So it's the end of the semester and another field study has been completed. If you don't know, or don't have me on Facebook, I worked at St. Thomas in Sanford this time. I really enjoyed working with my kiddos and miss them very much. But I have learned that I have a few opinions about the public vs. private debate.
My mom was actually one of the big "defenders" of private school (for the purpose of this blog I am calling private school = catholic school). She went to the local one in Biddeford. If it was affordable she and Dad both said that they would have wanted my brother and I to go. But with rising costs and two kids that wasn't possible. I started in private school but moved once I was held back and was joined by my younger brother.
Now, keep in mind I have friends who went and have children who go to private school, with that being said: I don't believe that the private school situation is right for all students.
There are several factors that I have learned this semester that parents need to keep in mind when deciding wether or not to send your child to a private school besides finances.
1. Student to teacher ratio (one class that I saw had 27 kindergarten students for 3 teachers next year those 27 will be with 1 teacher)
2. Does your student need assistance (the most assistance I have seen at the schools is title 1. There really isn't much by way of ot/pt therapy)
Now the final thing to think about, "I want my child to have the religious education...that's not at public school". Yes, you are absolutely right but what is more important; that your child is getting the religous education or who is teaching it? I'm not saying yea or nay to private school but what I am saying is this: Take each child on a case by case basis.
