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What Our Readers Think: Public vs. Private Schools

Readers tell their preference for public vs. private schools, based on their personal experiences.

By GreatSchools.net Staff

Readers express very personal reactions to our article: Private vs. Public Schools: What’s the Difference? Some favor public schools, others choose private. Several readers attended both types of schools and weigh the pros and cons.

In favor of public schools

More on GreatSchools.net
Private vs. Public Schools:What's the Difference?
Choosing a School: An Overview

From Virginia:
"Public school helped me to be more independent, and not rely on others. Also there is a good diversity at my school."

In favor of private schools
From Wisconsin:
"I think private school teaches you better morals, and you are just in a better environment, and what I have seen, is that kids from private school are more educated from private schools."

It all depends on the student’s needs.
From California:
"The rule of thumb in our school district is that private school is best suited for those who require a great deal of hand-holding."

It all depends on the quality of the particular school.
From Missouri:
"I attended public and parochial schools and currently have children in both. Every area is different and there is even a huge disparity in the quality of education between schools within the same district. I found that a good foundation is the answer for us. My oldest is a senior in public and is excelling in his work, but attribute that to the foundation he received in a Lutheran school through 8th grade. My youngest attends an Assembly of God Private school in 4th grade and there's no comparing him academically. I am incredibly involved in both schools and believe that this is key to any child's success - whichever route you choose."

From Washington:
"I went to public schools, was homeschooled, and went to private schools, not necessarily in that order. The quality of education is dependent on the particular school, not where the funding comes from.

"The best schools I went to were public schools. The idea that being privately funded makes a school better is ridiculous. What makes a school better is the background and dedication of the teachers and administrators and the background of the students.

"By the way, although requirements vary from state to state, most states require (at least at the secondary level) that teachers have a degree in the content area they teach, rather than a generalist education degree, for certification. In my state, since public schools generally spend a larger portion of their budget on teacher salaries and mandated maximum class sizes are low, public schools usually attract more qualified, more professional, more experienced teachers.

"The difference from state to state, district to district, and school to school can be great. In my state, where public schools are (in most districts) excellent, private schools are largely populated by students who have been expelled from the public schools for behavior problems. In a neighboring state, where public schools are overwhelmed by unruly students and grossly underfunded, private schools are populated largely by those wishing to escape the conditions at the public schools.

"We are considering sending our daughter to private school, so that she can avoid dealings with out-of-ontrol students. Although her teachers would not be as good in private school, they would be able to focus more of their time and energy on teaching, with less wasted on behavior management."

March 2006

Comments From GreatSchools.net Users

05/8/2008:

"There is far less teaching going on in public schools. If you know children who attend private schools, you can check out the curriculum. You will find there is no comparison."

05/8/2008:

"There is far less teaching going on in public schools. If you know children who attend private schools, you can check out the curriculum. You will find there is no comparison."

04/29/2008:

"My son attended a private Montessori preschool and is now in public school. We were extremely happy with his preschool education, and it gave him a strong foundation. The school was rich in diversity as is his current school. Now, in first grade our son is doing well, but we had to ask the teacher twice for more challenging math problems at our son's request. She has helped him immensely with his writing skills, but he also needs more challenging reading material. He qualified for a higher learning program that meets once a week and enjoys it very much. All in all, I'm satisfied with the public school education, and we are fine supplementing it at home with extra math and reading. I'm most happy about the education he's receiving in his new social environment. I think too many people neglect socialization as a part of education these days. The social skills our son will learn in a public school with high diversity will last a lifetime. After all, we want our children to be independent and function in the real world - don't we??? "

04/25/2008:

"Best book on the topic - Academy X by Andrew Trees. A very funny book too, and a great summer read. "

04/23/2008:

"On my personal behalf, I think private schools are better, hence it's name. I am a student at a private school and the children in my class are a lot nicer than the ones at my old public school. Even though you have to pay, it's worth it. They also don't judge your religion, which is helpful. I recommend going to a private school."

04/23/2008:

"I personally think private schools are a much better choice, because the kids get more attention then they would at a public school. My children attend a private school, and have many friends with good backgrounds. I would choose a private school, rather than a public government school. The private school is the way to go. Consider it, really."

04/22/2008:

"Im sorry, but I think public schools are better. They make you independent and you learn to make good choices. Also not only are there programs for falling behind children,but for exelling kids to. There is also good programs like D.A.R.E everywhere. I went to private school, but I alwayes noticed how some teachers didn't have the same knowledge and control as public schools. I believe to go to whatever suites you. Theres great public schools,and exellent private schools."

