catholic vrs public

[Anonymous]

I am really having a heard time choosing between the two. I am not Catholic. The reason I am considering this route is because it is afordable private education. The problem is how private is it, you don't have to test to get in, there are no gifted programs compared to public. Can anyone give me a good reason to go with Catholic rather than the great little elementary school my child could attend.

[Anonymous]

We did Catholic. I'd say spend time at both of your local schools, and see which one feels right for your child. Trust your gut.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I did think Catholic would be great but whats the point if anyone can get in and there is no testing for gifted? My gut tells me I should go for the public, but that scares me too. Really wish I could afford one one of the schools that test to get in and have everyone pretty much on the same level.

[Anonymous]

what age is your child?

[Anonymous]

Why do you want private so much. Is the public option not a good one? Which public is it?

[Anonymous]

i am in your shoes but in maryland and i think we're going to go with catholic. i like the smallness of catholic which might allow better access to teachers and that teachers might speak to one another about my child's potential issues (good or bad) since the school is smaller.
if catholic does not work, you have public as a back up.
speaking with a bright teenager who has done both, she hands down rec. small private for her own access to her teachers.

[Anonymous]

A few comments -
are you sure you will get in? Many Catholic schools (the more desirable ones) have wait lists and if you are not Catholic there is no chance of getting in.

What school are you looking at? Some Catholic Schools in Virginia have class size that is larger than the publics.

Even though there is no "Gifted" program - how does the school do differentiated teaching? Has your child been tested and is he/she gifted? It might not matter.

[Anonymous]

I would not discount too that catholic schools promote catholicism and you have to be comfortable with that. It isn't for every family.

[Anonymous]

I am not religious and our public schools would have to be quite poor for me to choose this.

Keep in mind private doesn't necessarily mean better -- you have to compare what you actually have.

[Anonymous]

I get the sense that the Catholic schools in NoVa aren't as strong as those in Maryland, but I'm not sure where I got that idea from? Is there any website that compiles test results for private schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get the sense that the Catholic schools in NoVa aren't as strong as those in Maryland, but I'm not sure where I got that idea from? Is there any website that compiles test results for private schools?

This is the wonderful thing about private schools - they don't teach to the test - there is no focus on Annual Yearly Progress / NCLB. You make your evaluation of the school based on going and visiting, talking to administration, parents etc. Determine your own priorities and see if the school is a match.

[Anonymous]

If your public school is good, why not start there and see how they do? You might be surprised, I was. We started in public schools b/c my husband went to public schools ( I went to private schools) and it was important him for the kids to see a more diverse group that they'd get at private school. And to my surprise, I really like the public school. The teacher is very accessible ( I email her almost every day and get a reply), the school is very open, I go there a lot and have lunch with him ,see the teachers, I am a real nuisance, but no one seems to mind, they answer my questions, they LIKE that I'm there. He's doing well, has a great group of interesting and diverse friends ( he's the only American-born kid at his table of 5), and really enjoys the experience. Is it the most rigorous academically? Maybe not, although the test scores (yuck) are all really high, but what does that mean? I never thought I'd be saying it but, if you don't have any real compelling reason for going private beyond the fact that it must be better if you're paying for it, try the public school. You can always move later if you really don't like it.

[Anonymous]

I am familiar with only one Catholic school in our area and on the basis of just that one I would say consider very carefully. The school is smaller, yes, but the class size is almost the same as the publics ... about 25 kids with one teacher. Facilities do not come close to public. Teacher quality not as good. LOTS of emphasis on religion (attending chapel, all music taught is religious, almost all art projects religious, pressure to attend Sunday mass, etc.). Probably most important is that the first come get admitted really does lead to a less than stellar cohort.

The "positive" are fewer discipline issues thanks to a very traditional, restrictive style of classroom management, and uniforms that do away with some of the competition between kids ... emphasis on SOME. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

12:02 again. Look into the financial aid available at the good privates ... it might be more of an option for you than you think. And while the publics around here are very good, many of the privates are unbelievably great.

[Anonymous]

OP - What would you do if your child accepted Catholicism?

I really like the small classes, ethics, community spirit, and other things about small local non-elite Catholic schools, but I wouldn't send MY child because I prefer the faith I currently practice and want my child to stay with it.