Public School, Private School, Or Home Schooling For Your Child?

Every parent wants to ensure that their child receives the best education available. But we also want to raise an emotionally healthy and well-rounded adult. There are so many options to choose from; everything from homeschooling to elementary schools with the same cost per year as college. With so many options available, choosing the right option for your family becomes a very daunting task. Although parents that home-school say that it's the only way, and the ones that send their kids to the expensive boarding school wouldn't do it any other way, keep in mind that each family is different. This is a decision you get to make for your family.

I think the most commonly implemented schooling method is public school. Public school has a lot to offer. Many public schools get funding from state and federal grants in addition to the budget that gets created by the taxes you pay. This allows public schools the freedom to keep specialists like speech pathologists as full-time staff. Any additional help your child might need, whether it is special education help or just tutoring, public schools are there to meet those needs. As long as your local school district has been showing through testing that it meets the requirements set by the state (which most do) you can feel comfortable sending your child to public school.

Homeschooling is another wonderful option, but it is much more difficult to implement productively. In order for homeschooling to serve your child's needs you need to be very organized and know the information being taught. Although I graduated high school and got very good grades along the way I doubt I'd be able to remember enough to feel confident teaching my children. Children will also argue much more with a parent than with a teacher, so if your child is not going to be cooperative during the home-school process make sure you will have enough patience to handle the disagreements productively. And of course if both parents work outside the home this option disappears.

There are many different kinds of private school: Montessori schools, ones run by religious institutions, even boarding schools for children. There are far too many options in this category for me to cover it all, so I will speak about private schools as a whole. Although not great for every family or child, some children really do thrive in these more structured environments. Private schools tend to have higher academic and behavioral standards for the children to meet. Although this leaves less time for socialization (which is important, too) it allows your gifted child the opportunity to excel. Public schools don't always have the capability to challenge gifted children, but private schools will challenge any child. When considering this option, look to your child's temperament. Some children will prefer a private school over public school.

With so many options regarding you children's education, it's no wonder the decision is overwhelming. Just keep in mind that they are all the "right" option. There is nothing wrong with the schools you choose, no matter what your mother-in-law might tell you. So look into the options that are available for your family and decide with confidence. If you are putting thought into what's best for your child's future then you are doing the right thing.