnet MUST perform 20 hours of community service each year. If they don't, it will only accumulate. If you don't have all your hours in by the time you graduate, you'll still receive your diploma, but you won't march in with your class. I think it makes a difference that these young people are put into a position to help out in the community. Yes, it's a Catholic high school, but the community is much larger than only those who are Catholic or only those whose families attend this school. And as a citizen of that community we must all do our part to make it just a little bit better. Twenty hours per student multiplied by several hundred students equals quite a bit of service in the community each year. Sadly, my marriage to their father ended as my ex was/is cross addicted. At that point, it just made good sense to me that prayer be a daily part of their lives. Now so more than ever. It makes a difference to me that my son daily recites "the Lord's prayer" at school. It makes a difference to me that he has read the scriptures at the all school mass. There is no doubt in my mind that the quality of education has been much higher compared to the education offered in the public school of the cities I have lived in. I currently live in yet another city. I believe the public school education here is much better than where we have previously lived. However, I have been very pleased with the private school and we'll stay there. I guess, in the end, it is a decision each family must make. I, myself, am very glad the sacrifices were made to keep my sons in private school.

Private schools is better than public schools,private schools teachers are intelligent and obliged to teach well if wanted to get the salary complete so it is another point of urge for the private school teachers unlike public school teachers who are not teaching well..for me,i would prefer my son to be enrolled in a private school even if it's expensive for his learning also and his own good future.

I grew up at public school, college...

I grew up at public school, college...

where do i want to send my kids, public or private school? hmm, well in order for me to answer that, i would need to make them first. and in order for me to make them, i need to have someone to make them with. can you help me find one? LOL

where do i want to send my kids? well, i would need to make them first. and in order for them to make them, i need someone to make it with. can you help me looking for one? LOL

i went to both school. i attented my elementary years at a public school then private on my highschool years. they both have advantages and disadvantages. in public school, their priorities are those in the highest section or those smart students. if your in this section, then good for you. they would really hone your mind and skills. but if your on the lower section or the uhhm slow learner, well, they don't prioritize them that much. in private school ( i also attended a catholoc school): the advantage is that everybody is given the same treatment. the disadvantage though is that, if your smart then sometimes studies doesnt seem to challenge. teachers wont give really, really hard questions or lessons because the other students would be slow to grasp things. but if you really want to learn more, you could always approach a teacher and ask for actvities or exercises. i dont know if this i true in your country but from where im from most school are like this.. but i got to say, its really on the students initiative to learn. because if the student want to learn, then no matter what environment your in you'll excel..

Private school provide more opportunity to touch interesting people and things,you also experience something only found or allowed in it.But public school offer everyone same condition seem more fair. Besides relative low expense is better.

I prefer a school with a good record and good faculty of teachers.

There are private schools that the training is not good. And a lot of public schools that training is below the standard. Some public schools really strive hard to give the students good training and education. You would know if the school offers excellent training and education to students whether its public or private. You can observe or ask about it. I studied in a public school when i was in my elementary years and good that my teachers were the competent also to give us/me a good training. I was transferred to a private school (exclusive for girls) when i was in highschool. And mind you, I really find it so hard to cope with their lessons. There are way too advance. But for the others that came from private schools, they find the lesson as a review of their elementary lessons. So there's really a big difference. So i've got no time to relax, i did study hard to cope with the lessons, that was just a plain review for the others.

for me if ever in the future i have a children. if i can afford to send my child to private then its not a problem but if not i'll send it to public. I went to public school too but i think its not the kind of school. its the willingness to learn and study. However, both have disadvantage and advantage.

Go Public, There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I went to a public school and are sending my kids to a public school. I turned out alright. Kids in private schools are more likely to be nasty, snotty Im better than you attitude and get in heaps more trouble because they feel the urge to let loose because school is strict. So I am told.

given the expensive tuition fees of private schools, (in our country), i would prefer to send my kids to public school when they reach grade school and high school years. However, for them to have a good foundation of learning, i would prefer to send them first to private preparatory school in the early stage of their education. I guess there is no difference in the academic teachings between private and public schools. As long as parents support the very foundation of a kid's learning, which is in the first place acquired at home, coupled with teachings on the importance of education, I guess kids could could carry themselves no matter if it is private or public school they are in. In the case of a catholic school, like i said earlier, private school has no difference in teaching as far as academic progress is concerned. When it comes to teaching values, i guess religious schools are influential enough in molding an individual's character, which is deeply rooted in religion like that of a Catholicism.

for me i prefer public school.there is nothing wrong with public school.they are a lot of top public school in studies.but if you are rich then you can consider of sending to private school.but i think the kids will be more independent in public school as they will need to do everything by their own.thus it can make them think maturely.in public school you'll meet all kind of students not only the rich ones.so you will not be so racist since you will be mixing with all of them.sometimes sending kids to private school can give them a lot of pressure.this is because the parents would expect their kids to be top scorer in the school.it is not good for the kids