Schools

[Jill]

in the past 10 years the danger of public school systems have been rising. What are your thoughts about homeschooling or private school?

Even before Trent was born, we decided that he is going to go a private school. I dont even care if it is Catholic. the thought of turning on the news and seeing my sons school on the news just puts a knot in my stomach.

[MichelleB]

Working in the public school system in Florida has given me a lot of insight. Not ALL public schools are bad. And not ALL private schools are good. Honestly I prefer the magnet or Montessori schools. I was in public school for K-5 then I was in a magnet school until I graduated. Honestly, I think the curriculum is better, and those types of schools have better teachers.

I don't want Taylor in public school, but that doesn't mean they are all bad. Every school has individual pros and cons.

[Becca]

That's a bridge that I think I'm going to cross when I get to it. I have considered home schooling, but really want my child to be able to experience the social side of public or private school. I've still got some years before I need to really think about it...so...I suppose for now I'm undecided.

[Kym]

I agree with MichelleB. Not all public schools are bad and not all private schools are good. We have our son in a public school because he wanted to be. Our dd is in a private school for some personal reasons. When we move again, they may both go to public or both go to private.

[Cat]

oh i would love it if Robbie could go to a montessori school. i went to a montessori school from grade 1 to about grade 3 and i love their teaching approach. i felt i learn alot better by doing and seeing and touching. hands on learning. I dont know though if we could afford to send him to a private school so he will probably end up going to a charter school or a public school but i will be extremely picky about where we are gonna live and what school he goes too.

[sdshorty]

I work for a public charter school that is based soley on homeschooling/independant study. Before I started working here, although I didn't have much faith in the public school system, I never thought homeschooling was any better. However, I came to soon realize, not all of it is the same. That is why I love the school I work for so much, because kids here get a little bit of everything, and they just SOAR in achievement, Many of them where they were considered failure students in the regular public school. Our program offers homeschool parents, the individual support with credentialed teachers and onsite classes to supplement their homeschooling, and because we are a public charter school, we are able to even provide families with financial support for supplies and they can use ANYTHING they want to teach their kids, they have no restrictions.
So to answer the question, no I don't think all public schools are bad, but I do feel they are failing kids in America in general. The benefit of public school I see as way too small (such as interaction with other kids) and that can be gained through other means when in a homeschool environment such as the one we offer. Kids in our program have TONS of occasions where they can interact with other kids, such as field trips and 1-2 day classes at our learning centers. I would LOVE to see more programs like the one we offer here around the country, our success rate is incredible. However there is ONE major key factor involved here.....PARENTS. Parent MUST care enough and make up their mind to dedicate enough time to their children to make it happen. Obviously with homeschooling parents need to dedicate the time, so unless parents are willing to do what it takes for the success of their child, it will NOT work. I feel the same way about parents in the regular public schools, I don't think its that they don't care, I think its that they dont try hard enough to make special time to dedicate just to their kids. No matter how hard a parent works, they can ALWAYS find time for their kids. If you can find time to watch tv, or do some other down time activity, then you can find time for your kids.

[SIMMYBABEZ]

Its hard to say as i don't know the schooling system like i do here.

Public school is actually better then Private here. The schools have more funding and the curriculm is much better. Drugs & bullying is the same amount in every school. We don't have to go through a metal detector before we get into school aswell. So its quite different.

All i can say about home schooling is-

I don't think its good for the child at the earlier stages of learning. I think they need to learn vital social skills only school can teach. Making friends, meeting new people etc. I have noticed home schooled children coming to school and they were quiet or didn't make friends as easy etc.

But with that being said- i think once a child has learnt the vital social skills- it can be a very good thing for them, if they were to get into home schooling.

My sister did that and her grades increased from average- to above average. She ended up getting letters from our state premier congratulating her on her awesome work.

It also depends on the child, and their personality. Some kids can't be in homeschool cos they want to be able to sit with their friends, hang out with them all day etc.

[Caimbrie]

I've considered home schooling. I went to 3 private schools and my younger sister went to a 4th that I didn't go to... A LOT of crap goes on in private schools too.. it's just kept hush hush. There were actually things going on the the private schools that would not fly in a public school. My sisters high school was a top rated private school. Students were allowed to go in the woods or into empty classes to smoke pot and do other drugs. There were "game rooms" where student would go if they didn't feel like going to class. My sister spent most of her days playing video games... but still passed. Since parents paid for thier kids to go there the teachers passed them even if they did no work. There are many others the same way, not just that one.

So after 11 years of expensive private schools.. my sister dropped out.. has no diploma and lives with her b/f mooching off of his parents. She's now 21 and has never had a job.

My kids are going to a private! I know what you mean! I wwent to a country bumpkin school, and my best friend from hs told me there are metal dectors in there now! That just flew me to the floor............

[Potatocup]

I think it all depends on where you are. If you live in an area with good public schools, don't see why my daughter couldn't go there. If they aren't good, then private schools if they are good.

I don't really like the idea of homeschooling because I think the kids miss the social aspect of school and of everything you learn in school that is one of the most important for real life. You can be awesome at math or science or literature, but if you can't communicate with others you will have trouble in the job world. Also, you miss the opporunity for school-based extracurriculars (sports, band, clubs).