Oh, why, why, why did I choose Catholic school for my kids?

[Anonymous]

In my experience, sending kids to Catholic school is a good way of turning them against the church for life

[Anonymous]

I went to Catholic elementary school and I have a clear memory of a girl peeing in class standing up because the teacher wouldn't let her go to the bathroom. She was teased terribly about that for years after, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Catholics are going to come out in force to defend their schools. I'm Catholic, my children are older. One is finishing high school, the other is in college. The oldest went to Catholic school (elementary and high school.) I had to take my youngest out. He did not adapt well. I had notes sent home all the time because he talked, or he did not remain seated or he got out of line, etc. All things I thought the teacher should be able to handle. I was told he should be held back, but in public school he got tested and got into the GT program and did mostly honors and AP classes in high school. He excelled in public school. My daughter did just fine in Catholic school, she was the perfect student, really quiet and studious. I think they'll both do great in College, so education is about the same. There are always a million stories going around schools about their teachers and their hard methods, but you'll rarely hear a Catholic discussing it with anyone outside our faith.

And how do you account for the Protestant and Jewish PPs saying they found it hard to believe?

[Anonymous]

My DD is in a Catholic independent (non-parochial) school. Very warm atmosphere. Great academics.

Judging from comments on public schools on other DCUM threads, I guess I should consider all public schools abusive environments with terrible academics. Especially MCPS.

[Anonymous]

My daughter had to sign her name in the OOPs book for not heading her paper correctly, and then she had to "practice" during recess.

It's pretty much standard practice, hon.

We are in public, btw, after we moved.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the second year my boys go to Catholic school. I was iffy after the first year, but I wanted to keep it stable for my first grader who has made wonderful friends, a new school can be stressful for little ones that have already made friends. But I should have grabbed my boys and ran the moment my first grader crucified my kindergartner to a construction paper cross, complete with blood on the hands, feet and forehead courtesy of red marker. My kindergartner mentioned he was going to hell because the teacher told a friend he was going there if he didn't behave. I kid you not, really, really? I volunteer a bit at the school on my free days (I only work part-time.) One day I was sorting papers for an activity in the Kinder classroom. A kindergartner was particularly bouncy on his seat, he was really struggling to remain seated, which I think is normal in 5 and 6 year old boys. He wasn't making noise, just kept bouncing up of his chair. I personally would have let him work standing up, what's the harm, right? But then I'm not a teacher, so don't lynch me. Well the teacher told him to stay on his chair like 10 times, and she was getting so frustrated, and the little guy obviously struggled to do so for a long period of time. Finally, she called him to the front, and announced that the whole class could thank little boy for not having recess that day. Little boy started to cry and I was so mortified. The assistant teacher acted like it was the most normal thing. I asked my son and he told me they miss recess all the time because that little boy and another boy "suck." I reprimanded him for using the word and explained that not all children that little have an easy time staying in their seat and that it is not their fault. But to him, it was their fault because the teacher made it that way. She pinned the whole class against these children. I just want to cry. I wrote a letter to the principal, her response was the rules of the class apply to all (in a nicely written email.) My first grader keeps coming home and bolting to the bathroom because the teacher does not allow them to use the bathroom more than twice a day, even though I have emailed her about it and so have other parents. Sooo, it is public school for us next year, thank goodness we have a great one in our neighborhood.

That's a shitty teacher but that isn't Catholic school specific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son goes to a great Catholic school in Alexandria. There are children in his class that have lost their recess, but never the entire class, as his teacher is fair, stern but loving. I personally prefer more discipline in the classroom and school. Your child's teacher does sound a like a wench, though!

Losing recess is so ridiculous.

A kid is energetic and gets into trouble b/c some untrained teacher can't handle him/her. So the kid is punished by removing activity from him/her.

wtf?

- Catholic school grad who HATED it and is now a public school teacher and an EX-Catholic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter had to sign her name in the OOPs book for not heading her paper correctly, and then she had to "practice" during recess.

It's pretty much standard practice, hon.

