Public VS Private Schools ??

[francine]

And the other part was that if I can't make the money part happen, then how do I make the public school experience a viable one?? What do I ask them? What do I look for? There are 3 elementary schools I can look at and get her moved into just because there may be more special needs services at one over another, etc. I'm just so at odds. Part of me is so sad, too - I feel like I'm going to lose my baby. I didn't get enough time with her being a baby and now that part is gone and she's growing up and boy does that make me sad. Ok I better stop now. OH this sucks!

[admin]

I think every school is so different and every teacher is sooo different. Some private schools have very nurturing philosophys so they may tend to be more sensitive to each child's individual needs. I would really start looking into different schools and start observing different classes and teachers. That has been what has worked best for us.

We have done it all - public, charter and private. Our best experience private but we couldn't continue to afford it. I don't think all private schools are better then all public by any means. It really just depends on the school. I do think that the student teacher ratio is VERY important and makes a big difference from teacher/child interaction and attention, to parent/teacher communication. It seems to make a big difference.

I pulled my daughter out of public school in 2nd grade, at least regular public school. She has been in private and charters until she started high school. I would do it the same again. You are very involved and will fight for the best for your child. It will be a fight and something you have to stay on top of, most likely even in a private school. She will be fine. Good luck.

[christy]

Ah Rich, I was just getting ready to say--ask Rich about the public school issues! This is what I intend to do! You are a wealth of information that is greatly needed and helpful--THANKS

[Missy K]

Hi Francine,

My brother and I grew up going to private school and it had it's ups and down. But I am very appreciative in retrospect for being able to go to private.

We send Mitchell to private school for a couple of reasons. First, he's getting a christian education and for us, that's important. Secondly, the city we live in is quite large and the thought of sending our kids to public school here scares the heck out of me.

The school he attends have grades K-8 and his class this year has 16 kids. When the kids are young (K-4) they are paired up with an older buddy that accompanies them to chapel and various school activities. Kind of like a mentoring deal. I feel safe with him there. I don't have to worry if he's being picked on and I feel that he's being well cared for, taught well and his teacher shows a genuine intrest in his injury/recovery. She even stays in with him during recess and reads and does games with him to keep him company while he's in his splint.

I know I'm babbling...Sorry. Cost is an issue for us too, some months but we manage to swing it. If it's important enough you just find a way.

Good luck with your decision. The place you're thinking of sounds wonderful!

Missy

[Alice--Josh'smom]

Francine I agree with Rich. You can get what you want from a public school, but most of the time you have to fight for it. My son started kindergarten this past September. I am happy he got OT and speech each 2xs a week. Boy did I have to fight for it, but he got it. Believe it or not there is a girl in kindergarten in the same school that has a BPI, but she has NO services. The mother didnt fight for them, so of course the school isnt just going to OFFER them, so she has none. Its weird. Make sure you volunteer in the classroom to observe, make sure you know the principal and superintendant and of course research about teachers. I was very, very lucky my son got a wonderful teacher. Our school has an input form that you fill out and tell about your child, which helps them place your child with a teacher. Well it helped for me. My son just loves his teacher. She is so kind and understanding. Are all teachers, Not really, should they be, yes but... From what I was told kindergarten ISNT mandatory!!!Hope this helps.

[Nettie]

This is a tough topic and decision no matter what your situation is. We too struggled to make the "right" choice. We also feel that it is a child by child, case by case decision. Some private are wonderful(I am including parochial as well in this group) and some not so wonderful, same as for public school systems. It depends on the teachers, administrative team willing to listen and be helpful, etc. We live in a community of about 24,000. Lots of parochial schools and have found through our experience that our church school is great for the average Joe, but the child that needs specialized services, be it for delays or advanced studies, gets lost because, it may not be recognized and they don't have the tools available to offer the services. Our daughter who has developmental delays has been in the system since she was three and we chose public school for her. We have had to fight to keep her integrated in the classroom at all times except for speech and have the classroom be adapted to her needs at times. So far, it has been a wonderful experience and she has made great gains so far in kindergarten. We do however, have to have her transported across town, but this inconvenience has been worth it for us and her. She has absolutely the best teacher, what a wonderful start to her education and the IEP team administratively has been receptive to us. I feel knowing what you have a right to really helps, because as someone said they will not offer anything. You have to say, well I expect this and that and I know based on this law you need to accommodate us and our child. My son with BPI has also not qualifed for services as he has tested to high during his evaluation for services, but he is still in preschool and I am worried about gym class in the future. I am sure it will be a fight to some degree. My brother is the head of student services in a large metropolis school district and he has spent his entire career working with these programs, so I am lucky in that he has been my mentor and guide and has offered some wonderful sage advice to his baby sister on how to get what you want and need effectively without ticking anyone off. I just get so crazy and passionate for trying to get what my kids need and I get a little agitated when someone who doesn't have any personal experience dealing with what we deal with on a day to day basis tell me no they don't qualify. So Francine, I wish you the best of luck with your decision and I know Maia will get what she needs and you will make the right decision for Maia as you have proven to be a wonderful support for her.