Private or Public?
And I ain't talking toilets, ladies! Thank you for the three of you who have so diligently continued to email me - really, everything is dandy! I'm just consumed with all the things that are now part of my routine...I truly have less time now than when I was working! Thank goodness school is over for the summer.....for all of us!
BUT I want to discuss what is a "hot" topic of conversation in my neck of the woods these days. School. And listen up - we have good, no, GREAT SCHOOLS in the greater DC area.
Are your kids going private, or public next year? Well, the following are some of the responses I've had when discussing said topic. See for yourself, then get back to me on your views and opinions.
random lady: Are you sending your kids to private or public school next year?
me: oh, public - fur shore! why, are you considering private?
random lady: yeah, I mean, should it take 20 minutes to pick your kid up, in the drop off lane?!
me: ummm, yeah - my kids are in private pre-school, and yeah, if you are "Mrs. I'm so Entitled" the drop-off lane is your peronal gold star parking space for being a "mom of five".... crap....choices.....or birth control
crazy lady: guns...I'm concerned about guns
me: ummmm.... what about guns?!? you can have guns in private school too - they're not exempt! ...rolling eyes....
church lady met in the parking lot: I want my kids to go to school with "like minded" kids
me: what do you mean? thinking.... FREAK, like that's "real world" preparation....ugh
church lady met in the parking lot: you know, brought up in the same type of home, pray the same
me: oh, not me - I'd drop my kids in DC if I could. I'm all about "diversity" - you know, Ex-pose-ur!
freaky woman: well, I think you'd want your kids going to private, cuz all the Chinese kids are so smart and always get the highest grades
me: restraining from punching her... I think my kids have a disadvantage... I'm their mommy! Walking away, thinking if that's the kind of kids in private, mine will be staying in the public school system
hot mommy: she really was hot, and likable. I'm not getting up that early, at least with private they don't have to be there til 9:00am... how bout you?
me: laughing, (cuz she was so honest!) nope, i'm all about buying my condo in Florida, education is so over-rated!
neighbor: you should send your kids to private so they don't have to go to school with the "poor" kids...
me: yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking... NOT!
Interestingly enough, not one person(NOT ONE!) that I've discussed the school thing with, has mentioned they're sending their kid to private for a better education. Meaning, because their kids are currently getting a sub-standard education. Our schools(NOVA) are some of the BEST in the nation, (top 100-150) however if I could send my kids to the Jewish Day School (25 miles away) and it wasn't 22k EACH (yeah, swallow that nut) - I would put my kids in private, and no, not for the educational advantage, but for the religious component. BUT, it's a two hour ++ commute each day, and I'm not putting my kids or myself through that, not to mention it's almost 45k for two kids to go to elementary school. I don't need that kind of pressure. Besides, you already know how I feel about my Florida condo.
BUT I want to discuss what is a "hot" topic of conversation in my neck of the woods these days. School. And listen up - we have good, no, GREAT SCHOOLS in the greater DC area.
Are your kids going private, or public next year? Well, the following are some of the responses I've had when discussing said topic. See for yourself, then get back to me on your views and opinions.
random lady: Are you sending your kids to private or public school next year?
me: oh, public - fur shore! why, are you considering private?
random lady: yeah, I mean, should it take 20 minutes to pick your kid up, in the drop off lane?!
me: ummm, yeah - my kids are in private pre-school, and yeah, if you are "Mrs. I'm so Entitled" the drop-off lane is your peronal gold star parking space for being a "mom of five".... crap....choices.....or birth control
crazy lady: guns...I'm concerned about guns
me: ummmm.... what about guns?!? you can have guns in private school too - they're not exempt! ...rolling eyes....
church lady met in the parking lot: I want my kids to go to school with "like minded" kids
me: what do you mean? thinking.... FREAK, like that's "real world" preparation....ugh
church lady met in the parking lot: you know, brought up in the same type of home, pray the same
me: oh, not me - I'd drop my kids in DC if I could. I'm all about "diversity" - you know, Ex-pose-ur!
freaky woman: well, I think you'd want your kids going to private, cuz all the Chinese kids are so smart and always get the highest grades
me: restraining from punching her... I think my kids have a disadvantage... I'm their mommy! Walking away, thinking if that's the kind of kids in private, mine will be staying in the public school system
hot mommy: she really was hot, and likable. I'm not getting up that early, at least with private they don't have to be there til 9:00am... how bout you?
me: laughing, (cuz she was so honest!) nope, i'm all about buying my condo in Florida, education is so over-rated!
neighbor: you should send your kids to private so they don't have to go to school with the "poor" kids...
me: yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking... NOT!
Interestingly enough, not one person(NOT ONE!) that I've discussed the school thing with, has mentioned they're sending their kid to private for a better education. Meaning, because their kids are currently getting a sub-standard education. Our schools(NOVA) are some of the BEST in the nation, (top 100-150) however if I could send my kids to the Jewish Day School (25 miles away) and it wasn't 22k EACH (yeah, swallow that nut) - I would put my kids in private, and no, not for the educational advantage, but for the religious component. BUT, it's a two hour ++ commute each day, and I'm not putting my kids or myself through that, not to mention it's almost 45k for two kids to go to elementary school. I don't need that kind of pressure. Besides, you already know how I feel about my Florida condo.
