Private and Public School

[JoeP]

We're fortunate in that we live in a very good school district. Actually, virtually all the schools in my county are very good. Say what you will about teachers unions, but they do a great job and we have very high graduation rates as well as a huge number of sports.

We believe in public education because it works well. I'm not convinced we'd see enough of a difference in educational outcome to justify $30k-$50k a year for 14 years.

[dawnwes]

Religious schools are one reason, another is class size, and yet another is learning difficulties.
We have two Orton Gillingham schools here that do a very good job with students with LDs. Unfortunately, they are $20K+ per year.

dawnwes, are you referring to things like religious education? I do know many people who send their kids to private school for that purpose so it isn't about where they live or the quality of the public schools. It is to get them a different experience that isn't available in public school.

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[disneysteve]

Religious schools are one reason, another is class size, and yet another is learning difficulties.

That makes sense. If there are special needs that can't be adequately met in the public school, private may be the way to go. Unfortunately, with the trend to mainstream everyone, this is more and more of a problem. Years ago, kids with special needs or learning disabilities and such were put in a different, smaller class where they could get more personal attention. Now they throw everyone in the same room. It isn't good for the special needs kids and it isn't good for the non-special needs kids either.

[moneybags]

That makes sense. If there are special needs that can't be adequately met in the public school, private may be the way to go. Unfortunately, with the trend to mainstream everyone, this is more and more of a problem. Years ago, kids with special needs or learning disabilities and such were put in a different, smaller class where they could get more personal attention. Now they throw everyone in the same room. It isn't good for the special needs kids and it isn't good for the non-special needs kids either.

IMO, public schools are better in many cases for special needs. Our schools separate and use inclusion depending on circumstances. LDs are a completely different thing that many schools, public & private, have yet to figure out. A school that specializes in LDs is great if you can afford it & have one nearby (like the Orton Gillingham referenced above).

In the "old days", children with learning disabilities were put in a classroom with special needs children. This was a big mistake as they are two separate things and need different teaching methods. Many people with learning disabilities have genius IQs.

[disneysteve]

In the "old days", children with learning disabilities were put in a classroom with special needs children. This was a big mistake as they are two separate things and need different teaching methods. Many people with learning disabilities have genius IQs.

On the other end of the spectrum, when I was in school, the "gifted" kids had special classes. Just as those with learning disabilities need different teaching methods, so too do the gifted kids. They think differently. They approach problem-solving differently. They work at a different pace. They thrive when they are academically challenged in ways that most kids can't really handle. That's another area where mainstreaming is failing our kids today. They no longer separate out the gifted kids which impacts their ability to reach their full potential.

[moneybags]

On the other end of the spectrum, when I was in school, the "gifted" kids had special classes. Just as those with learning disabilities need different teaching methods, so too do the gifted kids. They think differently. They approach problem-solving differently. They work at a different pace. They thrive when they are academically challenged in ways that most kids can't really handle. That's another area where mainstreaming is failing our kids today. They no longer separate out the gifted kids which impacts their ability to reach their full potential.

I agree. Several school systems do offer some programs for the gifted. Our school actually had a great program that they have mostly gotten rid of. I read about one of the Asian school systems (wish I could remember where I read it) that said they actually separate the kids based on whether they are hard workers or not, not based on gifted testing. It was an interesting concept.

[dawnwes]

Huh. I would be interested in reading about that.

I agree. Several school systems do offer some programs for the gifted. Our school actually had a great program that they have mostly gotten rid of. I read about one of the Asian school systems (wish I could remember where I read it) that said they actually separate the kids based on whether they are hard workers or not, not based on gifted testing. It was an interesting concept.

[disneysteve]

I read about one of the Asian school systems (wish I could remember where I read it) that said they actually separate the kids based on whether they are hard workers or not, not based on gifted testing. It was an interesting concept.

I read something recently that I found fascinating. In the US, if a kid is doing poorly in a particular subject, the tendency is to hire a tutor to help him in that subject.

In Asian cultures, if a kid does poorly in one subject, they let it go. But if he does well in a particular subject, they hire a tutor to further advance his skills in that area since that is where his talents lie. They play to the kid's strengths, where we focus on the kid's weaknesses. So if a kid shows a talent for chemistry, they work to make him the best chemist they can and don't worry about the fact that his history grade isn't so good.