We are in public, btw, after we moved.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the second year my boys go to Catholic school. I was iffy after the first year, but I wanted to keep it stable for my first grader who has made wonderful friends, a new school can be stressful for little ones that have already made friends. But I should have grabbed my boys and ran the moment my first grader crucified my kindergartner to a construction paper cross, complete with blood on the hands, feet and forehead courtesy of red marker. My kindergartner mentioned he was going to hell because the teacher told a friend he was going there if he didn't behave. I kid you not, really, really? I volunteer a bit at the school on my free days (I only work part-time.) One day I was sorting papers for an activity in the Kinder classroom. A kindergartner was particularly bouncy on his seat, he was really struggling to remain seated, which I think is normal in 5 and 6 year old boys. He wasn't making noise, just kept bouncing up of his chair. I personally would have let him work standing up, what's the harm, right? But then I'm not a teacher, so don't lynch me. Well the teacher told him to stay on his chair like 10 times, and she was getting so frustrated, and the little guy obviously struggled to do so for a long period of time. Finally, she called him to the front, and announced that the whole class could thank little boy for not having recess that day. Little boy started to cry and I was so mortified. The assistant teacher acted like it was the most normal thing. I asked my son and he told me they miss recess all the time because that little boy and another boy "suck." I reprimanded him for using the word and explained that not all children that little have an easy time staying in their seat and that it is not their fault. But to him, it was their fault because the teacher made it that way. She pinned the whole class against these children. I just want to cry. I wrote a letter to the principal, her response was the rules of the class apply to all (in a nicely written email.) My first grader keeps coming home and bolting to the bathroom because the teacher does not allow them to use the bathroom more than twice a day, even though I have emailed her about it and so have other parents. Sooo, it is public school for us next year, thank goodness we have a great one in our neighborhood.

That's a shitty teacher but that isn't Catholic school specific.

Oh okay. It happened to you so it's standard. Got it, "hon."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just read the thread about being over homework and thought, "Yep. This is why mine go to Catholic school." No hw in K. No more than 10 mins per grade until MS. Even in MS, HW gets done before pick up from after care. All questions about HW go to the teacher(s). Studying for tests and special projects are all very manageable.

Yes the behavioral standards are higher. Thankfully.

My daughter had 20 math problems that she could finish in 20 minutes in Catholic.

flash forward to now - She may have one math problem that can take anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes to complete b/c it's that complex. We know her reading level. She's exceeded her grade level, which wasn't brought to our attention in private school.

Many Catholic school teachers aren't experienced in pedagogy. So they prefer drills to critical thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Catholics are going to come out in force to defend their schools. I'm Catholic, my children are older. One is finishing high school, the other is in college. The oldest went to Catholic school (elementary and high school.) I had to take my youngest out. He did not adapt well. I had notes sent home all the time because he talked, or he did not remain seated or he got out of line, etc. All things I thought the teacher should be able to handle. I was told he should be held back, but in public school he got tested and got into the GT program and did mostly honors and AP classes in high school. He excelled in public school. My daughter did just fine in Catholic school, she was the perfect student, really quiet and studious. I think they'll both do great in College, so education is about the same. There are always a million stories going around schools about their teachers and their hard methods, but you'll rarely hear a Catholic discussing it with anyone outside our faith.

And how do you account for the Protestant and Jewish PPs saying they found it hard to believe?

Trolls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just read the thread about being over homework and thought, "Yep. This is why mine go to Catholic school." No hw in K. No more than 10 mins per grade until MS. Even in MS, HW gets done before pick up from after care. All questions about HW go to the teacher(s). Studying for tests and special projects are all very manageable.

Yes the behavioral standards are higher. Thankfully.

My daughter had 20 math problems that she could finish in 20 minutes in Catholic.

flash forward to now - She may have one math problem that can take anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes to complete b/c it's that complex. We know her reading level. She's exceeded her grade level, which wasn't brought to our attention in private school.

Many Catholic school teachers aren't experienced in pedagogy. So they prefer drills to critical thinking.

We're having the exact opposite experience with math and reading. I asked the zoned public ES principal how they would accommodate my DD who was performing way above grade level in math and reading. I got vague answers about applying to a HGC when she reached the appropriate grade. In her Catholic school, she was sent to a higher grade level for those two classes and rejoins her grade for the other subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd pull them. Do you have other options? Authoritarian discipline should be a thing of the past.

the last sentence said that she is switching schools next year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son goes to a great Catholic school in Alexandria. There are children in his class that have lost their recess, but never the entire class, as his teacher is fair, stern but loving. I personally prefer more discipline in the classroom and school. Your child's teacher does sound a like a wench, though!

Losing recess is so ridiculous.

A kid is energetic and gets into trouble b/c some untrained teacher can't handle him/her. So the kid is punished by removing activity from him/her.

wtf?

