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Hi there, I am curious about everyone's opinion of the school systems around Syracuse specifically F-M, J-D vs the private schools like MPH, Montessori and the Catholic schools? I am interested in hearing opinions on the older grades and also the elementary education. Would very much appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
Hi there, I am curious about everyone's opinion of the school systems around Syracuse specifically F-M, J-D vs the private schools like MPH, Montessori and the Catholic schools? I am interested in hearing opinions on the older grades and also the elementary education. Would very much appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
It's the same net result, as far as education is concerned. With those as the public school "fallbacks," the private schools are definitely not, imo, worth the cost of tuition.
What are you looking for specifically? Is this a comparison of the top school districts versus private schools? What about other top public schools at higher levels? Any interest in special education?
We currently are in the J-D school district but have considered moving to F-M or to Cazenovia and are also weighing out the possibility of sending our children to MPH or Montessori or Catholic school. We have a boy and a girl and are looking for a school experience for then where they feel safe, supported, and engaged. We recognize that we live in an area where there are tons of good school districts-- I mean it seems like you can't go wrong with any of the districts around. So we are questioning what could be gained by a private school when the school districts are so good. I don't like all the state testing that seems to go on and a private school wouldn't have that. Also it seems that there may be less bullying in a private school but maybe this isn't true. Our kids are very young and the oldest would be going to Pre-K next year so we don't have experience in the schools yet. Thanks for your thoughts.
We currently are in the J-D school district but have considered moving to F-M or to Cazenovia and are also weighing out the possibility of sending our children to MPH or Montessori or Catholic school. We have a boy and a girl and are looking for a school experience for then where they feel safe, supported, and engaged. We recognize that we live in an area where there are tons of good school districts-- I mean it seems like you can't go wrong with any of the districts around. So we are questioning what could be gained by a private school when the school districts are so good. I don't like all the state testing that seems to go on and a private school wouldn't have that. Also it seems that there may be less bullying in a private school but maybe this isn't true. Our kids are very young and the oldest would be going to Pre-K next year so we don't have experience in the schools yet. Thanks for your thoughts.
There's state testing for every student, by state law. Public, private and home-schooled children too. I've experienced all three at different ages - private schools have no less bullying than a good public school. I saw more at private schools, largely based on income disparity. In our district - FM - bullying is nipped in the bud pretty quickly. That's just experience in the elementary schools though, not high school.
I think that J-D is just fine, but I can see why you may be concerned with bullying and the emphasis on testing.
I think another thing to think about is costs in terms of paying school taxes and paying tuition.
Depending on the private school, there are things you could gain things that are possibly important to you. Maybe you like the faith based aspect of a Catholic/Christian school. At MPH, it could be about connections and the non sectarian, private environment which may offer freedom in terms of a curriculum. Montessori may be the style of learning you prefer for your child. So, it will depend on your family's preference.
I think that J-D is just fine, but I can see why you may be concerned with bullying and the emphasis on testing.
I think another thing to think about is costs in terms of paying school taxes and paying tuition.
Depending on the private school, there are things you could gain things that are possibly important to you. Maybe you like the faith based aspect of a Catholic/Christian school. At MPH, it could be about connections and the non sectarian, private environment which may offer freedom in terms of a curriculum. Montessori may be the style of learning you prefer for your child. So, it will depend on your family's preference.
Faith-based schools, with a few rare exceptions, are not as faith-encouraging as parents would like to think they are. lol
And MPH is insanely expensive. I went to quite a few classes and competitions there during high school and their own students agreed that the tuition was for the connections and pride, but the education wasn't any better than any other good school with specialized help available... which the good, public school districts have.
The Catholic schools will just insure they learn how to cuss at a younger age.
I thought that was only my own experience. lol - I went from 4th grade at a good public school, where saying stupid was frowned upon, to 5th grade at a Catholic school, where everyone swore immediately out of the teachers' earshot.
Thanks for the responses. This is definitely a lot of what we are feeling too- the expense of private school like MPH would likely preclude us from saving serious money for the college funds for our children. Proulxfamily-could you tell me pros and cons of FM? Are your children ever bored in school? How are the ratios of student:teacher? What do they do for gifted students when they identify them? Do they wait until 3rd grade to challenge them more? I really appreciate this feedback as we are leaning strongly toward public but feel compelled to try to compare the options as best we can now. Thanks.
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