[Like2Plan]

I read something recently that I found fascinating. In the US, if a kid is doing poorly in a particular subject, the tendency is to hire a tutor to help him in that subject.

In Asian cultures, if a kid does poorly in one subject, they let it go. But if he does well in a particular subject, they hire a tutor to further advance his skills in that area since that is where his talents lie. They play to the kid's strengths, where we focus on the kid's weaknesses. So if a kid shows a talent for chemistry, they work to make him the best chemist they can and don't worry about the fact that his history grade isn't so good.

That is interesting. I wonder if their post secondary education is narrowly focused? I would think here (in the US) you would have trouble getting into a college if you didn't take the required classes and get at least respectable grades in the subject. For example, you still have to take the complete math series (algebraI &II, geomtry, Precalc with Trigonometry) to get into a decent college. And most colleges require more math in college even for a liberal arts major.

[moneybags]

I read something recently that I found fascinating. In the US, if a kid is doing poorly in a particular subject, the tendency is to hire a tutor to help him in that subject.

In Asian cultures, if a kid does poorly in one subject, they let it go. But if he does well in a particular subject, they hire a tutor to further advance his skills in that area since that is where his talents lie. They play to the kid's strengths, where we focus on the kid's weaknesses. So if a kid shows a talent for chemistry, they work to make him the best chemist they can and don't worry about the fact that his history grade isn't so good.

I'd not heard of this, but I am using this method with my son. Honors/AP classes for his strengths, regular classes for his weaknesses. I am going to look for a college that has general ed requirements that skew in his favor. It makes sense to me. If you are not a math person (or writer, etc.), why spend so much time struggling with it in school? You are not going to pick a career in that field, so get the basics and focus on what you're good at.

[Fishindude77]

My kids are raised and on their own, went to public schools. However in hindsight, If you can afford a good private school without jeopardizing your finances, savings, etc. I would do it. Much better education in most cases, and it will keep them away from the "undesirable element".

[rennigade]

thanks spambot

[Singuy]

I rather live in a good neighborhood with good free public schools than a bad area with good expensive private schools.

I don't really believe in private school. It's ridiculous to pay 25k/year for private elementary school when professional schools fetch for the same price.

You can argue that the quality of education is better. This may be true but does it matter? I feel like high dollar private schools will yield me a child who feels entitled throughout life.

Got a friend who spends 75k/year on her children's private school tuition. Her oldest is now aiming to go to Brown University. This is a school you send your daughter to while you live in Monaco. You don't actually expect her to actually have a career because she already has a fat trust fund waiting for her. At 53k/year, she'll end up with a nonsense liberal arts degree(because what else is Brown good for?). I hear her daughter actually wants to be a MD..so why Brown?...oh I know why..because her classmates are going to similar schools for no good reason as well. Can you imagine how embarrassing it is when you kids tell their friends that they are going to a community college while riding in their parent's Range Rover to water polo practice?

So my friend would spend about 700k for her entire education from elementary school till med school. If my kid wants to go to med school, she will end up in public school...take all the honor classes she can. Go through dual enrollment and get her AA degree in HS before entering a state university..spend 2 additional years at a state university and eventually get into med school(also a state university). Total price tag..150k.

So why spend 700k when you can yield the same result at 150k?

[Nutria]

The only public schools in this part of the state that don't suck are Magnets, and our kids just don't have the required academic killer instinct.

So, it's $10K parochial high schools. (Grammar was $5K.)

[rennigade]

Agree with Singuy. Plan way beforehand...live in a nice neighborhood with good/average schools.

You wont be able to nerf the world forever for your child. As long as the education is decent...its good for kids to figure stuff out on their own. Thats the nice part about public schools. Theres going to be fights, theres going to be drugs...they'll be put in situations where they will need to decide that if they pick option A there may be consequences...or if they choose option B they will be guaranteed not to get in trouble. They can make the choice to stop associating with bad kids.

Also...everything I just mentioned above...thatst going to happen in private schools too. Like I said...if the education is good in the public...there's no reason to pay top dollar for private.

The only exception is if you live in the hood. Then you're pretty much doomed.