My husband and I both went to public school.  We each got a good education and subsequently got good jobs.  There is certainly nothing wrong with the public school system as evidenced by our experience.  That being said, we have decided to send our only child to private school.  We feel private school offers just a little bit more than public school and it is is worth the expense. Having 1 child makes it more affordable…sending multiple children to private school can be like paying another mortgage.

He has been going to a PK3-12 private school for the last 2 years. We are very pleased with the administration, the program and the teachers at Harrisburg Academy.  The teachers and administration really care about his growth and development.  They are able to pay attention to his individual needs because the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:8 as opposed to 1:17 (national average).  I have had his teachers point things out I didn’t realize or reaffirm things I had noticed because they spend a full 7 hours a day with him.  They see them interact with other students and teachers on a daily basis while I only see him in his most comfortable place (at home).

He has made so many friends with different kinds of children (some shy like he is, some outgoing, some impish, etc).  There is no bullying in the classroom or on the playground.  The administration has no tolerance for it.  This is important to me as I experienced bullying as a child and could have gone my whole life without it.  I hear so many stories from friends whose children tell stories of “the class bully” or “I was bullied today on the playground” that it breaks my heart.  When 2 teachers are watching 100 children, they can hardly keep it from taking place.

He has opportunities to learn things that are not available in a public school setting.  He started Spanish in Jr Kindergarten.  He took lessons in violin. The end of school concert was a little hard to listen to without cringing (LOL!), but the fact that he knows how to hold a violin, stand on stage and perform is a great experience for him.

The downside to private school is that the kids in the neighborhood are not ready-made-friends.  Kids get to know each other while they are waiting at the bus stop.  I drive Joshua to school and while he has lots of friends there, they live all over the Central PA area and it isn’t as easy for them to get together to play.  Sure I can schedule play-dates, but it is a lot easier for him to go out to play in the yard with the neighbors than drive across town.  If your child or children are going to private school, keep that in mind.  Either strongly encourage them to go outside and make friends or accept the responsibility for getting together with other parents outside the neighborhood.  Now I need to go schedule a play-date!