Going from public to private school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general do public schools just not have homework in elementary school? Does it ramp up in middle and high school?

Compared to most private schools, public schools do not issue out as much homework. All of my friends kids in private school (different schools) had work over the summer - mostly reading and math. Not a single one my friends kids in various public school jurisdictions had summer assignments.

Anecdotal to be sure, but, every single kid that came from public school to my kid's private school was behind and needed to get acclimated to the work load.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot more work in parochial school. We made the switch and this year also got Summer homework. It is a lot, but I honestly appreciate there is caring about the work and we are out of the MCPS chrome book insanity.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think parochial school is known for being more academically rigorous than public. Maybe they will have more homework though. I would not commit to a ton of extracurriculars while you navigate this change.

[Anonymous]

Op - thanks. I might try and get a tutor to help with the transition. Most of it will be getting used to a new routine. We have never had daily homework or a study routine before.

[Anonymous]

What makes you think it’s more difficult? I have not really heard that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS switched from DCPS to a "big 3" in 4th grade. He was not at all behind. If anything, he had less homework.

The stereotype for elementary is that parochial schools love busy work

OP seems to be looking for real experience, not stereotypes.

[Anonymous]

We knew lots of kids who moved to parochial school in elementary and middle. While there was more homework, the parents openly stated it was to take the academic pressure off that was present in our MCPS elementary school. A few also stated they moved for the stricter discipline. None mentioned it being tougher academically. So I don’t think your kids will be behind. My son went from pubic to private (not parochial) and back to public. He was only behind in writing. The private school had very high standards for essay writing. We moved him in large part due to the better writing curriculum so this came as zero surprise.

[Anonymous]

My dd moved from public to private in 2nd grade and it was rough. She was very, very behind and I had to do a ton of help at home. The posters who are saying that it’s not a big deal are trying to justify that public school approaches to learning are working. They are not. The rigor of private school saved my daughter’s ability to read and do math. I’m positive if she had stayed in public she would have come out illiterate. Good for you for making the switch. It’s hard but worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Were your kids behind academically if they moved in the middle of elementary school? We are moving our kids (starting this year) to a local parochial school. From what I can tell there is a LOT more homework and tests in our new school compared to our old school. I am nervous our kids will be behind academically. If they are does your school help these kids catch up? They tested well in NNAT, COGAT, SOLs wand did well in their public class rooms.

If kid did well on all these standard exams and in class then they will not be behind academically and may be ahead. They may need to adjust their daily routine to accommodate more homework but otherwise should be fine. Middle ES means 3/4 grade, so any writing catchup will likely not be too big a hurdle either.

[Anonymous]

My guess is the biggest gap will be writing and grammar. I question whether those tests can assess either of these.

[Anonymous]

Your kids will be fine, though there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period.

Our kids did both at various times, and they had homework in both public and private. Here's an example that will show how it's just different. (not necessarily better or worse)

4th grade public: Eight math problems. Five are simple problems; two are word problems; one is a sort of theoretical "explore this" question.

Prepare for spelling quiz on Friday.

Color a map for Social Studies.

4th grade private: 20 math problems, 18 are simple, two are word problems.

Use each of 20 words in a sentence. Sentences must be properly constructed and work must be neat.

Social Studies: Read a chapter and answer questions in the textbook, again with proper structure and neat work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kids will be fine, though there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period.

Our kids did both at various times, and they had homework in both public and private. Here's an example that will show how it's just different. (not necessarily better or worse)

4th grade public: Eight math problems. Five are simple problems; two are word problems; one is a sort of theoretical "explore this" question.

Prepare for spelling quiz on Friday.

Color a map for Social Studies.

4th grade private: 20 math problems, 18 are simple, two are word problems.

Use each of 20 words in a sentence. Sentences must be properly constructed and work must be neat.

Social Studies: Read a chapter and answer questions in the textbook, again with proper structure and neat work.

Op - this is very helpful. I agree with the public school break down. The hardest I also agree will be writing and spelling. My DC still has lots of misspelled words and I am sure that won’t fly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kids will be fine, though there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period.

Our kids did both at various times, and they had homework in both public and private. Here's an example that will show how it's just different. (not necessarily better or worse)

4th grade public: Eight math problems. Five are simple problems; two are word problems; one is a sort of theoretical "explore this" question.

Prepare for spelling quiz on Friday.

Color a map for Social Studies.

4th grade private: 20 math problems, 18 are simple, two are word problems.

Use each of 20 words in a sentence. Sentences must be properly constructed and work must be neat.

Social Studies: Read a chapter and answer questions in the textbook, again with proper structure and neat work.

Op - this is very helpful. I agree with the public school break down. The hardest I also agree will be writing and spelling. My DC still has lots of misspelled words and I am sure that won’t fly

DP here, my experience is that the school often meets kids where they are with spelling, e.g. your kid may get extra spelling work or a different list of words from the other kids, but they'll let spelling slide when the point of the assignment is something else. Schools do vary on this.

However, most private schools expect you to work with your kid, especially on things like spelling that most parents are competent to teach. If you know your kid is weak at spelling, start working on that now at home.

[Anonymous]

The load of homework is ridiculously heavy, and so is the load of stress. I wish there were an intermediate point between public and these ridiculously demanding private schools.

[Anonymous]

Without naming the school it is impossible for anyone to really comment. My nephew hated his private and begged for public in 5th grade. He flourished in the larger school environment. Less hw but parents agreed it was more focused efficient tasks.