How to decide - public v private

up until 12 months ago, the decisions relating to DD's school were pretty straight forward - there was one kinder, one primary school in town, and the option of one of two high schools for her to catch the bus to (which would have been an easy decision - one is a km from Granma if i'm working, the other 40mins drive from Granma if needed, so a bit of a no brainer)

now, it's all up in the air and i'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. our current town has seven or eight primary schools, and several high schools.

the public schools all appear to be zoned, from what i can gather. we love where we currently live BUT, the nearby primary school has the worst reputation. we're in a lovely newish estate with great neighbours, but on the other side of the school is what my taxi-driving dad refers to as "the Bronx" or "dead beat city" - now, i don't want to enter a debate about generalisations (cos i've already ripped dads head off about that!) - but it has me thinking that maybe it's not the school we want DD to attend. DH has some learning difficulties, I have always done well academically - DD could go either way. If she is switched on, it's not going to matter which school she attends. if she has some of DH's learning problems, having extra one on one could be more beneficial for her. if she is like me and wants to expand her learning with extra curriculars, the private schools seem to be a better option

If we go private, we have the choice of a Christian college (P-12), Anglican college (3yo kinder-10 at the moment, but is set to expand to being P-12 well before DD hits that stage) or Catholic primary and then stand alone Catholic secondary

we are Catholic (DD and myself) - DH isn't. Academically speaking, the Catholic school leaves a bit to be desired (if current reputation is to be believed). the Anglican college seems to be the one that appeals most - but it's expensive. and DH is unemployed due to health issues. so to pay for it, we would seriously struggle. the set up at the moment in terms of normal course content and extra curriculars appeals

after reading Olive's thread about paying for private secondary school, on top of the thoughts i've been having based on work convos, i'm just not sure what to do!! we could move to another rental before she starts primary school, so we're zoned to the only public one in town that has a consistently good reputation - but it would mean an older, smaller house, less backyard etc. and i'm not sure it's worth it

is it wrong to be catholic and to send DD to another private/religious school? I'm thinking well in advance as the Anglican College having 3yo kinder means we'd be looking to start DD in 2013 so have to know by - well, soon! i'm of the thought that, if she is going to attend, it would be better to do it from the get go, so she develops friendships early kwim?

the Anglican college also has scholarships - but i'm not sure what sort of criteria they look at

anyway, that's a bit of a jumble - any opinions appreciated!

I think you need to look for the school with aligns with your own ideals and beliefs and go from there. It wont be bad to send your DD to a religious school that isn't catholic.

I'd be making appointments to see each school and get a feel for it yourself. It is so hard to rely on what others tell you as often information is 2nd or 3rd hand already and could even be out of date kwim?

Also you don't have to go to the school you are zoned for...you can apply for out of zone enrolement to any public school...you wouldn't have to move to do that.

i dont think you can really decide on a school until you visit them first and see which one feels right.
i desperately wanted to send DD1 to a lutheran college close to us because i just loved everything about it but the reality of sending 3 kids to the school we were looking at in excess of $11k per year (each yr the fee's go up and each yr level is more expensive) so it really wasnt feesable for us.
The school she is going to is zoned and not for our area, but if u register your interest before the enrollment week, alot of times you can still get into the school.
Good luck, it is a hard decsion

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I'd be making appointments to see each school and get a feel for it yourself. It is so hard to rely on what others tell you as often information is 2nd or 3rd hand already and could even be out of date kwim?

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fortunately (i think lol) with the job i'm in, most people there are parents with kids at different levels of school in the town. i know the other public school that i could try and plead a case for (due to proximity for work) has had three families move their kids out for fairly serious issues - so as much as i was considering that one previously, i have soured to it a bit. i tend to base how much i believe what i'm hearing on who i'm hearing it from. there are some people i tend to think lie half the time, and elaborate the rest of the time! but others i know are genuine, and, the reasons for removing their kids, for example, are things that are serious and have been dealt with very poorly at the school level.

argh - she's only TWO! don't wanna think about this at the moment - but i don't have a lot of choice!!

I totally get your point. I tend to do that too, but some of the things I hear about the other schools around here make me think hmmmmmm, surely it can't be like that otherwise why would they still have kids going there.

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I totally get your point. I tend to do that too, but some of the things I hear about the other schools around here make me think hmmmmmm, surely it can't be like that otherwise why would they still have kids going there.

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i guess people don't think they have a lot of choice
and some people can overlook it (or don't have the time or mental energy to fight it)
some people don't see education as a priority - unfortunately it's seen as something they send their kids to cos they have no choice

i am hoping DD doesn't have learning issues as DH does - she is a smart cookie - but seems more interested in hands on learning than drawing/reading/writing type play at the moment. she also has visual issues already, which we know may cause issues. i guess i don't want her to be lost by just skimming by in school - if she has issues, i want confidence it will be noticed. if she has strengths and wants to engage in extra curriculars related to those strengths, i want that opportunity for her too kwim?

