Private vs. Public Schools

Public or Private Schools?

June 11, 2008

A product of the public school system, I am a strong believer that there is much to be learned in the free–for–all study system that we have here in America. Skilled in my ABCs and 123s, I also gained a knowledge of socioeconomic and cultural differences in the classroom. I would not trade my experiences as they prepared me for the world. On the other hand, my husband benefited from a top–notch education and an excellent athletic department at the private school across the street from mine.

Which do you prefer — public or private schooling?
Source

58 Comments

maddielove 5 years

I guess it depends on where I live. We have great public schools in my area so I have no problem sending my daughter there. I will send my daughter to a private school if the public school in my area is not good

maddielove 5 years

sldc 5 years

The best education is one in which a person learns to think for herself and seeks learning as a life long love. This can be accomplished in either setting and both types of education have many disadvantages and advantages. Parents have a responsibility to make the most of their child's education no matter what school their child attends.

sldc 5 years

CaterpillarGirl 5 years

the public school system failed both myself and my husband, so private school for our kids.

gab6784 5 years

I went to public school my whole life and my husband went to private so there is some debate as to whether or not our daughter will go to public or private. I agree that there are benefits to both and if we could manage it then I would probably send her to private school just because the public schools in my area are getting a little ridiculous with all the regulations and testing things definitely aren't the same like when I was young and the kids are SO different its scary. We'll see what happens, in the end the experience will be based on how good my daughter (and subsequent kids) make it.

jennifer76 5 years

I went to private school up through the first year and a half of high school and then public school after that. The public school I went to was considered a very good school, but I found it laughably easy after the ultra competitive private school I went to.We're looking to move to the next county over so that our children can attend public school in a great district because there is just no way we can afford private school at this point. Our preference is private school, but we'll have to make do with what we can afford. At least we have what's called the "school of choice" program where we can arrange to have our kids attend whichever school we think is best.

jennifer76 5 years

I went to private school up through the first year and a half of high school and then public school after that. The public school I went to was considered a very good school, but I found it laughably easy after the ultra competitive private school I went to. We're looking to move to the next county over so that our children can attend public school in a great district because there is just no way we can afford private school at this point. Our preference is private school, but we'll have to make do with what we can afford. At least we have what's called the "school of choice" program where we can arrange to have our kids attend whichever school we think is best.

Kimpossible 5 years

Our children have been to both public and private schools, there are benefits to both.

babysugar 5 years

Romaniagrl,I totally agree with you - the best qualified teacher should get the job. I was actually told by one school that my skin wasn't dark enough for the job! Anyway, it is what it is. I just think it's interesting that some parents may want to keep their children sheltered in a private school environment when those are the schools pushing diverse faculty. I do think kids can learn a lot from different role models though so I don't think it's all bad.

babysugar 5 years

Romaniagrl, I totally agree with you - the best qualified teacher should get the job. I was actually told by one school that my skin wasn't dark enough for the job! Anyway, it is what it is. I just think it's interesting that some parents may want to keep their children sheltered in a private school environment when those are the schools pushing diverse faculty. I do think kids can learn a lot from different role models though so I don't think it's all bad.

rgrl 5 years

"I can speak from experience when I tell you that highly respected expensive private schools are LOOKING to hire people with diverse backgrounds. The black, gay, jewish male teacher is a dream for private schools these days because he can introduce a whole new world to youngsters who may only be privy to a heterosexual white family at home." I find that so ridiculous! How about just looking for a good teacher and if a black, gay, Jewish one comes along then great! I am so sick of the whole diverse, politically correct thing happening. It's so forced and not natural anymore. Sorry baby sugar, this is not intended as a slam to you or your comment, just this "phenomenon".

rgrl 5 years

"I can speak from experience when I tell you that highly respected expensive private schools are LOOKING to hire people with diverse backgrounds. The black, gay, jewish male teacher is a dream for private schools these days because he can introduce a whole new world to youngsters who may only be privy to a heterosexual white family at home."I find that so ridiculous! How about just looking for a good teacher and if a black, gay, Jewish one comes along then great! I am so sick of the whole diverse, politically correct thing happening. It's so forced and not natural anymore. Sorry baby sugar, this is not intended as a slam to you or your comment, just this "phenomenon".

