Homeschool vs public school? Private school vs public school? Which education option is right for your family? This guide co-written by Gina of GinaMPoirier.com and Brittany of EquippingGodlyWomen.com will help you decide which education option is right for your family.
“Will you consider homeschooling?”
Gina: Even before my husband and I were married, it was important to him that we start talking about our kids’ education.
We weren’t planning on having babies right away and their school days would be even further in the future. But he wanted to know upfront if I would be willing to homeschool our kids.
This question was certainly not what I was expecting.
I had attended public school. He had been homeschooled. I had no idea where to begin! But, true to my promise, I started researching the homeschool vs public school possibilities when our kids were little.
Ultimately, I decided to try homeschooling and have stuck with it for six years with three kids (now in fifth, third and first grade).
Brittany: Like Gina, I also grew up going to public school, and it was a very positive experience for me. When I was younger, I just assumed that someday I would send my kids to public school as well.
I even got my degree in Elementary Education so I could be a public school teacher too!
My husband did ask once if I ever wanted to homeschool our kids. After all, I am a trained teacher, so we were both confident that I could do a great job.
I did research homeschool vs public school, but as our family grew and we got to know each other and our distinct personalities, we knew: Homeschooling is not the right option for our family.
Instead, our children go to a private Christian school during the school year, and I homeschool them during the summer to help them retain their learning. This combination works really well for our family!
In the current climate of social distancing with unknown implications in the coming months, many parents are reconsidering their school choices. There are a lot of pros and cons of homeschool, public school and private school. And while some people clearly know what they want for their family, it’s not always a clear-cut decision—even within the same household!
We’ve compiled the pros and cons of these schooling options to help you consider what’s best right now for your family.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps cover the many costs of running this site and allows me to help provide for my growing family. Thank you!
How Can You Find (and Follow!) God’s Will For Your Children’s Education?
Your children’s education is about more than just where they will learn reading and math — it’s also about your needs as a mother and wife (and maybe teacher!), and your family’s culture and values.
It can feel overwhelming to think of all the possible outcomes of your choice for your kids’ education. How can you know if you are following God’s will or your own?
My newest book offers encouraging guidance and practical tips that you can use today, as you discern what is God’s will for your children’s education.
Practical, encouraging, and full of biblical truth, Follow God’s Will: Biblical Guidelines for Everyday Life (along with the Follow God’s Will companion workbook) is designed to help you answer questions including:
- What does God want me to do?
- How do I apply the Bible’s instructions to my life today?
- Where is God calling me personally?
- How can I make a difference right where I am?
- How should I navigate relationships with those who think, act, or believe differently than I do?
- And so many more!
Want to start reading for free?
Simply enter your first name and email below, and I’ll send you an exclusive “first-peek” right away, right to your inbox!
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
Gina: After six years of homeschooling, I’ve become very familiar with the many options available and the pros and cons of homeschool. I’ve have built my confidence, discovered my preferred educational philosophy, found a community and a curriculum I love, and identified my kids’ individual learning styles. I love homeschooling, but I also recognize that it’s not a good fit for everyone.
Here are the pros and cons of homeschooling you need to consider:
Pros of Homeschooling:
- You are in charge of your child’s learning. Being a homeschooling parent is somewhat like providing your child with private tutoring. You can adjust your curriculum and teaching approach to their learning style and pace. This is especially beneficial for kids who have learning disabilities, or are ahead or lagging behind their peers. There is less pressure to “keep up” and less time wasted in class since you don’t have to cater to a large group. You also have more freedom to explore your child’s personal interests.
- You can build your homeschooling schedule around your family’s needs. Imagine getting up in the morning and not being in a rush to make it to school dropoff because you can start school whenever you want. Whether you prefer year-round school, travel school, or one of the many other options, you have the freedom and flexibility to make your school schedule work for your unique situation.
