|
|
Parent Answers to "How do public and private schools compare in San Francisco?"
View 2 answers: Newest-Oldest,
Oldest-Newest Display all answers
I agree with the last half of mamakruger's assessment of public and private schools -- I think lower grades are pretty equal in the way of benefits, but private high schools seem better (unless you can get into Lowell).
My two cents about public schools is this: Yes, there are more challenges, but also so many more benefits. I do believe that in a global world that is getting "flatter," being a part of a diverse school is more important than ever. My son's friend is from India and doesn't eat meat for religious reasons and as a result, my son knows all about the role of cows in their culture. Another family is from Russia and the student has brought in Russian food for the class. One day we were walking by a European market and he pointed out all the treats he's eaten because of her. Can you get that sort of experience in a private school? Maybe, but I think it would be the exception and not the norm.
Academics are very important to us, but we chose as a family to live in SF for the diversity -- culturally, economically, socially. And to "shelter" our kids from it seems to defeat the whole purpose of being here -- and if I'm not going to take advantage of it, I'd rather be in the suburbs where I'd at least have a yard ;)
My two cents about public schools is this: Yes, there are more challenges, but also so many more benefits. I do believe that in a global world that is getting "flatter," being a part of a diverse school is more important than ever. My son's friend is from India and doesn't eat meat for religious reasons and as a result, my son knows all about the role of cows in their culture. Another family is from Russia and the student has brought in Russian food for the class. One day we were walking by a European market and he pointed out all the treats he's eaten because of her. Can you get that sort of experience in a private school? Maybe, but I think it would be the exception and not the norm.
Academics are very important to us, but we chose as a family to live in SF for the diversity -- culturally, economically, socially. And to "shelter" our kids from it seems to defeat the whole purpose of being here -- and if I'm not going to take advantage of it, I'd rather be in the suburbs where I'd at least have a yard ;)
I grew up in SF and went to private. My husband also grew up in SF and went to public. Our school experiences where night and day. Granted, demographics have changed in this City over the last 20 years but in our day, public was rough. My husband does not want to consider public for our kids but, having kept an open mind, I have been doing some research. I have found that public schools in SF offer better enrichment classes (music, ballet, art etc..) than private. Public also has better after school care programs. Private schools offer the promise of a well-prepared child ready for private high schools thus can better compete for those coveted university slots. My husband and his close public school circle (who are all very successful, college educated adults) all had to struggle to catch up once they started college. They all joke about how high school did not prepare them for the college experience. Where as my experience in a private high school, college was not a huge adjustment. Having said that, I have found that public K-5 and private K-5 are about equal. Public High Schools still have a lot to be desired so my vote goes to Private. In fact, the best of both would be to send the kids to public K-5, then transfer kids to private for 6-12. That's my 2 cents (for what its worth).
Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of
GreatSchools. GreatSchools does not check for accuracy in community posts or verify the contributor’s
identity. If you are searching for health-related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical
support. View our Community Guidelines for more details.
Local Q&A
Top cities
Browse questions about
Local Q&A is brand new! What do you think? Give us your feedback in our feedback forum.
Read our community guidelines and FAQ
