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Can teachers answer this question please?
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Anonymous
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I hope that teachers can weigh in here. I want to know if you think that private school is worth it if you live in the suburbs?
I would like to hear from teachers at both private and public schools. Please be as sincere as possible. |
Anonymous
| I am a high school teacher in Fairfax County and we are considering sending our kids to private school in Arlington. Mostly because of my frustration with discipline issues at my school. There are really no consequences for students here who misbehave and it can get very frustrating. We have a student here who stole a cell phone from another student and was caught with a large stash of prescription meds. He was recommended for expulsion, but is being allowed to return. Why? I don't really know because it is all confidential, but that was the ruling. Of course, there are a lot of other things we need to look into as far as the schools in our neighborhood (public and private) and since my oldest is only 2, we haven't really done that yet. But it is something we are considering, if not for elementary, at least for high school. We would probably do Catholic school since DH is Catholic. I am not Catholic, but I do like the idea of instilling respect for elders and have for their teachers and the lack of consequences for discipline issues is really aggravating. I don't feel valued as a teacher and I feel badly for the students who really want to work and learn, but are hindered from doing that because of students who continually goof off. I am not saying that private schools don't have discipline issues because I am sure they do, but at least their are consequences for the students who choose to act out instead of trying to learn. |
Anonymous
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One of my good friends was a private school teacher and she could have written the above post posted by a publc school teacher. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. The students she taught had discipline problems stemming from a sense of self-entitlement. Drugs and sex on campus, the same things you find at public schools happen just as much at a private school. The headmaster would refuse to discipline since this would compromise the donations coming in from these student's parents. She was at her wits end because some of these students knew they could NEVER get in trouble and they acted accordingly. And, what's worse, is that since these schools depend on private funding (and not public funding through our taxes) there is a big incentve to keep mum about anything that could stir up bad publicity. She feels that most of the bad behavior comes from parenting-but that is a whole different, yet facinating, topic.
I've asked her the same question you ask and her response is she would choose public. Youhave to realize that you will find the same issues at ALL schools. Putting that aside, your decision will come down to $$$, school name (not all private schools have the cache to get your child into an Ivy League, teaching programs-public schools teach the same programs at all schools-not necessarily a bad thing, private schools have a different methods they practice (some may emphasize the arts, etc.), public school teachers are certified-private school teachers aren't (again, not necessarily a bad thing), teacher to student ratios-vary in public schools, but are usually more favorable in a private school. |
mebrown
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Definitely look into the teacher selection criteria at a Private School...I know public schools, at least Fairfax County, do criminal background checks and teachers must be certified. I know of many a public school teacher who have "resigned" from the system for a variety of reasons where no charges were pressed, only to end up teaching at an area private school.
I am a public school teacher at the high school level and I agree with one of the other responses that student accountablity is lacking. I have found a direct correlation at my school to the kids who are doing well and acting right and what kind of parents they have. Yes, the schools must take responsibilty for time they have the kids, but so do parents and families. Get involved with your child's school and their education, don't look to the school system to raise your child, and work as a team with whatever school you end up sending your child to. |
Anonymous
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I agree with one of the PPs. It's funny, I've asked myself this same question in the city. The suburbs question stretches the dilemma even more, but I think my take on this is applicable. I have friends with kids in areas private schools where they are paying $25,000 a year. I myself am paying even more. However, my son is in one of the "Ivies" so to speak, and I do believe for the name and incredible academic reputation, and given the fact that I certainly would at least want to send him to private school (that is, for me the public area middle school is not an option), I certainly am getting my money's worth for paying perhaps $5-7 thousand more than another private school.
For the suburbs, especially if you're in a good school district, to make private school worthwhile, I believe it would have to be either a type of learning you desire but are absolutely not going to get in your public school (ie Catholic education, or French immersion), or it would have to be one of the top schools. I don't think it would be worth it to fork out $25K a year for the middle tier DC private schools, which really exist just as an alternative to the bad public schools. |
Anonymous
Have to disagree with this post. Cost does not make the school. As a matter of fact, I think some of the worst kids are at the most expensive schools. They have no parental involment b/c both parents are working their asses off to pay for the education. I would find a school that has great parental involment, not just money. That is what makes a great school. The really expensive schools would not want to loose a family b/c of disipline problems. Kids are stuck up b/e they think they are at the best. Really, to call theses schools "ivies" is silly. I would never allow my children to attend this type of school. The enviroment is entitlement. My child is attending a middle of the road for price private school. The families there are wonderful, kids are great, they are kids, not little grown up stuck up brats. Look at all your options and don't let the "ivies" sway your decsions. |
Anonymous
| resentful much? |
Anonymous
what is recentful about this post, it is truthful. Not every one thinks the best are the most expensive. I can think of a few very expensive schools I would not let my children attend if they paid me. I do not want my children around people like that, shallow, entitled. |
Anonymous
| OP. Are you all teachers? |
Anonymous
| I am the first poster and yes, I am a teacher. I think it really depends on the private school. We are looking at Catholic school where yes, they cost money, but certainly not $25,000 a year. I really think you need to look at each school individually, but in general I do like the idea that in a private school, the students can be kicked out for discipline issues and for the most part in Catholic schools, there is an emphasis on respect for elders. My DH went to Catholic from elementary through college and he is one of the most polite, respectful people I know - to everyone! Of course part of that was his upbringing, but I also believe that a lot of that is due to his attending Catholic school. |
Anonymous
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Have to disagree with this post. Cost does not make the school. As a matter of fact, I think some of the worst kids are at the most expensive schools. They have no parental involment b/c both parents are working their asses off to pay for the education. I would find a school that has great parental involment, not just money. That is what makes a great school. The really expensive schools would not want to loose a family b/c of disipline problems. Kids are stuck up b/e they think they are at the best. Really, to call theses schools "ivies" is silly. I would never allow my children to attend this type of school. The enviroment is entitlement. My child is attending a middle of the road for price private school. The families there are wonderful, kids are great, they are kids, not little grown up stuck up brats. Look at all your options and don't let the "ivies" sway your decsions. How do you know all this? Have you attended or have you kids attended any of these schools? Unless that is the case your arguments are pretty much just conjecture. |
Anonymous
| 08:56 Do you teach in a private or public school? |
Anonymous
| 8:56 - I teach in a public school. I also was the first responder - 10:46. |
Anonymous
| I have heard of a number of public school teachers using private schools to educate their kids. Interesting. |