- You can prioritize your family’s values. Educating with a biblical worldview is a huge reason many Christian families decide to homeschool. If you’re concerned about the material and values that a public school education promotes, homeschooling is a viable alternative.
- You have more opportunity to build family relationships. When your kids are at home most if not all of the day, you have more opportunities to strengthen family relationships, from parent to child and also child to child. While there are also more opportunities to argue and get on each other’s nerves, homeschooling families tend to be close and connected due to all of the time their members spend together.
- You can protect your children from negative social influences. Bullying and peer pressure are problems all kids can face in a classroom environment. While you can’t shelter kids forever, keeping in the home more does limit some exposure to negative influences.
These benefits of homeschooling are great options for families to think about when choosing homeschool vs public school vs private school.
Cons of Homeschooling:
- It’s a huge commitment for parents. I’m not going to lie; there have been days when I would look longingly at the school bus and wonder whether I was really cut out for this. As a homeschooling parent, you are sacrificing much of your free time and other interests in order to prioritize your children’s education. It’s important to recognize that commitment and do what it takes to stick with it.
- It can be expensive. This may come as a surprise, but when you add up the cost of supplies, curriculum and fees for co-ops and enrichment activities (not to mention extracurriculars), you can easily spend hundreds, or thousands, of dollars per child per year. There’s also the cost you may incur from not being able to work (or work more hours) if you would have otherwise been able to.
- There may be fewer elective options. Especially as your child gets older, you may find that they aren’t able to participate in certain activities and classes they might be interested in. These might include school sports and certain performing arts.
- It’s possible for kids to fall through the cracks. While most homeschool parents are dedicated to providing quality education (homeschool students typically score higher than average on standardized tests), it’s possible that they aren’t able to provide all of the resources their children need to succeed academically. Depending on where you live, you may or may not have access to special education, college and career preparation, and other specialized resources. Some parents might also have difficulty teaching core concepts.
- Kids have less peer-to-peer social interaction and “real-world” exposure. This is a common concern about homeschooling, as students will not have the same opportunities as kids in classroom environments to interact and work with their peers for several hours a day. It’s debatable how damaging this can be in the long-run, as many homeschool students are involved in daily social interaction in other ways, including co-ops, extracurriculars, volunteering, playgroups and employment when they’re old enough. If socialization is a concern for you but you’re still interested in the benefits of homeschooling, you will have the make the effort to provide social interaction and real-world experience outside of the home.
Pros and Cons of Public School
Gina: Both of us attended public school and thrived. So while it may not be an ideal choice for everyone, both of us can attest that you can go to public school and be a well-educated, faithful Christian as an adult.
Brittany: Personally, I loved public education because it really highlighted my faith and helped it grow. When I attended a Christian college (where everyone believed the same thing), it was easy to take my faith for granted. It didn’t feel as “real.” Attending public high school forced me to know what I believe and why, it gave me opportunities to share my faith with others, and it helped me develop confidence to share God’s Word with people who don’t agree.
Obviously, you have to balance that with the very real risks of public education. (You have to know your kids.) But it was a very positive experience for me.
Pros of Public School
- The teachers are qualified. All public school teachers are required to have undergraduate degrees, and many have additional certifications. While a degree doesn’t guarantee an excellent teacher, it does guarantee someone who is trained as an educator.
- There may be more resources available. Since public schools are large organizations that are funded by the government, they may have more access to a wide range of resources to meet students’ needs than other options. This is especially important for kids who may require special education and individualized attention for learning disabilities and special needs. What’s more, students may have more opportunities to participate in more activities like sports and the arts.
- Kids get exposure to the real world and social experiences. Kids in public schools will naturally have more exposure to a more diverse population than they would in a private school or homeschool. They’ll get real-world experience in dealing with difficult situations and aren’t as likely to be surprised by the challenges of the real world after they graduate. They also have more opportunities to stand up on their own Christian faith rather than that of their parents or teachers.
