Submitted by omelet2000 on September 14, 2008 - 9:10pm.
I am the product of a public school system, and also had the privilege of attending an 'elite' private university. 40% of my classmates were private school graduates. I remember after 10th grade my parents wanted to send me to a private school, because they felt it would increase my chance of getting into an 'Ivy league' school. I protested, mostly because I didn't want to leave my friends, but also because I didn't think it would make much of a difference in my chances. I stayed in public school and thought I had a great education there.
- I agree that it is debatable whether the 'education' you get at a private school is much different than a public school. I believe this: It depends much more on the students than the teachers. If your daughter is surrounded by hard-working kids, she will turn out great no matter where she goes. Of course one might say the quality of students at the private school is better ...
- I think your fears about teaching your child money buying privilege will be unfounded. Unlike some of my (public school) classmates who got BMWs for their birthday, I saw my parents put money away for the best college education I could get. If your child sees that, of all the things you can spend money, you chose education, she will learn the value of education.
- Does money buy privilege? Does privilege buy money? The answer is yes! It's a fact of life in the world we live in. I agree with Art. If your daughter can get the best possible advantage there's no shame in providing it to her. It's not a cop-out. Do you want your daughter to learn the fact of life with the same envy that you feel?
- My public school district has diversity, but also gang problems, teenage pregnancy, etc. If that's the choice I'd gladly sacrifice diversity to avoid all those other problems. I'm not saying that all public schools have problems or that private schools don't, but all I am saying is I would evaluate the schools and choose the best one without feeling guilty. You're qutie fortunate you have the choice!
Go for it!
I am the product of a public school system, and also had the privilege of attending an 'elite' private university. 40% of my classmates were private school graduates. I remember after 10th grade my parents wanted to send me to a private school, because they felt it would increase my chance of getting into an 'Ivy league' school. I protested, mostly because I didn't want to leave my friends, but also because I didn't think it would make much of a difference in my chances. I stayed in public school and thought I had a great education there.
- I agree that it is debatable whether the 'education' you get at a private school is much different than a public school. I believe this: It depends much more on the students than the teachers. If your daughter is surrounded by hard-working kids, she will turn out great no matter where she goes. Of course one might say the quality of students at the private school is better ...
- I think your fears about teaching your child money buying privilege will be unfounded. Unlike some of my (public school) classmates who got BMWs for their birthday, I saw my parents put money away for the best college education I could get. If your child sees that, of all the things you can spend money, you chose education, she will learn the value of education.
- Does money buy privilege? Does privilege buy money? The answer is yes! It's a fact of life in the world we live in. I agree with Art. If your daughter can get the best possible advantage there's no shame in providing it to her. It's not a cop-out. Do you want your daughter to learn the fact of life with the same envy that you feel?
- My public school district has diversity, but also gang problems, teenage pregnancy, etc. If that's the choice I'd gladly sacrifice diversity to avoid all those other problems. I'm not saying that all public schools have problems or that private schools don't, but all I am saying is I would evaluate the schools and choose the best one without feeling guilty. You're qutie fortunate you have the choice!