My parents are catholic and anglican. We attended a anglican church when I was a child....until the church changed priests and my parents thought the new priest was a hypocryt and we stopped going to church completely as the next closest church was too far away to drive to. My Dad to this day still calls himself a "non-practising catholic"...he never referred to himself a anglican.

As a adult, my first serious boyfriend was catholic and I attended church with him on several occasions....and to be prefectly honest (hopefully without being offensive), the only difference I could see to the church I grew up in was references to Mary where Jesus or God/Lord was referred to in the anglican church. The prayers and even the structure of the service was almost identical.

If I were at this time, a practicing church goer and I had the choice of a catholic or anglican primary/high school to send my child too, I would most likely choose anglican as this is the church I attended as a child, but I honestly believe the differences between these two churchs are so minute that it should be considered "wrong" to send your child to the other church's school. If you were talking catholic Vs Buddist....that might be a different story as the religions are very different and have very different beliefs.

thanks Mel
i have a similar opinion of the two - they are both Christian religions - just a little different in the finer details. i think if DH was asked to label himself (based on baptism) it would be the Anglican church. i think my struggle comes from baptising DD Catholic when she was only weeks old, and feeling a bit hypocritical shunning the catholic school when there is one in the middle of town, in preference for an Anglican school - but it's not about the religion at all for me - it's about the educational opportunities for her

I don't think it'd be wrong to send her to the Anglican school.
It comes down to what you thunk is the best option for DD.

I went to Catholic school, DH is an atheist. DS goes to a private ecumenical school that doesnt teach religion but is based on judeo-Christian ethic. The other non govt. school I looked at was a Lutheran school. If we'd gone with a religious school, I really wouldn't have had an issue sending the boys to a school of a different denomination than Catholic. Anglican schools are by reputation very good and also seem to teach about all religions not just their own.
As far as zoning goes, schools often have a quota of out of zone students they can take. It varies from year to year, per school, depending howany kids in their zone they can take, and how many other kids the education dept specifically requests they take. If they have places left over then they cNntake kids outside their zone.

If you are interested in an out of zone school, enquire now. If they have a quota list and there's. Name they recognize on it, and they know you want to go there, there's a better chance of getting in

If the educational benefits are at the anglican church - go with that.
Afterall, unless she plans to become a priest (which if my memory serves me correctly the catholic church will not allow simply due to the fact she's female) - education is what's going to be the basis for her life.
Religion is a personal life choice and will not assist her feed her own family when the time comes.

I went to a Methodist school but my parents and myself were all Catholic. It wasn't an issue for us. There were Jewish, Muslim, Christian (Uniting, Protestant, Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian) and Catholic students, along atheists and agnostics, at the school.

It really depends on the school - but I'd follow your heart. If you don't believe that the school is right for you and DD, then choose another school.

My DSs go to the local primary near my parents' home because it's more convenient. It's 12-16 mins drive from my house. I have a fabulous, fantastic primary school right around the corner, but it's not practical, so they go near my parents. Horses for courses and all that.

ok, IF we go with the Anglican school - do you think there is benefit in forking out maybe 10 times as much for 3yo and 4yo kinder to get her used to the school (it's on same campus), and the kids? from what i have read, the program they use helps prepare them for that school while still doing normal "kinder" things. i'm a really shy person that doesn't make friends easily IRL, so i was wondering if i'm paying the extra money and starting her with kids she'll go to school with for however many years is a smarter move than having her in the public system and then moving her

Depends on the kinder teacher and the vibe you get from the kinder. That is - both the private kinder and the public kinder! And if the $$ guarantees you a place at the kinder, whereas it might not be so easy in the public system...

We had Anglican kids at our Catholic school, but that, public & Lutheran were the only choices.

As mentioned, you can try to get into a school out of the zoned area, but its up to the school & class sizes etc to weather or not they'll accept you.

I have found with the whole reputation thing, that rarely anyone can back what they say with any concrete. A lot I have found it based on pure snobbery.

When we first moved here, DH was insistent the girls would go to a certain with a good rep. To this day, I cannot find out why is has a good rep. Yes, it has gorgeous old buildings, but it is overcrowded (due to the "good" rep), there is virtually no outdoor area as they have brought in relocatables. School pick and drop off is a nightmare. The school with the bad rep, once investigated, was not so bad after all (the problems of the past had moved on) and due to it not being popular, has fantastic student teacher ratios.

As someone who has been both to the good and bad school, I can say that the bad school was the best for me and then going to the good school just about ruined my education.

I go with the suggestion of checking out the schools, go with what you feel. At the end of the day, if you choose wrong, you can always change.

you can attend any public primary school, they are NOT zoned (DD will attend primary in a different council).
Our local i can see from our house but shes not going there.
Highschool is different and is zoned but you can apply

It depends on the area, Olive - my DS's school is zoned. Strictly. The school right near me is a "neighbourhood" school - if it's your closest school, you're in. If not, then you have to prove why they should take you!