lickety split 5 years

let me pass on something here to those interested in home schooling. (that was our plan until my oldest was diagnoised with autism and it was just impossible.) anyway, in california you can home school through your school district. it's called independent study. you get the books and materials from the school district and go in every 2 weeks to meet with a teacher. the teacher answers any questions you have and then you get the next assignment. you grade your child and their transcript reads as if they had attended a public california school. and it's free :)

Jennifer777 5 years

At this point I plan on homeschooling my children. If something happens in the next 4-5 years to change public schools then I might reconsider. Private school really isn't an option because of the cost (and even if I could afford it I would want to be reassured that EVERY teacher my child comes in contact with is credentialed.)

LiLRuck44 5 years

Homeschool for my kids.

LiLRuck44 5 years

Homeschool for my kids.

amber_castaldo 5 years

I would choose public over private but in the area that we are looking to move the public schools have a terrible rep so it might be private school for my little tike. I went to public it wasn't so bad. There were not very many people in my school though so that could be a big part of it. I don't really know what to expect from city public schools. I hope that they are as student focussed as the only one in my home town.

Hautie 5 years

I would chose Private school. I attended public school till 5th grade only. Even by then in the late 70's my Mother was mortified by the whole public school system. I not only graduated from a private High School... I also graduated from a private College. And they were both fully state credential. To be honest I never knew of any of the local private schools near me to ever be anything but fully state credential. Keeping in mind I was raised in a wonderful town... north of Dallas Texas. But even in the "best" communities you have horrible children whose parents have taken no responsibility for their raising. (Which is even more of an issue today in schools.) So anyone teaching children in either private or public schools get my respect. I do not have the ability to get past rude children... or their enabling parents.

Hautie 5 years

I would chose Private school. I attended public school till 5th grade only. Even by then in the late 70's my Mother was mortified by the whole public school system. I not only graduated from a private High School... I also graduated from a private College. And they were both fully state credential. To be honest I never knew of any of the local private schools near me to ever be anything but fully state credential.Keeping in mind I was raised in a wonderful town... north of Dallas Texas. But even in the "best" communities you have horrible children whose parents have taken no responsibility for their raising. (Which is even more of an issue today in schools.) So anyone teaching children in either private or public schools get my respect. I do not have the ability to get past rude children... or their enabling parents.

Greggie 5 years

Location, location, location. I believe in both systems as well, as a product of both types of schools, and married to a man who is the private-school educated public-school teacher. But it's all in location. There are a lot of public schools I wouldn't send my child to, and a lot of private schools I wouldn't send my child to. However, in an ideal world, I would have my children go to Catholic school simply because it would bring everything together.

Greggie 5 years

Location, location, location. I believe in both systems as well, as a product of both types of schools, and married to a man who is the private-school educated public-school teacher. But it's all in location. There are a lot of public schools I wouldn't send my child to, and a lot of private schools I wouldn't send my child to.However, in an ideal world, I would have my children go to Catholic school simply because it would bring everything together.

schnappycat 5 years

I honestly don't understand how the average person can afford private school tuition, especially for more than one child. We do well financially and I still don't think we could easily afford it. Fortunately, we live in an area with excellent public schools, and since my husband and I attended public too, we are good with it. I think private would be great and offer different opportunities, but it just seems steep, especially with college costs skyrocketing.

babysugar 5 years

You have all brought up some interesting topics. On the sexual preference and moral issues being taught in schools, I can speak from experience when I tell you that highly respected expensive private schools are LOOKING to hire people with diverse backgrounds. The black, gay, jewish male teacher is a dream for private schools these days because he can introduce a whole new world to youngsters who may only be privy to a heterosexual white family at home. I think it's a great way to open the eyes of students to the real world - much like public schools do.

citizenkane 5 years

LaDolce - I totally see where you are coming from...but I also see the other side. I think the great thing about public school is that children learn that the world is full of different types of people and they learn how to be tolerable of and social around each type. I

Link Love

58 Comments