Private or Public?

I have a problem.  It's not Earth shattering, and it isn't a life or death decision.  Nonetheless, it's been weighing on me for a while.  I have to decide where my oldest boy is going to go to school next year.  He'll be in Junior kindergarten, and, I have to determine his future. 

Will he go to the local public school?  Will he go to the almost local public school?  Will he go to private school?  Which private school will he attend?  Will it be a faith based school, or not?

My son is not your average child.  He isn't content to be part of a crowd, and he demands to be noticed.  He will, I am convinced, be that child in the back of the room that is throwing spit balls, because he is bored.  I fear for his teachers.  That being said, I still must make a choice.  I think we have narrowed it down to our local public school, or our second choice private Jewish school.  (Our first choice private school isn't feasible, because of the location of the school, and our location.  Oh, and it doesn't accept students until senior kindergarten anyway.)

In favour of the public school is the simplicity of it all.  It's in my neighbourhood, he'll be able to walk with me or the nanny most of the time.  He will be with students of all faiths and colours, which is absolutely a plus.  If we go with the closest school, there will be other Jewish children in his class, which is important, but there will also be a predominance of other faiths.  This is good.  Oh, and it's free.

On the other hand, it's a good school, but not a great school. There will be 22 children in his class (or thereabouts), and I don't know if there will be anyone besides the one teacher in the classroom. With that many children, I'm not sure what sort of personal attention he'll get.  I don't know if they will be able to challenge him.

Our other, reasonable alternative is a private Jewish school.  The school takes a more holistic approach to teaching subject matter, and focuses on an arts based curriculum.  When I explained my unique son to the admissions director, she gave an answer that impressed me, and worked well.  She told me that "there is no back of the classroom in our school" - the children sit in a semi circle instead of rows.  And she also mentioned that children are encouraged to do what works for them, and not forced to conform.  I like that the class size is smaller (I believe 20 students with 2 teachers), which means that my son won't be overlooked.

In terms of Jewish philosophy, the school is humanistic, egalitarian, and inclusive.  I like that.  Jewish studies are integrated into the regular curriculum instead of being taught as a separate subject.  I like that too.  Environmental education is a key part of the curriculum. 

But the multicultural aspect is limited.  The students are somewhat sheltered and not exposed to other cultures as much as I would like. All the children are Jewish, which is not what the world is like.  Oh, and it's not free.

So I'm asking readers for some input.  I just don't know what to do.  If it helps, money is not a deciding factor, just a point of interest.

Comments

[SciFi Dad]

Having gone to a faith-based school from K-OAC (remember that?), I can honestly say that I would have rather gone to a public school. Yes, there were benefits to the schooling I got, but overall I would have preferred to meet more cultures earlier on in life (for a myriad of reasons, but the simplest way to say it is so that I am more aware of the world around me and its idiosyncrasies).

As far as private vs. public, I find that a lot of parents focus on the student/teacher ratio. Personally, my child (not unlike your children) will have spent the entirety of their existence up until they enter school in a one on one (or one on two in your case) situation. If I wanted that to continue, I would explore home schooling. However, by that point I feel that children are ready to learn that they are not the centre of the universe, they do not need an adult _right there_ all.the.time. Sure, some class sizes are too big, but the 20-25 range for JK/SK is reasonable, and will help the kids develop as individuals.

Of course, all this is predicated on having a child of typical needs. Special needs children are a completely different discussion. But since you didn't mention that, my comment assumed it was not the case.

[nomotherearth]

That would be a tough one for me. Like SciFi Dad, I wouldn't worry about the student-teacher ratio at all - especially with the way you describe your son. I doubt he would be overlooked.

However, I am a big proponent of the philosophy that the second school seems to embrace: art-based, environmental, the semi-circle idea. School-wise, that would be exactly what I'm looking for.

That being said, exposure to different cultures is so important, especially early on. It's why I'm such a strong supporter of the public school system. Is it possible that you have a public school that embraces the philosopy of the faith-based one?

Tough choice. I don't envy you, and I'm in denial that I will have to make the same choice soon.

[Laural]

We were going through this discussion last year because my son also starts JK in Fall 08.
I went to a private Christian school from JK-Grade 6. It was a wonderful experience - I have nothing bad to say about it.
However, my choice for my son is based on different factors then my parents dealt with.
The only thing that bugged me about this school growing up was that my friends were not all in the same area as me - we were in Oakville and had friends as far away as Hamilton and Mississauga in my class so it was hard to hang out with them.
Education was superior.
We have debated private school now for my son (in fact we toured the same one I went to - and I still love it).
We're going with the public system though. The reasoning for this is that the school is very close to our house. I want my son to have neighbourhood friends. I also agree re: the multicultural aspect. As much as I live in suburbia which is still very very white I like that there is a multicultural aspect.
I also feel like the fact that we bring our son to church covers the religious fact.
Plus, when I go back to work (I'll be off for about half of the JK year with my second) we will likely have a nanny and I like that it's walking distance.
The other thing I worry about is that when I went to private school I was always in the same class with the same kids - for 8 years. I like that in the school Matt would go to there would be some flexibility with changing classrooms/classmates and teachers.
I won't lie. The money is a factor too.
I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but private school kindergartens are eligible for childcare receipts just like daycares. So, it may be a little less pricey.
Anyway, tough call. Sounds like both are good options though.

[Mac and Cheese]

I know that we will be going with the public system to start, and will see how things go from there. That being said, we are in the district for a supposedly fabulous public school, so the decision is a little easier. I guess I'm a big help, huh?

[Mamalooper]

The two schools you describe sound like the public one in my neighbourhood and the private faith-based one that we are most likely going to send the Monkeygirl too. Are you livin' in the 'hood? :-)

I went to a public school k-12 and Monkeydad went to private school k-8 and then a public high school. For him it was a great mix/grounding in his community/faith plus an exposure to the rest of the world, so to speak.

I love the arts-based education plus the small classes. Also the chance to be more involved as a parent in the girl's schooling.

I think that if you have a few activities outside of the school that are more "mixed", it will go a long way in ensuring that the kids don't have a narrow world view.

[Kathleen]

Have you considered homeschooling?

[mo-wo]

I know this is a hard decision. I always wonder too if there is a sort of breakthrough age where you will know more clearly... likely at a time too late in a way. Still that is what I will try. We will go with something in the community. Let her world grow a bit more in feet and in mind. And, I have quietly, arbitrarily, determined review the choices before she starts grade two.

[Kimberly]

It's a hard choice. I send Diva Girl to a faith based public school (sorry, I have Catholic guilt about that, I promise), and feel a bit awkward that she's getting the impression that the world is predominantly Catholic--something I thought until I got the shock of my life moving to public school in 6th grade. Mainly I send her because the public school in our area is appallingly bad, but I confess, I like that the religious education is in hand and that *I* won't be called on to do the bulk of the work for confirmation. She was in public school for her first communion, and I think she missed out on a sense of community during that time. Plus, the 2 weekend classes provided a much sketchier background than she would have gotten in catholic school.

That said, I'm a fan of diversity in education. Diva Girl's classmates may share the same faith, but they come from a variety of economic classes, ethnic backgrounds, and family structures. I think that's incredibly important.

And to be honest, as a teacher I thought "there's no back of the room, we all sit in semi circles" was a bit simplistic. Back of the room has nothing to do with classroom geography and everything to do with classroom atmosphere.