04/15/2008:

"I have seen the tragedy of public schools with my own daughter. We ahd her in private school fro preschool through Kindergarten. Then we bought a house and couldn't afford the school. Steadily, after 5th grade we saw a decline in attention to her needs. Overwought with non English students she was lost in the shuffle. So we found a way and put her in private. She continues through high school, until an administrative blunder forced us to send her back to public. WHAT A MISTAKE!!! She never completed high school. Well, suffice it to say we have learned our lesson and we are blessed with family help to send our 2 younger girls to private. I would sacrifice anything before I pull them out! I hate the assumption that only 'rich' kids go to private school. When in fact I know first hand the struggles and sacrifice families make to send their children to our school. We are blessed with financial assistance, and a very driven PTL group that raises funds. We have a secure campus, sm! all classes, double accreditation, certified teaching staff (with low turn over), computer classes,focused learning and so much more! "

04/14/2008:

"my child has had a horrible year in 2nd grade he came from B honor roll every six weeks in first grade to failing math in second... our teacher is older and closing in on her last year before retirement, I have done volunteer work/observation and feel that the classroom structure is lacking.....she referred my child for and occupational therapy evaluation (I as a Physical Therapist felt it ridiculous) and his peditrician referred him for a physcologial eval which proved that he 'might' have ADD (attentive type) but after following up with the teacher the MD felt further counseling/intervention unneccesary--forgive the rambling my question is do I continue public schools chalking this up to a bad teacher (I have friends at this school who are teachers and agree) or do I move him to private schools to maximize education next year"

04/7/2008:

"My children go to single sex private schools - we are very happy with our choice. Everyone is different and there is no right answer - each family must make their own decision and not criticize others as there are so many things to consider, like where you live, what your child is like, etc. I personally like all girl and all boy schools, but my kids live in the city and also have lots of contact with kids of the opposite sex on a regular basis and are not too sheltered."

03/28/2008:

"Do not judge private/public schools until you have looked at both sides of the story. My mom went to a public school in Raleigh and loved it because they have a great public school system there. I go to private school in charlotte and love it because there are many great private schools in charlotte. The only thing I can really say is, look at the area you live in and see which ones look better for your school."

03/27/2008:

"I went to a public school since I was in kindergarden, then switched when I was a junior in high school. In my opinion, a public school has more activities and electives offered. If you want to send your child to a private school just so they don't get into drugs or alcohol, that won't necessary solve the problem. BE CAREFUL. I guess it just depends what city you live in- every city is different."

03/24/2008:

"private schools dont reflect of the real world..."

03/19/2008:

"In the era of No Child Left Behind....what is being left behind in the public schools is arts, music, culture, languages, enrichment programs, after school sports etc. It was unbelievable to us that in our top rated PA school district that the kids weren't being taught another language until 6th or 7th grade. All studies show that children can and should learn a language starting in Kindergarten when their minds are like sponges. Also, No Child Left Behind ensures that public schools now are only interested in test scores. News Flash- there is a tremendous amount of learning that happens outside of test taking. We never considered private school for elementary education (we based our entire home buying on the school district)- but once we peeled back the onion we saw what was going on and were completely deflated. Our Public School system needs serious help. I just feel sorry for those who don't live in a top school district where those PSA and SAT scores dictate even! more so, how much funding they will get. Socioeconomics and whether or not parents are college educated are directly correlated with academic performance. We likely won't be able to afford private school the whole way, but as long as we can we will try to provide this for our children as education is an investment in our children we hope we can make. Unless the public schools go back to like they were when we were young."

03/17/2008:

"I have taught in both public and private schools. My child attended public school for Kindergarten and First grade. He now attends a Christian school. The teachers at my sons schools all choose to teach there and most chose to leave public schools. I disagree that the private school teachers are not as good as public school teachers. When I taught in private, the teachers were great and loved what they did. Some public school teachers that I work with are very negative and dislike their job. "

03/17/2008:

"I went to a private grammar school and then on to public highschool. I think that was the worst move I could have made. Accademically I did wonderful in private, not so good in public. The behavior in public this public school is completely out of control. Private school offers a child more of a developmental route than public. Children come out acting like kind, helpful, and thoughtful people. They have a more rounded learning system. Just because they don't use state curriculum completely, its ok. children have more self esteem, they value another's life and feelings. They carry it through life. Public school offers none of that. I currently drive a school bus for my old highschool. The behavior is ridiculous. I have water bottles thrown at me while driving, kids swearing horribly even though you ask them to stop because my small kids are on the bus they tell you where to go. These kids are taught basic learning levels of subjects and that's it. I am also bac! k in college and I can apply more to my studies from what I learned in private school then I ever will be able to from public. Go private if you want your child to be a human not an animal."

03/13/2008:

"We have had our children in both public and private. The private school out performed our public school by MILES. But you still find mead kids and parents in private settings, just as we found in the public school. Our experience in the public school was the teachers were their because it was a job. No one teacher went out of their way to help us with a child with disabilities. They ignored them, pretty much tolds us if you don't like it here find another school. Yes a public school. Legally they may not be able to kick you out but they can make your child and your life misereable. It would take an act of God for us to send our children back to a public school. We would love to save the money for college, but they might not make it with our public school!"

