Leaving Public School?

Many more parents across the country are considering leaving the public school system and taking their children elsewhere. Some are choosing homeschooling, but some are considering private schools.

What should you consider when you are thinking of leaving public schools?

The Cost

Public schools are paid for with tax dollars. I help pay for public schools, although my children have never attended. They may seem like free, but we do pay in taxes.

Private schools, on the other hand, come with a tuition and some fees. Be sure you ask all the right questions regarding the costs, including fundraisers and supplies you may need to purchase. It is often more than what public schools would be. As the child gets older, the cost increases.

If you consider homeschooling, there are costs related to curriculum and possibly an umbrella school (if your state offers that). These costs vary more than private schools, but are always less than private schools. A parent might spend several hundred dollars per child per year to homeschool IF they indulge in all the curriculum that is out there. A frugal parent, however, may make use of more affordable or second hand curriculum and still be successful.

New Expectations

If private school is the path you are seeking, be sure you are aware of expectations. A sixth grade at your local private school will likely have different behavior and academic expectations than what your child had in public school. Take the time to speak with a teacher, the headmaster or principal, and definitely visit the school. A smart idea would be to ask to see some typical assignments/tests that a child would be expected to complete. Some parents choose to repeat the grade in private school that their child just completed in public school due to different expectations. If it doesn’t bother the child, then don’t worry about it. It would matter more to have a successful year as a confidence boost and to fill any learning gaps left from prior years.

If you seek to homeschool, interview or shadow some current homeschool parents. You may also choose to watch some youtube channels from homeschool families. If you are noticing they are all doing the same things in the same ways then let me caution you that you aren’t getting an accurate picture and you need to keep searching. Homeschooling is not easily put into a box since it is so customized. For example, if I watch a youtube video of a homeschool family, they are often NOT doing things the way I do them in my household. Our children, their ages, gender, and personalities are different. Our house is different. Our interests and goals are different. Therefore, our homeschool looks different. You will form your own expectations and then adjust later.

Your child’s needs served

Does your child have an IEP or 504 plan? If your child has a special plan in school to be served with speech, behavior, or academics, be sure to make plans for adjustment if you jump to a private school. Ask the question when you visit the school how your child’s needs will be served. Are modifications made ? Are services provided? If not, you will need to consider getting some outside assistance with a tutor or academic coach.

If you choose the homeschool route, you can make a plan to serve your child’s needs. Did handwriting never fully get mastered? You can devote more time to it. Is your child behind in reading? You can place that as a top priority. Does your child have math facts mastered? If not, you can put math curriculum on hold while your child works exclusively on facts. Make a plan. Get outside help if needed.

End Goal

Finally, consider what the end goal is for your child. We all want our children to graduate. Have you considered your child’s plan after graduation? Have you considered your child’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to a career plan? Some parents know that college is not going to be a good fit for their child. In those instances, parents may not want to go through a college preparatory program at a private school.

Some parents may want their child to pursue sports or music or theatre at a college level. In that case, they will want to consider what those programs are like at a private school. If they choose to homeschool, they will want to seek some outside programs in which their child can participate.

Watch my Private/Public Schools video here!

Get a FREE “Survival Guide for the New Homeschool Family here”

I wish you the best in your journey.

Remember, YOU are your child’s MOST INFLUENTIAL teacher!