Driffrence Between a Public School and a Catholic School

Look, I don't mean to be rude, but you've discussed quite a bit about your son's needs before and I'm going to tell you honestly (as I've done in the past). Your son will NOT received the support he needs in a Catholic school. They simply do not have the resources. If your son needs extra academic support, they are going to refer you back to the PUBLIC school. Catholic schools do not have the time or resources to support kids who are already behind.

I went to a Catholic school for 8 years. I was way behind my public school peers by the time I got to high school. Each Catholic school is different, but on average Catholic school teachers are not held to the same standard as public school teachers. My particular teachers did not have the energy to sit with someone who was not as bright as the other kids. I slowed the class down--and I was made very much aware of that.

Teacher in Catholic schools are way underpaid and don't have to meet the same academic requirements as public school teachers. Public schools (some) unfortunately have their share of problems too. But, if you want to ensure that your son does well and gets the support he needs, you should not bother looking into a private school. Find a good public school. Exercise your right as a taxpayer to get the best education for your son that you are entitled to--especially if you already cannot afford tuition. It will be a total waste.

We live in an amazing public school district in Oak Park and we are still going to go the Catholic School route. I'm sure Catholic schools vary quite a bit, but if you look into a few near your home and talk to parents at the schools, you will likely be able to determine which ones are better.

I really think you can't beat the warm, respectful, loving environment that a private Catholic school provides. I went to Catholic grammar & high schools and was at the top of my class and then went on to a public university (which offered the #1 program for my line of work) and also graduated at the top of my class with honors. My Catholic school education (in Chicago, by the way) was excellent.

I think Catholic schools reach kids' hearts & minds and inspire them to be good people, to learn, respect others, etc.

I also think that today there are so many supplemental programs and options available (camps, tutoring, after-school programs, etc., etc.) for students that we can supplement just about any need or interest our children could have (e.g. computers, science, math, language, dance, art, etc.) and/or teach them further at home. But, where else can we find a quality religious program and loving environment outside the home?

Good luck with your decision, and as you can see, I would strongly recommend Catholic schools to you!

I went to both a private and public school for highschool. Although it was years ago, I think I can speak on this. I think that the school is part of the education. You are a bigger factor of the schooling. My parents were involved in my school 200%. The catholic school had more rules and smaller classes, but there are some magnet and cluster schools (high) that are wonderful and they are public.

My daughter goes to Lasalle, although it is not a high school, it is a public school. Your children are old enough they don't need aftercare really, so catholic schools are good for that.

How your kids act is up to you. You can send your kids to a catholic school and they can still be "problems" not saying your kids are please don't take this the wrong way. Or just because they go to a public school does not mean they are going to be problems. Some kids no matter where attend wonderful colleges after any highschool, it is really up to you and your children. Talk to them see what they think. If it is a good public school, why spend the unnecessary money. I know for a fact the poor teachers in catholic schools get paid pennies, while the public school teachers get paid a little more. Unfortunately that should not have anything to do with it but it does. Meaning who is going to do there job "better". Wish you the best of luck.

My kids 13 & 10 got to catholic school and have from day one, with the exception of my daughter she went to the public schol for kindergarten. I rank catholic schools better because of the education level you get there. Myneighbors kids ar in the public school and are the same age/grade as my kids, they are so far behind where my children are it is not even funny. My son was in 4th grade and now on his way to 5th he has been doing long division since 3red grade, my neighbors kid same age/grade, just started it this year. So from what I see they are at least 3 years behind the catholic school my kids attend. It is going to hurt them badly when they get to high school. I think you should see if your son is going to be behind at the grade level he is entering into from the public to the private school. If so he may have a hard time catching up, but there might be a program such as peer tutoring avaliable to help him over that. Look around, get to know some of the parents or kids where you want to send your child, see what they think. Good Luck

I can give you my perspective as a teacher who has worked both at a catholic high school and a public high school.

I left the catholic high school because the pay/benefits were TERRIBLE! The yearly salary was a joke and we had NO pension other than paying into social security. The kids were AWESOME and very well-behaved, probably because their parents were paying out the wazoo to go there and would have killed them if they got in trouble (all kidding aside, the general population was exceptionally well-behaved). Discipline was much easier at a catholic school and if there was a 'problem child', then the school just 'kicked them out' (not saying I necessarily agree with that, but it is a catholic school and kids have to be 'accepted' there and follow a strict code of conduct).

I love working at my current high school because I am valued as a professional. I am given an awful lot of autonomy over what I can teach in the classroom, opportunity and funding for personal professional development, and our salary/fringe benefits package is NICE. You do get more of a mixed bag of students when it comes to homelife and behavior, but I think the diversity is important for kids to experience.

Also someone else mentioned special ed. Forget about it at most catholic schools. At my job we had ONE employee who was actually an employee of the public district in which the school was located to cover ALL of the students with special ed needs.

In my opinion, catholic schools differ from street to street and can be like night and day. Check a few out and compare before deciding.
All that being said, when my son is old enough to attend school, he'll be attending catholic elementary school then a private high school of some sort because I simply do not trust the Chicago Public School system.

The only thing that I can speak on is if your son has any special needs. If not you are probably fine. Private schools aren't the best when it comes to children with disabilities, especially if it is significant one.

Hi,

I went to Lutheran school growing up and my school was held to higher educational standands than all the other public schools in the area. Our tests scores were better than the public schools as well.

For my son who is 7 now had problems in public school becuase the teacher and school administrators refused to believe that my son is exceptional. Hes been reading since he was 3 1/2 was doing math and reading comprehensions at a 3rd lvl in kindergarten.

We transfered him to a Catholic school and now he gets more attention his "behavior problems" that public school said he had are non-existent. And after being in 1st grade at the catholic school for 2 months they skipped him to 2nd. This year he will be going in to 3rd grade at 7.

I believe that it was the best decision for him. So I say yes for catholic school if you have loving, supportive, administrators and teachers.

Hi E.,

I can't give any feedback on this particular Catholic school, but I can share some general knowledge with you.
First, being on a tight budget means you may qualify for financial assistance from the private school. Just fill out financial assistance forms and submit them to your school's principal, not the secretary, since they do contain confidential information. Your forms will go before a board, with your name blackened out, and you may be able to get a substantial reduction in tuition. Second, if your children have any special needs in reading, math, or behavior, a Catholic school doesn't really have the programs or people to give adequate resources. If this is not an area of need for your family, a Catholic school can provide a safer and a more respectable environment. Depending on the school and the area of the city, it can also provide a better education. One more thing to consider, Catholic schools do have a hefty registration fee. This too may be negotiated into payments. Good luck and contact the principal to inquire about the tuition assistance forms. The sooner the better.