Why we Choose Private School

As our school year has officially come to end, I am again reassured with our decision to keep our children out of public school and in a small Christian school.  This year we had all four of our children in a small local Christian School.     We are blessed with the fact that we have a very small school but are still able to offer financial assistance to those that need it.  Our school has about 80-85 kids total in grades prek- 8th grade.  My oldest son has the biggest class at 13 kids and my daughter only had 5 kids in her class.  The best part is every teacher knows each and every family.  They meet together as a faculty every morning and pray for the children and their families.  They encourage the families to let them know if they have any prayer needs.  The teachers actually love the children and enjoy teaching.  This is hard quality to find these days in many teachers.

This year we had six 8th grade students graduate.  The principal spoke to each child directly.  She gave them words of encouragement for the future but also let them know just special each of them are and how much they meant to her.  Since we are such a small school, she knows them all very well.  She also took time and picked out a bible verse for each of them.  The bible verses were special for each student.  The verses all fit each student so perfectly.  She framed them and gave them to each student along with their diplomas.  What a gift that they will be able to cherish for the rest of their lives.

The fact that we are able to afford private school in this horrible economic time is truly a blessing.  We have decided that this is an expense that we are not willing to give up.  Between financial aid and my husband working a second job we are able to keep them in this wonderful, loving, Christian School that is preparing their hearts and minds for the future.  After graduation my oldest son and  I had a long talk, he will be in 8th grade next year.  We talked about how our school is not just a school with bible class.  Our school actually teaches the children to live a Christian life in all that they do.  They help to shape their moral character and their spiritual.  We talked about how these qualities are not found in most schools and that these qualities are as important if not a little more important than the great academics that the school offers.  We get the best of both worlds.

I know many families are still attending private schools and others are trying to decide whether or not to attend private schools.  I hope in your search for a private your family will find a school as wonderful as ours.

Here are some things to consider when considering attending a private school:

1.  Of course academics are very important.  What high schools or colleges are the graduating students attending?

2.  Student teacher ratio

3.  Any religious affiliation?  How do you feel about the school having religion or not having religion?  Does it matter to you?  Is it just a school with bible class or does the school help to develop the character as well as the mind of your child? 

4.  How involved does the school encourage parents to be?  Volunteers, room moms, PTA, can parents be on the board?

5.  How does your child seem to fit into the school?  Too big, too small? Conservative, loose and progressive, uniforms, strict and structured.  You probably have an idea of what the best environment for your child would be.  Do your views match the ideals of the school?

6.  Tuition expenses and do they offer financial aid?

There are Many things to consider before choosing a private school.  I encourage all of you to meet with the school’s administrator to get all of your questions answered and also for your child to have a follow day to see how they feel and may fit into the school. 

Good luck with your school search and please share this with someone you know.