Public vs. Private: Which School Choice Is Better for Your Adopted Child?
Tuesday August 5, 2008
I received the following email this past summer.
"I wanted to know if you had any thoughts on private versus public school for a child adopted through the foster care system. Classes are usually smaller in private schools but public schools are of course from "your neighborhood". Thank you, and I’ve really enjoyed reading your site."
I have spoken with several teachers and other professionals and have come up with a list of things to consider when pondering the difficult decision of school choice for your newly adopted child.
Now, I turn to you for personal experiences with school choice, whether they be public, private, or home school. There are so many differences within these choices.
Click "comments" below and share.
We decided on a charter school about two miles from our house. The moral focus of the instruction there, combined with the kindness and patience of the faculty, made it ideal with my kids and their “focus” difficulties.
In my opinion, charter schools (at least the one my kids go to) have all the benefits of private without the expense.
Our daughter had initial developmental delays and was in special education from about 6-months-old to age 5. We used the public school system, as well as private therapy. When it was time for Kindergarten we decided to stay with public school because there was a “magnet” type school that she had been accepted to. This school has smaller class sizes. Our daughter’s special needs were taken into consideration (severe sensory and ADHD) and she had some of the same people working with her. There were no surprises, no qualifying tests, and no charge for her to attend. She is going into 2nd grade now and is doing very well. I’m not sure, we may be one of the few, but our daughter IS getting her needs met in public school. We had an older son in private school in the past. It was much more difficult to deal with private school than dealing with our current public school. Public school works for us.
Private school rescued my oldest from public schools that don’t care about kids, but don’t want to give up the extra money for special needs. By changing to public, I was able to get her out of special ed (EBD- emotional/behavioral) and by holding her back a grade and having a teacher who pushed her and wouldn’t accept excuses, her behavior dramatically improved and she discovered that she didn’t have learning disorders. Within one year, she went from being at least 3 years behind to testing at grade level.
My youngest attended K & 1st at a fabulous private school, but then a new principal came who couldn’t handle her behaviors. The public school had completely failed my other children, so we moved to a state that had charter schools. I couldn’t be happier. If only all states allowed charter schools, our children really would have a better chance. Since they are public, charter schools have special ed services, but like private school, the children are first. It really is the best of both worlds.
Heidi, Michelle, & Miranda,
Thank you for sharing your stories – this is where we all learn – from the experiences of those who have been there.
I would recommend that parents check out their options and really ask questions.
Here – our charter school has turned into the placed to send the behavior kids. My oldest attended there for one year – he was successful in regards to grades, he got straight A’s. On paper! Get this – all work was on computer – if you didn’t do well, you can take it over and over again until you get a good grade, nap time, recess time and no homework – ever. This was for 8th grade! He loved it. I was not impressed. He was also around problem kids all day long. He was not too far off from being a problem kid himself. I believe he did get into a fight that year.
So, with any school choice ask the schools, other parents and teachers, first!