03/13/2008:

"03/12/08 To the reader who stated that a good reason to send your child to a public school is that 'it is free' let me remind you that it is not! Tax dollars pay for the public school. I personally attended both and can say that my experience with private was better. Public schools have to deal with the disciplinary problems which detract from the educational process. There is an element of society that I prefer my children avoid. In a public school you have no choice."

03/11/2008:

"I think it is a misconception that the teachers in private school are in any way less qualified, less professional or less experienced. Many of these teachers have taught in the public schools and have chosen to teach in a more disciplined, professional environment. Indeed, they make less money but that only points to their dedication to teaching. And I've never heard of a private school tolerating students with severe behavior problems. That's one of the benefits of private education- those who can't follow the rules are removed. My husband teaches in a public school in a very good district. However, he feels our children's curriculum is much better. "

03/10/2008:

"Requirements for teachers varies greatly from area to area. For instance, in Tennessee, you can be a public school teacher if you have a four-year degree (in anything, it does not need to be in education) and you have a teacher's certificate. A large number of the private schools here, however, require masters and a great deal of the teachers, at the better private schools, have p.h.d.s In short, the idea that public schools have better teachers, is ridiculous. I maintain that both public and private schools have excellent teacher. The teachers at most public schools are just over whelmed with the sheer numbers of children in their classrooms and the lack of funds."

03/10/2008:

"I attended private and public schools, public K-8 and private 9-12. There is absolutely no comparison. Public schools push everyone through because it's policy. I failed two classes in public school, 2 credits each, and recieved all four credits. Plus my school had an environment of fear. I attended a private high school and my parents were notified within the first two weeks if I was not passing. It happened once and they threatened to send me back to public if it happened again. Needless to say, it never did happen again, and I never missed the B honor roll. Don't compare the two unless you have attended both because your arguement won't hold water. "

03/10/2008:

"what matters about raising the kids the first of all the home... the way you raise your kids.. explain the world for them.. and raise them is what create the reflection of the school on them... private.. public.. home schooling.. the first element is the child .. and then the school."

03/6/2008:

"private and public schools can both be great. at the private school that I go to, all of my teachers are fantastic and they are totally qualified. "

03/5/2008:

"My sons attend what is termed an 'excellent', California Distinguished School High School. However, there are some 'clunker' teachers and unfortunately they predominate in the science and math depts. If a private school guaranteed well educated and great teachers in these two disciplines, I would send my sons there in a second. Other things observed; Unless your student is in the honors/AP program in this public high school, they deal with a lot of out-of-control behavior with the other students in the college prep classes. Hindsight, I would have insisted my second son attend the honors classes instead of college prep. "

03/5/2008:

"The public/private school decision should be based on a comparision of the actual schools your child will go to. In Fort Worth,TX I recommend private school not FWISD. All the NAIS private schools in the Fort Worth area provides a great education and your child is safe. FWISD has poor test scores and more over paid administrators who don't know what is needed in today's classroom. The principals make their own rules for their school so there is no consitancy. Several times in a school year the district changes its plans for what and how to teach. Few of the FWISD schools have discipline. If you value education and live in FOrt Worth go private. "

03/5/2008:

"In answer to the person who said that you learn better morales in private school that is not true in all cases. I taught in a private school that my four children went to as well. I recently put my younger children in public school and let me tell you I have seen more kindness love and caring in public school. Maybe it was just the school and the area we live in but I had to remove my children from a very negative social enviornment. Quite a few parents were mean. If you are talking about out of control students don't fool yourself children in private schools are far from perfect. I was once the same way a private school judgemental Mom."

02/27/2008:

"I think that private schools OFTEN provide a better education with better morals. From what I've seen kids from private schools are much better behaved and and taught better."

02/26/2008:

"One good reason to send your child to a public school is it is FREE! Public schools also have other reasons including teachers who care and want your child to excel, your child learns independence, learns about diversity and other culutres, along with offering lots of extracirricular activities. SAVE your money for your childs College Education which is more important than paying upwards of $5,000* for kindergarten *accurate ammount for one year of private school in MN"

02/26/2008:

"Public Schools are the best way to show your child different cultures along with getting them to accept diversity. Private schools don't always have the best morals, I go to a private university but came from a public high school and most of the kids that do not come to class came from private schools. Public schools help you become independent and accept diversity, all important aspects of the real world. "

02/25/2008:

"I went to private lower school & high schools. Now that I am enrolled in a public state school, I have found that though in a private school I was considered an average student, I compete with students who graduated at the top of their classes at public high schools. Sure, different schools meet the needs of differetn students. From my experience with those around me, no matter what state my peers are from, I have been better prepared for college than students who attended public high schools. There is no doubt that going to a private high school has shaped my perception of the world and increased my motivation to work hard. "