- It’s free(ish)! While any parent can tell you that supplies and fees can get quite pricey, public school is still less expensive than the alternatives. Plus, it gives parents the option to work while the kids are at school.
These amazing benefits of public school are good to consider when researching homeschool vs public school vs private school.
Cons of Public School
- Classes are not taught from a biblical worldview. This can be a big hang-up for Christian families who are concerned about what is being taught and how it is affecting their children.
- Classroom sizes are large. The larger a class is, the more difficult it is for a teacher to focus on each student and address their educational needs. Depending on what resources a particular school has, some students will be left behind and others will be bored and understimulated.
- There are more negative social influences. Bullying, peer pressure and negative messaging can come from anywhere in a child’s life, but they are especially prevalent in public schools. The problems can be worse in large student populations that are difficult for teachers to regulate.
- It’s driven by standardized testing. While accountability for school districts and teachers may be necessary for some amount of quality control, many schools’ number one focus is getting students to pass tests. This can be frustrating for teachers and students alike and can suck the joy and creativity out of the learning environment.
- The quality can vary significantly. Public schools are not one-size-fits-all across the country. There are many excellent public schools and many terrible ones. There are also excellent teachers and terrible ones within the same school. Whether a public school is beneficial for your family may depend on where you live.
Related reading: Five Prayers Every Christian Momma Should Pray for Her Kids
Pros and Cons of Private School
Brittany: For some, private school may feel like the “best of both worlds.” Your children get to go to school with other children and receive a quality education but without quite the same level of “risk” as public schools. Not all private schools are Christian (many are, but not all), but it may be easier to find a close-knit community of loving teachers who truly care about your kids in a private school than a large public school.
Pros of Private School:
- The quality of education is high. While there’s no guarantee, chances are that if you’re willing to pay significantly for private school tuition, the school should be offering high-quality education. Good private schools have smaller class sizes, highly qualified instructors and a range of options for students.
- Kids have positive social influences. While bullying, peer pressure and negative influences aren’t entirely avoidable, you may find less of them in a private Christian school. Your children may have more exposure to kids from Christian families that share your values.
- Parents can leave their kids with caretakers they trust. If you as a parent need to work during school hours or care for other children, you might feel more confident leaving your school-aged kid under the supervision of a Christian-led organization instead of under the supervision of government-run schools.
These benefits of private school can help guide you decide which is best for your family: homeschool vs public school vs private school.
Cons of Private School:
- It’s expensive. You can spend thousands of dollars per child per year on private school tuition. While prices vary and sometimes scholarship opportunities are available, private school isn’t even an option for many families due to the expense.
- It’s not an impenetrable bubble. While private elementary schools and private high schools may be Christian, not everyone who attends is. And not everyone who considers themselves a Christian cares to act like it either. Especially when they have uncles and older cousins and friends from their neighborhood who make a rebellious lifestyle look so cool.
- It may not prepare students for the “real world.” What happens to your kids when they graduate from a private Christian school and head off to a secular college? Suddenly, the rule book is thrown out the window, everything is different, they’re a little disoriented (and probably a little insecure because while they’re technically adults, it sure doesn’t feel like it at 18!), and not everyone around them is looking out for their best interests.
- Resources may be limited. While you might find highly qualified instructors in a private school, it may not have all the resources that a public school would simply because it is a smaller organization. If your child has a specialized need or has certain interests, the options might be limited in a private school.
Brittany: Personally, we LOVE both the Private Christian preschool our children attended and the Private Catholic school they attend now. The teachers are wonderful, and we trust them to not only help our children get an education but also turn into good people.
No Christian school is perfect. Even in the great Catholic school our children attend, our kids have been exposed to plenty of things I don’t agree with — both from the students AND the teachers. You’ll have that at any school. But it’s been a really positive experience for us overall.
Benefits of Christian Education:
- Your children will receive religious education classes. Sunday School is great, but it tends to be a mix mash of random lessons and Bible stories. A quality Christian school will provide your children with a great framework for truly understanding the Bible, including major stories, verses and themes, as well as Christian theology and history.
