One School Vs. Another (part 2)

...or What is the Big Difference Between Private and Public Schools (and what about Homeschooling)?

Part 2

In case you are interested in reading Part 1 click HERE.

So What About Private Schools

Our family has spent the last four years at a very special private Christian school in our community.  I say special because there are elements of traditional private schools that are not apparent in our school.  

There are three basic types of private schools: faith-based schools, Montessori schools and corporate owed charter schools.  Faith based schools are usually affiliated and run by a church, the charter schools are intended for a higher level of education than the public schools offered in the area, and Montessori schools are based on the research of Maria Montessori.  

Faith-Based Schools

I have researched Catholic schools, Lutheran schools, Baptist schools, and Evangelical Christian schools.  All have dress codes and I would say 99% make students wear uniforms.  All faith-based schools have tuition.  Most are around $6000-$7000 per elementary student; some cost more and some cost less.  In most cases there are additional fees for testing, books, etc.  However, I have yet to find a faith-based school that is tuition free.

My issue surrounding most faith-based schools is how the Bible is taught.  We were very privileged to have our Ladybugs attend a school in which they are taught to be free thinkers where the Bible is concerned.  They learn to ask Christ into their hearts, and they are simply taught how to be a Christian and what a Christian looks like.  They are not taught doctrine, catechism, or specific information skewed by one sect or another.  I do not like the idea of a church, priest or Christian organization running the school, and unfortunately this is the norm of faith-based schools in our area.  

I would rather maintain a Christian environment at home and have my children go to a non faith-based school than have my children learn doctrine that I have to un-teach daily.  I have heard the Christian naysayers who claim the time spent at a non-faith-based school each week (approximately 40 hours) will undo all the Christian teaching we do at home.  I completely respect this point of view, however, I believe it is child and family specific.  I like to think my children could be a representation of His light in a school with children who may not know Him.  Maybe that is me being naive, but this is my viewpoint.

Charter Schools

Charter schools tend to be tuition free, which is a nice perk, but they are not always the better school in the city/district.  I came across a lot of research on our local charter schools that did not make me want to run to register the Ladybugs.  The charter schools in our area tend to focus on our multicultural community.  Many cater to the needs of our Muslim community.  The children are taught the basics and also taught about their culture.  I do not see this working for our family. 

Montessori Schools

I know quite a few families who love the Montessori schools in our area.  Most are not tuition free, and one is a public school which has both facets of a public school and a Montessori school.  I do like the idea of mixed aged classrooms and student directed learning.  However, I believe that our girls would not benefit from a school like this.  Zoe has so many anxieties and I know she would be comparing herself to the other children, and stressing about not excelling as high as another student.  Evie would simply not care if she didn't move forward in an activity.  She would rather create and spend the day with art than anything else.

Due to the fact we are not interested in the Charter Schools or Montessori Schools in our area, I have decided to do the Pros and Cons list of ONLY Faith-Based Schools.

Pros

Christ centered

Smaller class sizes

Comfortable/familiar environment

Caring environment

Cons

Uniforms

Tuition

A sizable drive to school

In many cases teachers do not need to be certified

Church/Priest run schools