I do wish the public schools required students to wear uniforms. Boy, would my life be so easy.
So what's your thoughts?!
p.s. I only post comments that are in English.
So what's your thoughts?!
p.s. I only post comments that are in English.
Posts
14 comments:
Wow, those are interesting convos! My kid goes to public and his sisters will follow. We have no money to even consider private but I am thinking I would probably stick with public. I am invested in their education and make myself available to them and the teachers regularly. I hope you figure it out soon and are comfortable with your choices!
public public public.
we have great schools here too. We open enrolled in a different district for language immersion, and we chose schools with super high results.
Some of those comments are insane, just what is wrong with these people. rich stupid ignorant snobbish bores.
Tina, the only way my kids would go to "private" school is if it were the Jewish School, and someone dropped 500k in my bank account, cuz that's what it'd cost to keep them in the school through high school.
Hayley, you speaking my mind! That's exactly why I wouldn't put my kid in private - the sense of entitlement is repulsive!
The one lady (churh lady) told me five times where she lived...like that was supposed to impress me. Not easily impressed - unless you can get me in to see the President!
glad to see you post! Public schools are OK in the Baltimore area--we are considering a magnet school for next year.
Public magnet schools for us. I have been quite impressed with our schools fr 10 yrs. My freakout is she CAN'T be old enough to go to kindergarten...sigh.
Hi there - we are in FL - where are schools are ok/good in our city. Mu daughter (going into K this Fall) was in Private (church) prek- it was/is a wonderful school. Nice people - did I think she was getting a better education than my friends in public - well only in the religious/not putting up with problem students in the classroom (really how much could there be in prek) Anyway, after doing alot of reading on this - Jane Brown and such - she will be going to public K in the Fall. the way I figure - if she/me does not like it we can change - I knew that she would go public by 6th grade as a single mom - and looking at $14k to $17 on up to start for middle.high - is not in our budget - we like to travel - (went back to China last yr).... So diversity - it the big thing - as she was in school with blond ponytails - no offense - but she was one of 2 Asian kids - and 1 of maybe 5 kids of color in the school... The new school is A rated - and is our local school - with diversity - I agree on the uniforms - the kids look better - than "sloppey" like some kids come to school...anyway - I plan to watch her education - and the way I figure it is - with the $ saved - we can learn about places hands on - want to study European history - ok trip to London/Paris et al - time will tell. The one thing I hate - no Chinese immersion in this city - OMG don't get me started...so she has a tudor right now - loves languages and her teachers tell me she is doing amazing...
Good Luck
Carol in FL
zhouzhou@comcast.net
I'm a rising high school senior and I have gone to both public and private schools. In private school, I had caring teachers, and a good education, with religious value, and made lots of close friends. (But then again I am from S.Va. and my town is a wee bit smaller than NOVA) But. I went K-2 and High School in various public schools. I have found that the teachers, (in elementry at least) are just as caring and if the schools are rated highly, then the education is often just as great, and they often have larger or better gifted, or extra help programs. In the 3 private schools I have gone to only one has had a gifted program. I vote public, and if you dont like it after a year you can always expriment with private.
Good Luck
Lauren
lmpitek@aol.com
I'm a public school girl married to a public school boy and we are sending our girlie to private K, as we did for pre-k. there are lots of reasons, but the most important is that we are idiots.
We chose a nice house in a town that was nice and safe at the time, but was teetering on the downswing. But we could afford at the time, thinking we'd be here for 4 or 5 years. No such luck..10 years later and I am BEGGING my husband to get us out of this town...mediocre schools, major gang problems in the next town over, we've had a robbery and a smashed car window in the last 3 years.
10 years ago this town was so different...but times have changed and so has my feelings about this place. As much as I love my cute little antique house, I cannot wait to get into a more suburban setting, filled with kids and backyards with room for a swingset. The school district will be priority for me...one that is diverse and has a great arts program.
So, until I am at my job for a year (in Jan) and we can save up enough to fix up our house to sell it...we are using private schools. I won't compromise something as important as my daughter's education.
I am all for public school education - but I am completely AGAINST crappy public schools.
Everyone who was smarter than we were and bought a house in a town with excellent schools - congratulations for your forward thinking...I applaud you.
Whatever happens, keep me in the loop!
And thats what I get for commenting before reading...school vs. blog going private...my bad.
My opinion on the matter...depends on the quality of public schools in your area vs. the quality of private schools. And deciding if the cost of tuition actually buys a better education and so forth...but that does not seem to be your exact dilemma...
If it were me, I would be concerned about finding a private school not run by a religious institution...but that would be a positive point if you were a member of one of the said religious institutions and wanted your kids to be super exposed to said religion. Tough call for sure.