- The curriculum won’t contradict your religious worldview. It’s crazy how much anti-Biblical content can find its way into public school textbooks–even in the lower grades! Christian school curriculum undergoes a screening process before selection, however, so you’re far less likely to see questionable material pop up in your first grader’s homework.
Related reading: 10 Back to School Bible Verses to Memorize with Your Children
How to Decide: Homeschool vs Public School vs Private School
Gina: It can be tough deciding which education options are best for your family. You may find that what is best for one child isn’t the best for another, and you may not stick to the same option from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Choosing between homeschool, public school and private school should be done prayerfully, and the decision probably needs to be revisited regularly as your kids get older. But here are some questions that can help you be more confident in whatever you decide.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What are your top priorities in your kids’ education?
- What do you hope for your kids by the time they graduate?
- What are you as a parent willing to commit to when it comes to your kids’ education (financially and with your time and energy)?
- How important is a biblical worldview in your kids’ education?
- What are the social, emotional and spiritual needs of your children and where will they be met?
- Are you and your spouse (if applicable) in agreement? If not, where can you make compromises?
Discover God’s Will for Your Home and for Your Children
How can you follow God’s will for your family when faced with life’s big questions? How can you hear God’s voice and follow His will as a mother in all the busyness and noise of school, sports, friends, and growing?
I share my experience with these questions in my brand new book, Follow God’s Will: Biblical Guidelines for Everyday Life, along with the Follow God’s Will companion workbook.
Practical, encouraging, and full of biblical truth, Follow God’s Will is designed to help you answer questions including:
- What does God want me to do?
- How do I apply the Bible’s instructions to my life today?
- Where is God calling me personally?
- How can I make a difference right where I am?
- How should I navigate relationships with those who think, act, or believe differently than I do?
- And so many more!
Want to start reading for free?
Simply enter your first name and email below, and I’ll send you an exclusive “first-peek” right away, right to your inbox!
When you consider Homeschool vs Public School vs Private School – which education option sounds most appealing to you and why? If your choice has been narrowed down to Homeschool vs Private School – which do you think you will choose and why?
Gina Poirier is a happily married mom of five, stress management coach and writer who helps overwhelmed, exhausted moms find peace and purpose in the everyday. You can find her at her website, GinaMPoirier.com.
This is very true!!!! To me every school is the same besides you having to pay extra for maybe 10 kids less in class. Also most are sent to private school with no Christian background, but to only think it is the best. Let me elaborate so if you go to a private school most of the parents are wasting money on education with a lot of kids who do not have any family Christian habits etc…. or even a Catholic which means you pay more. This is so comical to me!!! I was Christian raised and I went to a public K-12 and I succeeded in education and college with no judgemental hypocrites, living and enjoying life. I have had a lot of friends who went to private schools and they are all drug addicted or not here anymore that I had to dismiss my self from. Maybe at times trying to be better or thinking a small class and all the extra fees is excellent and you think your doing the right thing for your children you also may think they are just trying to make you happy as a parent, but to be honest most of them are frighten to let their feelings out because they will be judged!!
No one is perfect ever and to me private school is a waste of money for a lot parents who pay and do not talk to their kids because they think the private will teach all that….
Wrong-again rich parents, trips etc…. they always think they are all okay. Reality your wrong most of the kids are only trying to please you, because you think everything is suppose to be perfect, because either you didn’t or couldn’t do it… or maybe they are scared to speak up with their own feelings.
