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September 20, 2005

In Pursuit of Education : Part Two

Saturday evening, I attended a 25th anniversary celebration for an independent school out in my area that serves infants through 6th grade. It is a school I have been looking at for the Cat (and by default, Spliggle too.) On advisement from an enthusiastic parent, I had gone to one of their open houses a couple months ago and was thoroughly impressed with the headmasters and their educational philosophy. They have lots of animals, an organic garden, and three different play structures, each for a different age group. The “classroom rules” are consistent: the same for each grade level. The “routine” and patterns of learning are similar for each grade level (yet suited for maturity level.) This consistency would be amazing for the Cat.

The friend who had recommended the school has a daughter with an auditory-processing disorder (who happens to be the same age as the Cat.) She had mentioned to me how the school had been accommodating to her “special needs” and how the overall structure and educational philosophy took into consideration different learning styles.

I was impressed during the open house, and I was even more impressed Saturday evening. It was like a wedding! They had a dance floor, little white lights, marvelous food, and even better companionship. I perused photographs of the children and staff, and chuckled at the green and red elves in the holiday play and smiled at the sea of blue-plaid uniforms lined up in front of the Washington Monument: the uniforms were the same, but the faces were all different colors. I interviewed parents for their impressions. They were all so complementary that I wanted to sign up my boys on the spot! They were not snooty or dripping with diamonds as the stereotype may dictate.

The Headmasters were fabulous, as I had remembered from the Open House. The speeches made on behalf of the school were wonderful. One teacher had herself attended as a child, and now her children attend. The Headmasters’ twin daughters also teach at the school and have their children there. Everyone involved with the school who I met was articulate, friendly, and enthusiastic.

I saw in this celebration the same pride and excitement that I feel about my high school. It is certainly tempting to send my boys there.

But then on the other hand, I wonder. Independent schools are expensive. And by sending my children to an independent school, I am sending a signal about our public schools. How can I help improve public schools if I send my children to a private school? I want what is best for the Cat, and since I know that his future teachers are going to need to be a bit flexible to accommodate his need for routine and initial adjustment period, my gut reaction is that the independent school is better for him. It is a “family” that I believe he would trust once he acclimated. The smaller class sizes would give him the opportunity to seek help if necessary. I am concerned that he would be overwhelmed and lost in public school.

I guess the upshot is that I didn’t picture myself ever attending a private school (Part One,) but it was one of the best things that ever happened to me socially and academically. Likewise, I didn’t think I’d be one of “those parents” who sent their kids to an independent school, but if we decide to go that route, it very well might be the best thing that ever happens to the Cat.

Posted by karianna at September 20, 2005 12:18 PM

Comments

Posted by: nita at September 20, 2005 12:45 PM