- Catholic school grad who HATED it and is now a public school teacher and an EX-Catholic

That would be against the law in DCPS under the DC Healthy Schools Act. Teachers may not withhold physical activity (recess or PE) as punishment (no doubt some still do it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the second year my boys go to Catholic school. I was iffy after the first year, but I wanted to keep it stable for my first grader who has made wonderful friends, a new school can be stressful for little ones that have already made friends. But I should have grabbed my boys and ran the moment my first grader crucified my kindergartner to a construction paper cross, complete with blood on the hands, feet and forehead courtesy of red marker. My kindergartner mentioned he was going to hell because the teacher told a friend he was going there if he didn't behave. I kid you not, really, really? I volunteer a bit at the school on my free days (I only work part-time.) One day I was sorting papers for an activity in the Kinder classroom. A kindergartner was particularly bouncy on his seat, he was really struggling to remain seated, which I think is normal in 5 and 6 year old boys. He wasn't making noise, just kept bouncing up of his chair. I personally would have let him work standing up, what's the harm, right? But then I'm not a teacher, so don't lynch me. Well the teacher told him to stay on his chair like 10 times, and she was getting so frustrated, and the little guy obviously struggled to do so for a long period of time. Finally, she called him to the front, and announced that the whole class could thank little boy for not having recess that day. Little boy started to cry and I was so mortified. The assistant teacher acted like it was the most normal thing. I asked my son and he told me they miss recess all the time because that little boy and another boy "suck." I reprimanded him for using the word and explained that not all children that little have an easy time staying in their seat and that it is not their fault. But to him, it was their fault because the teacher made it that way. She pinned the whole class against these children. I just want to cry. I wrote a letter to the principal, her response was the rules of the class apply to all (in a nicely written email.) My first grader keeps coming home and bolting to the bathroom because the teacher does not allow them to use the bathroom more than twice a day, even though I have emailed her about it and so have other parents. Sooo, it is public school for us next year, thank goodness we have a great one in our neighborhood.

Okay, I'm sorry, but that is funny! LOL Definitely a story you'll look back on and tell when the kids are older!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son goes to a great Catholic school in Alexandria. There are children in his class that have lost their recess, but never the entire class, as his teacher is fair, stern but loving. I personally prefer more discipline in the classroom and school. Your child's teacher does sound a like a wench, though!

Losing recess is so ridiculous.

A kid is energetic and gets into trouble b/c some untrained teacher can't handle him/her. So the kid is punished by removing activity from him/her.

wtf?

- Catholic school grad who HATED it and is now a public school teacher and an EX-Catholic

It happened in my older DS1's FCPS elementary 10 years ago and it happened in my DS4's Catholic elementary last week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the second year my boys go to Catholic school. I was iffy after the first year, but I wanted to keep it stable for my first grader who has made wonderful friends, a new school can be stressful for little ones that have already made friends. But I should have grabbed my boys and ran the moment my first grader crucified my kindergartner to a construction paper cross, complete with blood on the hands, feet and forehead courtesy of red marker. My kindergartner mentioned he was going to hell because the teacher told a friend he was going there if he didn't behave. I kid you not, really, really? I volunteer a bit at the school on my free days (I only work part-time.) One day I was sorting papers for an activity in the Kinder classroom. A kindergartner was particularly bouncy on his seat, he was really struggling to remain seated, which I think is normal in 5 and 6 year old boys. He wasn't making noise, just kept bouncing up of his chair. I personally would have let him work standing up, what's the harm, right? But then I'm not a teacher, so don't lynch me. Well the teacher told him to stay on his chair like 10 times, and she was getting so frustrated, and the little guy obviously struggled to do so for a long period of time. Finally, she called him to the front, and announced that the whole class could thank little boy for not having recess that day. Little boy started to cry and I was so mortified. The assistant teacher acted like it was the most normal thing. I asked my son and he told me they miss recess all the time because that little boy and another boy "suck." I reprimanded him for using the word and explained that not all children that little have an easy time staying in their seat and that it is not their fault. But to him, it was their fault because the teacher made it that way. She pinned the whole class against these children. I just want to cry. I wrote a letter to the principal, her response was the rules of the class apply to all (in a nicely written email.) My first grader keeps coming home and bolting to the bathroom because the teacher does not allow them to use the bathroom more than twice a day, even though I have emailed her about it and so have other parents. Sooo, it is public school for us next year, thank goodness we have a great one in our neighborhood.

We had a very similar experience. There were a lot of parents complaining about a bully teacher in first grade. What did the school do? They moved her to Kinder, where the kids are even less likely to speak up. It was beyond frustrating so I pulled. My children out and they are incredibly happy in our neighborhood's school.