Always listen to your kids and make them feel comfortable to be them selves and dress who and who they want to be if you don’t your relationship is lost through AKA money talks also selfishness because they watched the parents actions as well as private school living. It’s called private for a reason always keep private!!!! Bubble living
Well, while I don’t think public schools are always a perfect solution, I wouldn’t go so far as to say “every school is the same” or that they’re a waste of money. My children go to a great private school–much better than the public schools in our area–and we’re really happy there. So there are good and bad schools on both sides. My only concern is that we don’t think private schools are ALWAYS automatically better, because they’re not. (Nor or all public schools automatically better, either…)
I want to thank everyone that’s made comments on here. My wife and I are prayerfully considering putting our 5 year old in a Christian school. Neither of us went to a Christian school, as I didn’t make my decision until age 19. We do have deep relationships with some sisters in Christ that have been teachers in Christian schools. It’s through them that we discovered Christian schools have their share of problems.
My experience with public schools is certainly short of anything godly. By 4th grade friends and I from school would steal cigarettes from parents, steal alcohol, and by 7th grade were dabbling with marijuana. The girls hearts that I broke still come up even to this day, wishing I had the opportunity to apologize for how I made them feel.
Now things are different. We’ve since decided to follow Jesus and years later we’ve got 3 kids – 5, 2, and 4 months. My wife reminded me that registration for next year was coming up at the local elementary school. I just didn’t feel a peace about that at all! This had been on my mind for a while, but I wasn’t diligent, and now it’s here. Putting our child in a Christian school is going to be a very heavy burden financially – but not impossible.
Here’s my point of view, and please anyone comment on this…
Why would I send my children somewhere 8 hours a day to learn about something that isn’t eternal? I sure spent a lot of time in school and in college learning about stuff that really just doesn’t matter. What if I could have been learning how to live like Jesus? What if I could have been learning practical applications on reaching the lost? What if I could have been learning how to listen to that still small voice? Why fill my children’s heads up with garbage! The public school system certainly made me literate – but didn’t tell me there was an invisible enemy that hated me and wanted to see me dead! 1 Year after high school, boom I’m a cocaine addict. Allllllll that education – didn’t see that coming! Praise God for the miracles that got me to realize there is a God, and that he made me just the way I am.
We can’t get away from sin, it’s everywhere. But I certainly don’t think we should throw the baby out with the bath water even though private Christian schools (or wait – people) have problems.
I saw a facebook video of the Christian students singing praises to God during some kind of school activity, and I thought – wow, we certainly didn’t do that at my school. To me, that’s worth every penny in my bank account.
I found this article trying to find an answer and clarity to my prayers. My daughter has gone to a Christian Private school for 5 years now. The school itself was definitely a God send and answer to prayers when we were moved to N.C. specifically looking for a good school to put our daughter into. The schools and area we came from was quickly becoming riddled with drugs and is now none as the heroin capital of the US. Unfortunately this year I have begun to question whether this school is the right place for my daughter. The school itself is definitely not an impenetrable bubble as my child was having conversations about sex last year in the 2nd grade, bullied in her TK year by 1st graders, and made to feel less than this year by her teacher because her grades and focused has slipped significantly. I have considered public school heavily for next year. Currently she has been enrolled in her current school and public school for next year I have not unenrolled her from the private school because I am so scared I am doing the wrong thing by throwing her into an unknown environment. We have spoken to her about it and she is highly open to public school because she feels like her private school is not the same as it was. I tend to agree. Of the 5 years I have paid for we have only had 2 good years at that school. But I also hate allowing a 10 year old to make so a big decision and no matter how much I pray I haven’t felt at peace with either option. I’m just looking for guidance. I have always felt like an outsider when it comes to the other moms at my daughters school. I am a young, unmarried mother with tattoos and I always feel like I’m looked at as a charity case. Even though I pay the same tuition as they do. Because of that I don’t have a relationship with any of them to confide in about this subject. I’m so worried I’m going to make the wrong choice for my family and daughter.
Alora
I am so glad that you made this post yesterday.
When you feel something deep in your gut, go for it. God puts these feeling in you heart. You have to have the best interests of your child, your gift from God, to move forward. Thank you for sharing and I wish I had you to talk with this last year!