But then, my son is dyslexic, so all of these concerns become rather mute in the face of "he can't read!" and all my energy this last year has been focused on figuring out why he was not learning in the first place...and now I am becoming Ms. Dyslexia Expert...didn't see that one coming.
We live in an area that pays for school with property taxes so since we paid about 3x what the same house in another area cost the princesses are going public. plus, they can walk! Well, once they are old enough.
My only regret on not going private - the precious plaid uniforms! but I can always get a plain skirt and sweater set!
What did you end up doing?
HEllo! Of course I am just cruising by now.. so you probably made a choice. As a former public school teacher and two boys in the public schools- My choice might not be the same as things have changed from 9 years ago when we looked. Check each district and individual schools as to variety of offerings. What electives are offered, Makeup of kids- diversity is good.I am a BIG proponent of smaller class sizes. Our state has packed the elementary classrooms without teacher aides. I have volunteered many times and I am exhausted, amazed and completely support the teacher. Can they really give you non problem child the attention they need and deserve? NO. I couldn't and I was in the middle school. Enrichment was a luxury to my classes, most was remediation and teaching to the average- over 32 in a science class! Also, talk with some teachers, how do you feel around them - can they communicate? You will be relying on them to help you guide your daughters through their education process. Lastly, b/c I could go on for hours, does either offer creativity, exploration, and passionate teachers? Kids are so wonderfully creative - it gets beaten out of them as they get older. What ever you choose will be fine- you can change either way. We have had some great teachers and not so great through public. It will be the same in a private school.
Joann, your comment made me lol! I love your honesty and candor.
Christine, yes, we decided upon public, but it was never as issue as the nearest Jewish Day School is 45 minutes from our house, not to mention 20k per child. As for the teachers, it's too soon to tell, but I signed up to be a room mom and anything else they might need. I figured by voluteering it would allow me a birds eye view of what is being taught. BTW- what the heck do room moms do?!! ha ha .....
photographyteen, my girls went to a private Jewish pre-k. I loved the relationships that I made with the other families, but more importantly knowing that we all had an interst in our children learning the day to day Jewish traditions and customs. I miss that in public school.
Julie, us too - that's why I have an issue with paying additional monies to enroll my children in "private".....also, the private schools couldn't compete with the public schools when it came to the science programs. Wouldn't do me any good, especially being that my little wizards are going to be doctors...or hair stylist! ha ha
Ok, that said I have discovered some things about public education that makes me miss some of the things I took for granted at the private school.
One: The public school system does not acknowledge ANY of the Jewish Holidays - yet our school calendar revolves around the Christian holidays. The school system has changed Christmas and Easter breaks to be, Winter and Spring break, but we all know that's just a fancy way to try to fool everyone into thinking they're not catering to the Christian holidays. I was told the reason they don't honor the Jewish holidays, is because they would have to honor all the holidays. I have a problem that our PUBLIC school calendar discriminates against the rest of us. My tax dollars support their salaries! Also, even though religious holidays are "excusable" it is not fair that my child has to miss school so that they can celebrate with their family. It's time to change!
Two: Have learned that most of the teachers in our country opted NOT to take any sensitive training in other religions views and beliefs. And they call themselves teachers - seems very narrow minded to me. *sigh*...
Three: Have sensed some training in the classroom, which is more in line of learning inside the box, rather than outside of the box. I'm all about the big picture. Children should be allowed to color outside the line, right?!
Four: The school ask for our input, however have been told that "this is the way it's always been"....very frustrating.
Five: I feel like a prison inmate - give me an orange jumpsuit and slap a number on me. I figure that if I'm room mom, the teacher WILL get to know me....VERY WELL.
Six: I discovered the school was passing out snacks in the classroom, but with out our permission! Anyone who knows me, knows I am a control freak, and I am very picky about what my kids eat. We still haven't got this one resolved, as some of the parents are still sending in "unhealthy" snacks - ie..sugar....
The plus....I don't have to drop my kids off at schoo, rather the big yellow bus picks them up. The girls love riding the bus.
Hmm somehow your blog fell off my reader! But i'm back! Just read your post...
I went to private school for K-8 and loved it. And yes, we started at 9am. That was, of course, back when tuition was $500/yr and that broke the bank. I got a great education. Looking back at the district we lived in, it was probably a wise choice. However, I went to public school for high school and...I loved it! Maybe I just like school, but I feel pretty lucky to have gone to the schools I went to.
Our school district was really large, which meant that our bell curve student population included just as many *smart* and *honors* kids as those who were not interested in being in school. Fortunately for the top 10% of kids, that allowed us to have some fantastic honors classes with awesome teachers who loved teaching and who taught well.
I think I learned more in HS than in college (And I had to pay for college!). So, I think it's totally up to you whether you send your kids to private or public. There are so many variables in making that decision. It's totally up to you! I'd have to say, though, that those people **advocating** for private schools would've been a turnoff for me! Boy, a FL condo sounds really nice...
:)
PS are you still blogging?
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