Educating your child in a private school: is it a good idea?

Sending your child to a private school is a major, potentially life-changing decision that must be carefully considered. Is it a good idea to uproot the child, put him in a new school, leaving his old schoolmates behind? In my opinion, from someone who has been there, definitely, yes.

My introduction to private school began at the age of 12, when I entered seventh grade at a private all-girls preparatory school called Laurel in Shaker Heights, Ohio. At first I was afraid to leave the familiarity of friends at my old school, a large public school in another city. Every day my parents had to take me to my new school, which was almost an hour from our house. Also, a new school meant making new friends in a new environment, pretty scary for a shy girl like me. Kids can be a bit harsh on the new kid, I was a bit annoyed at first. And to top it off, he had to wear a uniform. No more jeans, t-shirts and casual clothes. At first I thought it was the end of the world.

The truth of the matter was that it changed my life for the better in endless ways. First, the classes were smaller, which meant that each student would receive more attention from the teacher. This was good for learning, but bad for loitering. Oh yes, we Laurel girls were masters of girlish pranks and silliness at times, but we knew we had to behave and saved the fun for study hall. It meant getting down to business, being a more disciplined student. If I was having trouble with a subject, it meant summer school if my grades weren’t up to par. I only needed to go to summer school once, the following summer after seventh grade. In fact, it was a nice experience but a big motivator not to go back there next year.

Even as a teenager, it became clear to me that wearing a uniform every day was a break from worrying about what to wear every day. It gave me the opportunity to focus on other things besides fashion. The uniforms were comfortable, tasteful and no one made fun of anyone else’s fashion sense as we all wore them. We had a choice between blue tartan, solid green herringbone, or light green; along with white, blue or yellow oxford shirts (long or short sleeve). I became a master at ironing shirts, since it had to be done every morning. So, we had a little bit of control over what we used, just a little bit. If we wanted to dress more fashionable or fashionable, we saved it for hangouts with friends after school.

Also, my new school had (and still has) a great area for art, which was my main focus as a kid, being an artist. Laurel School had a whole floor of art! We were allowed to pursue all kinds of art that I had only read about before, such as glazing, Raku pottery, wheel pottery, color theory, and more. In addition, we were encouraged to be creative in other arts such as dance, drama, and music. They had a summer theater camp, which I participated in. There wasn’t a band (I had been in the school band in public school and I missed being able to play an instrument) but there was a glee club and a choir. I got into both, and thoroughly enjoyed them. My new school had a true appreciation for the arts that has led me to continue my interest in all artistic venues throughout my adult life.

Being painfully shy, in private school, there was no way to blend in on the wallpaper. They took me out whether I liked it or not. It was good for me, because that shy kid is not a shy adult at all. The teachers were caring and understanding, welcoming contact with their students. It was wonderful to be invited to my teacher’s Christmas party one year, and since she was shy, she made me stay with her to feel more comfortable. Ms. Priscilla Ford was my algebra teacher, and totally a class act. She taught me math, which was my nemesis at school, and she was also a painter, so she related to my artistic endeavors. My art teacher Mrs. Helen Biehle was also a friend and teacher. It was wonderful to have such powerful and wholesome influences during the turbulent teenage years. I needed a lot of confidence, and as an adult I owe my lack of fear of public speaking to my former speech teacher, Ms. Schenk. Four years of having to get on stage and sweat profusely while giving every kind of speech imaginable can really bring out the shyness in almost everyone.

All in all, private education is a wonderful experience, a quality protection from a busy and crazy world. It was a sheltered existence, but that’s a good thing during the formative years of a young, impressionable child. There were no boys for us girls to flirt with, and there were clear limits to what was accepted of us both socially and academically. He taught us all manners and respect not only for others, but also for the world around us. We took trips almost every year to interesting and educational places like Toronto and Washington DC. Our chaperones were surely too busy taking care of a bunch of excited girls, but we always had a proper good time, wherever we went (no major hiccups or craziness).

Even in private school, we were able to have proms, formal or informal of different kinds, and we had friends who were from other schools. Being in a private school doesn’t mean you don’t have your old friends from school anymore. I kept in touch with some of my old friends and also made new ones. We work hard, but we also have fun. After school, I spent most of my time with my horse, boarded at a local stable. I saw my friends there, and my horse. Then, he went home and studied hard. It was a balance between hard work and fun, in a structured way.

Leaving the safety of my small school (our graduating class had 54 girls) was a bit of a culture shock. I went to a great university, the Rochester Institute of Technology, which was predominantly made up of young men. It took me a bit to get used to, but I didn’t feel at a disadvantage. It was an adventure to try something new. Laurel School had achieved her goal: to produce a self-confident and disciplined young woman who wanted to continue her education. I wholeheartedly recommend private schools, because it always helps to have guidance as we grow as children and young adults. It helps shape our future and promotes confidence. Also, colleges and universities love well-rounded applicants from the schools they receive students from each year. Our full-time college counselor in Laurel worked hard to educate us on colleges we could aspire to. We even had a field trip to some Ohio colleges and universities, from Ohio State to Denison, and others. It was fun to see the different styles of colleges and the learning that best suited our individual needs.

For anyone considering a private education for their children, visit the campus, take a tour, and read the various staff biographies. Talk to teachers and students. Look at different schools as they each have their own feel. Explore financing options with your financial advisor, there are usually scholarships for those who need them. By providing your child with a quality education, you prepare them for a bright future. Public schools are also excellent, it all depends on the individual needs of your child. Where would he or she be happiest and most prosperous? Smaller classes will allow teachers to help bring a shy child out of his shell. She did it for me. It’s worth the risk, if you take it.