My child attends Christian school as well for the last 2 years. The first year was wonderful. The teacher was amazing, nurturing and the best teacher in the world.
This year has been a total nightmare. The teacher is is ok as a person but her teaching practices are terrible. She lacks a lot of nurturing skills and from what I can see she had no problems making the children feel sad. Her expectations for children of a certain age are unreasonable. She doesn’t see the negative impact she has on children with the some of the methods that she uses to teach. I spoke with the school but the teacher can ‘do no wrong’. They made me feel awful. This Christian school teacher is not progressive and this people in charge are not willing to ask the teacher to make the necessary changes to improve. This teacher will always be held in her negative pattern.
So because I spoke up and said something to put thing right I am now the ‘awkward parent’. All the teachers must have talked about it because I feel it when I walk into the school. I confided in one of the parents who ran to the person in charge and told her what I had confided in her. It has just gone from bad to worse. The total point has been missed and that is children need to be nurtured and made to feel listened to.
Because of this we have chosen to send our child to the public school. We are nervous but we will do it because the principal at the private school does not listen or take action. She is happy to allow the negative teaching methods to continue.
We pray every day that something will change for the next class that is taught by this teacher. We pray that God will speak to her heart.
I hope you find the courage to move your child to the public school and if that doesn’t work there are other private schools out there. Go with your heart.
I”m not a mother or a wife but I like this post! I have been thinking so much about the Churches that I have known harping on Christian education being the way (the homeschooling or private school kind) and are staunchly against public schools. However, don’t parents have the right to have a say in what the teacher teach their children? I mean shouldn’t there be opportunities to check out the public schools to find out more about them and discuss with the teachers what they don’t want their children to learn (evolution, reading questionable books like Harry Potter). I agree with teachers teaching sex education to an extent and by that I mean teaching about sexual abuse and body safety because, let’s face it, Mom and Dad may be the sexual abusers of the child so the child is not going to be taught those things from the parents.
What if the public school is the only option? Especially if we are talking about single parents. I heard a preacher say, “Christian education doesn’t cost it pays.” but what if you don’t have the money to shell out for private school unless God gives you a way to pay for it? What if you have more than one child? It’s not a lack of faith to ask these questions it’s being realistic. God can’t open doors for you to get a better job if you don’t have the experience and education to do that better paying job. Even if you could get a better job it might mean that it eats up way too much of your time and take you away from other important things in your life.
For some parents they may be able to home school their children by covering the basics of education, in some subjects at least, not every parent is a brainiac. Maybe the parents themselves had difficulty learning. Unless they got a homeschooling curriculum that was detailed enough to teach what you cant teach, maybe. Even then your child may still need guidance. So other types of schooling could be necessary later on. Homeschooling, I think, could have an advantage for children who are having difficulty learning subjects. It would allow them to go at their own pace.
Another thing to consider is that children have a natural curiosity for learning and exploring. Unfortunately, sometimes certain schooling methods, and people, can extinquish that enthusiasm. I’m told that Montessori schools don’t do that they allow children to explore what they want to learn but it is a private school. Public schools are not always the best for children who are slow since they have to keep up with everyone else and it will be a complete bore for children who are ahead of the class in which case they could skip a grade.
I found the Christian school to be non-responsive to change and when speaking to the person charge and telling them the way the teacher is making the children feel the response was “awe she does it with love and you know she doesn’t get paid very much”.
Making a children cry or feel sad every day is not my idea of giving love. The method is unnecessary we should be building these children up and making them feel strong confident human beings not crushing their spirits. Who knew how their blindness can crush a child’s confidence. What short sited teaching practices. All I can do is pray.
We have just come away from a not great experience at a Christian school. I think you’re right on the money when you say that there will still be “junk” that creeps in. No child is perfect, they all make poor decisions, no matter where they go to school. What matters is how this stuff is handled by staff when it becomes an issue. If the school has staff who are educated on child development at all ages, and are knowledgeable and experienced on how to deal with conflicts fairly, all well and good, hopefully. If not, that’s an unhealthy environment that can really drag some kids down.
