What is it like going from private to public elementary school? Seriously considering but not sure.

My son started in a parochial preschool, went to public for a couple of years, then to a private independent school through 8th grade, back to a Catholic high school, and is now in college. He is "all of your kids rolled into one." (He's gifted, but has ADHD & dyslexia, and had some bullies targeting him for awhile.)

As the other posters have pointed out, not all public schools are the same. In my son's case, he had behavioral challenges due to his ADHD, and being very bright, he was bored in Kdg. & 1st. The public schools by us did have gifted programs, but they didn't start until 3rd grade. Instead, we decided to place him a smaller, independent private gifted school. While he got plenty of academic challenge, that's where he also had the problem with some bullies. (All it took was one week when the regular teacher was out sick, and the substitute didn't nip things in the bud, so they got out of hand.) We ended up paying for tutoring ourselves, in the areas where our son needed extra help.

My nieces and nephew started off in parochial schools, and then switched to magnet public schools in the city limits of Chicago, and have had phenomenally good experiences. My nephew is now in college, and got several "full 4-year scholarship" offers to various prestigious universities. I expect his sisters to get similar generous offers.

I guess what I'm trying to emphasize is what everyone else has been saying...there are some very good schools of all kinds, including public (especially magnets and charters) just as there are some problems people can have, even in private schools. The fact you've had such a positive experiences does give you a lot to bring/share with whatever school your children attend. I've been involved in all the schools my son has attended, whether public, private, or parochial. Each has their plusses and minuses, but by being an involved parent, you'll also be an informed parent, and I think your kids will be fine wherever they're at.

Three children in a private school is lot money with a family without a job and even with a family with a job. Have you check in with the school to see if they have any available scholarship.

My son's Catholic school issues scholarships to many families with low income or without a job and the school fee is low with a church membership.

My daughter, almost nine is moving back to a private school. The public school is good, but my daughter's learning is deteriorating although she is one of the best students in her grade/school. As at now I am worry because the damaged has be done and it will be difficult for her to compete with other students in a different state or country. I am hoping for the best.

I agree with MM, see what you can do with the available public schools. I wish you have choices with this decision.

Best wishes!

I can't tell you I made the switch, vbazan, because my kids have been in public schools for their entire lives. But my son's a very successful college student now at a phenomenal private college, and my daughter is a second grader at a great public school.

All of the things are available at public schools, if you look for them. And where they're not available, some schools welcome parental involvement and cooperation.

Some parents, particularly those involved with private schools, feel that the private school community can't be duplicated without writing a check each month. And for some, that might be true.

But in today's Internet age, and with the benefit of school choice, you can seek out quality public school experiences in many parts of the country. And like a magic lamp, with a little elbow grease, it becomes a work of art.

While you are out of a job, currently, you could easily donate time to the school. If the school doesn't have an afterschool enrichment program, you could help interview companies to come in and teach the enrichment. And public schools aren't more likely to have bullying incidents than private schools.

If you let me know what area you are in, I'll see what I can find regarding to school choice. States like California give parents many, many ways to choose the school that's right for them.

Good luck with your decision.

I currently have three kids in the lower school of a wonderful independent school. My oldest is in 3rd grade. If cost weren't an issue (or if I could find a job in this impossibly difficult job market), I'd happily keep them there. The culture is open, parental involvement is phenomenal, teachers have been there for years and are second to none, the praise goes on and on. I'd love to stay but it's time to double-check our decision.

I agree that making a move to public would be easier while they're in the lower grades. I'm concerned about such things as bullying, academic support or enrichment - and one of each of my kids needs either of this kind of service. Large class sizes is a big concern.

And I'm increasingly concerned that public schools aren't giving kids the education they need to compete in the global marketplace that is now and the future. SOL's are a joke since most schools teach to the test that they're capable of administering. Can you tell that I'm not thrilled about looking outside of our nice little private community?

It's a hard decision but one that must be explored for the greater good of my family. And I know that most kids are just fine in public schools, and that there are some extraordinary public schools out there. We just don't live in their districts. So at this moment I'm stuck evaluating the schools we do have in our district and some of what I've seen makes me cringe. Am I making too much of my concerns? Tell me most of you who've made the switch ended up being pleasantly surprised by the experience.