private school??

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
private school??
43
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 11:45am
Does you send your child to private school.
What do you like about it?
What do you hate about it?

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 1:31pm

My kids go to a private prep school pre-k - 12.

What I like about it? Small class sizes - less than 15 per class. No teaching to the almighty standardized tests, more rigorous curriculum, more loving environment, more personal, etc. No real behavior issues, ability to make change quickly. More interesting classwork - more hands on work, less ditto and busywork. More teacher attention, ability to get help quickly. Uniforms. 100% college entrance. Anyone who wants to play sports is on the team. No fundraiser sales like magazines, wrapping paper, etc.

What I don't like? Tuition is quite hefty, no cafeteria, though you can buy a lunch to be catered in, you have to pay for transportation so we drive instead. The board members seem to work like a secret society, no parents group, yearly annual giving which if you don't give they start calling. Makes us more on the outside in the community and neighborhood because like it or not, parents feel it is an attack on their choice when you don't send your kids to the local school.

Avatar for cathiann
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 3:17pm

My kids go to a Catholic school that is pre-k through 8th grade.

Surviving Middle & High School
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 3:43pm

I did for Kindergarten and Grade 1.


What I liked: incredibly small class sizes and great teacher/student ratios. In Grade 1 there were only 12 kids. Each child got a program tailored to their needs. I'm finding now that she's in a class that is 1/3 special education that alot of stuff is sort of taken to the lowest common denominator because with 29 kids the teacher can't tailor each kids learning. For my DD its not the end of the world, she deals with that pretty well, but I know some kids can get lost in that kind of system.


What I disliked: the price. I twas $7000 a year and I was also paying $7000 for afterschool care although it was wonderful afterschool care. I am still paying off those two years of school but I think it was great for her. However if I won the lottery I wouldn't hesitate to put her back for many of those same reasons.


That's not to say I don't love her public school. They do the best they can with what they are given and I like that its a small school of less than 300 kids so everyone knows everyone, but sometimes its frustrating to see your child just sort of moving along with the flow when you know they could be ahead of the wave if the resources were there.

Photobucket  

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2005
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 3:53pm

We've done, private, homeschool and now public school and they all have pros and cons


Private school offered better and more academic challenges, but we had to put up with a lot religiously - I didn't mind the basic religion

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 3:54pm

Linda
mom to
Alex (16), Rachel (14), Matthew (12)


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 4:13pm
thanks for the info.
Right now we go to charter school. I am looking for a school that can educate my daughter with out distractions. I do not want the fundraiser things. I am okay with some donation of time from the parents and make it fun. The parent group is important to know how they run it. I think I just might stay for a bit longer. Although I do not believe we will be asked back next year.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-11-2005
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 6:39pm

I had to laugh at "only 48" kids to have friends from. My daughter has one section of her grade and there are a total of 5 girls, 13 boys! The whole school is under 300 kids in preschool thru 8th. I like that there is good communication between parents and teachers and that the teachers can teach what they want to a degree. I like uniforms. I like that there are several teachers and aides involved in each kids' class.

I don't like the money, both tuition and what they ask you for weekly for this and that fundraiser. I don't like that they give the kids a lot of treats for holidays, etc. Too many food rewards. I don't like that there are few after-school programs and you have to pay a lot extra for them. I don't like that they set their own schedule and my kids are off this whole week!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 11:20pm
Public schooling here


Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


Powered by CGISpy.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Tue, 10-10-2006 - 9:50am
I have thought public was okay until I realized how much they just teach one thing. Then they allow so many distractions and some of the kids get lost though cracks.
That is why we went to charter school. They teach an education. I like that. Although with our charter school, the kids do not get any computer work, we barely have a library. The school depends on alot of parents to step in. I would not mind the parents stepping in and helping out but, teaching a class. Not my standard way of setting a good example for my child. I do not like the idea of parents being able to govern what should or should not go on in school. I want an educated teacher to educate my child. Is that too much to ask for? I know the schools need some help but there should be a way to control it somehow.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 10-10-2006 - 10:32am

I had to post on this one lol


My three children have been in both private and public schools.

Photobucket

Pages