I go to a private Catholic high school where almost everyone is kind, caring, and considerate. And I still became an atheist! Honestly Catholic schools are kind of a stupid concept. I would ask my parents to transfer me to a public school now if I didn’t have such great friends and teachers there. I will definitely be going to a secular college.
I’m sorry to hear that the experience wasn’t a pleasant one for you 🙁
I have taught in christian schooling and been involved in many different christian schools for decades. If I had my time overagain, I would not have put the money I spent into a mortage and sent my kids to the local schools instead of staying in a less desirable area and sending my children to christian schooling and having a reduced quality of life with the endless $$$
I thought it was the best option at the time but have discovered that it has inoculated more young adults against christianity instead of educating them in it
The standard of education also varies considerabley. Some are OK others are way below standard and the kids get a poor but expensive education. They are well presented have great uniforms and good manners but there isn’t much substance behind it. Many fall away from the faith when they hit the real world as they have no resources to deal with it other than being told to “stay with like minded people and stay in church”
Most teachers have signed a legal agreement not to say anything negetive about the school,so you are unlikely to get a straight or honest answer when you bring your concerns to them. They are very good at skirting issues, passing the buck, administering bandaid solutions and shaming the parents for daring to tell it as it is. The parents expect that the christian principles they live their lives by will apply to the the school and its administration. The schools talk big about accountability but most of it applies only to the parents and the students not to them at all. The schools have lawyers to protect them and lookout if you dare to cross them.
Many staff quietly leave christian education as they can’t deal with the difference between the principles that they say they are teaching and what is really happening. Many also struggle with following the company line and telling obviouss lie to parents,but they have no alternative if they want to keep their job or have a chance at employment elsewhere.
The schools maybe attached to churches but most are now run strictly as businesses, even though they have that nice feeling that they are all one big happy family praying for one another and supporting each other.
Like others have said, here there are plenty of kids in christian schools who are doing all the things that other youth are doing in the everyday ordinary world. many in the higher years are living one life outside of school and living a different one in school and in front of their parents. This doesn’t make for a good young adulthood or a good parent /child relationship.
If you have doubts about your childrens christian school trust yourself and your natural instincts.
I know of many parents who have been “feared out “of removing their kids from christian schools due to how aweful they think the alternative is.
If it isn’t working for your kid, remove them as the damage done can be considerable and it is hard to undo once the damage is done. If your kids are basically honest and they tell you unpleasant truths about their school BELIEVE THEM.
The system is poorly regulated and has a lot to answer for,but no one is going to say that to you because being christian covers all the problems for many people.
As a business they are good at the face they present to the world and they have a LOT of experience with managing parents. They beat you with experience. There is a lot of money tied up in christian eduaction now and it has changed many of the founding principles of christian education. .
I’m sorry that was your experience
I’m putting my children in a private Christian Daycare and school until they’re in the 2nd grade. The only reason I’m putting them in private Christian school first is so the can build a strong foundation and relationship with Jesus first. That’s what my parents did and it worked out great. Because I grew up learning and loving Jesus first I had a strong connection to him. So as I grew up through my childhood years and as a teenager I would always pray and go to him if I needed some strength or help. It’s building that strong relationship with Jesus first that I want for my child, then they can go to a public school.
That sounds like a good plan!
I lived in a school district that has very good public schools academically. Unfortunately, they are liberal and teach about sex but not really abstinence, they also teach about gender identity, LGBTQ, etc. The private Christian schools I am looking at are academically inferior. SAT scores at the public school are about 200 points higher than the private Christian school. So it is really the choice between high level academics with godlessness or more of a godly community but average academics. I am praying about what would be best for my son. He is very gifted and needs an above average academic program, but I would also like him to have the sense of community found in the Christian school