I was very fortunate to live in the zone when my eldest started school, otherwise there was no chance he'd get in. Now I've moved, I don't have to move him out of the school - because he started there, they can both finish there. As I said... lucky!

i think it's like that here too Div - it's all the same school, just different campuses - and it's zoned depending on where you live and i am under the impression you need to fight to go to the campus that isn't nearest you. the high school i went to was the same (well, not in the town i was in - there was only one campus - but there were two campuses as well as the senior campus in the next town - and you were zoned to the school nearest you)

the primary schools in the towns i grew up in were the same. mum actually lived in one of the towns when one of the schools opened and she was one of the poor sods forced to move school based on her address.

id just ring BG!!

you'd think that would be easy for me, given the job i do all day - but i have a serious issue (ok, it borders on a phobia!) of actually ringing people!

Well ive just been through this, picking which school to send our eldest too.

Most public schools are zoned so u would have to check with the school.

Attend all the open days,info nights to help you decide.

find out fee's and extra costs.

My Dh is catholic but doesnt practice it, so we were going to send Ashley to a catholic primary but simply we cant afford to send him. Soo i looked at the local primary took a tour info night etc and it seems to be a very good school. its got 300 students so its not over crowded.

As for the kinder aspect, it all depends on whcih one she goes, but when u attend the open days you will have a fairly good idea and feel as to which best suits E.
Once u get that school picking is basiclly the same.

email? I feel the same, I hate ringing people & won't if I don't have too.

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Well ive just been through this, picking which school to send our eldest too.

Most public schools are zoned so u would have to check with the school.

Attend all the open days,info nights to help you decide.

find out fee's and extra costs.

My Dh is catholic but doesnt practice it, so we were going to send Ashley to a catholic primary but simply we cant afford to send him. Soo i looked at the local primary took a tour info night etc and it seems to be a very good school. its got 300 students so its not over crowded.

As for the kinder aspect, it all depends on whcih one she goes, but when u attend the open days you will have a fairly good idea and feel as to which best suits E.
Once u get that school picking is basiclly the same.

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Talk to the Priest if you really want to go to the local Catholic school, fees should be negotiable or at least payment options.

My cousin is a single parent with no financial suppt from her ex who only works part time, and the school were really good. This was in hoppers crossing, not sure all catholic ones are the same, she just went to Sunday mass and spoke with the Priest afterward.

Pandora - your cousin's catholic school must have been one of the more flexible ones then! My kids go to a catholic primary school and my mum teaches at another one - as she says "schools have become more like a business nowadays" and are actually not that flexible on fees. They are definitely not negotiable and as for payment options, well once you are accepted and in the school you may be able to raise that but inititially I doubt very much at all.

have sent an email to one school tonight. will have a look at the others and possibly do the same.

It may depends on which order it's associated with. Some of the families at my high school used to barter. One man built the school's stone fence and gates in place of fees.

Most schools should be able to tell you their fee structure upfront. None of the schools we looked at had an issue with it.

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They are definitely not negotiable and as for payment options, well once you are accepted and in the school you may be able to raise that but inititially I doubt very much at all.

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My eldest has just been accepted at a Catholic Primary school. We are in a street on the actual boundary so it was touch and go whether we would get a place.

Speaking to the Principal and the Priest, both were adamant that their were payment plans for school fees as they realise that some people don't have the money to pay lump sum. There is also the expectation that we will aid in fundraising, working bees, volunteering etc. They both advised that as my DH and I are working full-time that they will accommodate that as much as possible and minimise the time needed during business hours. When we worked it out, it is only 2 days during the week per year and about 3 days on the weekend.

I am not sure who starting school is scarier for, me or DS.

I am going to make enquiries at the Catholic school, and am waiting on the info pack from the other private one we're interested in. These two schools both come with good reputations. Apparently we can negotiate with the finance officer to start paying fees at the more exxy school as soon as an offer is made (which would be 6 months before she is due to start) and can pay extra so that there is less stress when fees go up etc. i am getting a payrise next week (yay me lol) so i am thinking i may just syphon the extra each pay into another account (i'll open one with mum so i can't take it out again lol) and make sure i have application fees and things ready to go as soon as the time comes around.

i am also getting info about the public schools. the general consensus is that they are acceptable if you can't go private, but the gap between public and private is pretty big

Have you looked at the MySchool website? The info is government sponsored and the test scores are supposedly reasonably accurate.

I personally am not sure about the myschools web site anymore.

I don't think its as accurate as people think.:dunno:

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I'd approach the schools directly if you want to know about their results and performance, rather then the myschool website. Whil i think its good to consider what's on there, It's only based on one test where the schools will have a much better breadth of information available.