Readers Respond: Which School Choice Is Better for Your Adopted Child?

"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."

Now, I turn to you for personal experiences with school choice, whether they be public, private, or homeschooling. There are many pros and cons with each choice. How did you make your decision?

Private School Choice

My husband and I had a similar situation with our child. Currently our teenager was in public school, however; there were many issues that were coming up such as substance abuse & peer pressure. We had to resort to a private school.My husband and I research a lot to figure out which school would fit the best for our child, and what would be best for what he needed. We had many neighbor speak about west ridge academy in Utah It was school that helped with struggling teenagers. It was the best decision we could make for him. I guess in some ways public school has it perks, however; private school was the best option for our son.

—Guest darma

Combination of School Choices!

Our adopted son loved the private Christian school from K-5, and he loves being homeschooled for middle school. But our youngest, our adopted daughter, was not a good fit for the same private Christian school both her brothers had attended… mostly this was because of developmental/maturity issues, and partly because we had some concerns about racial issues (the staff there are wonderful but none of them share our daughter’s skin color, and neither do ANY of the students at that school, all the way from K to 8th grade). We ended up homeschooling her for Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade, while she slowly developed the self-control that would enable her to do well in a classroom environment. This year she begins 3rd grade at a nearby charter school where more than 90% of the students share her general skin color, the parents are positive and involved, and the staff/faculty are young but passionate and excellent.

—Guest Nic Nelson

Charter Schools Best of Both Worlds

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.

—Guest Miranda

Public School Choice

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.

—Guest Miranda

Public School Choice Works for Us

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.

—Guest Michelle

Charter School Choice the Best

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.

—Guest Heidi Saxton