Is a Private HS Really Better than Public?

somebodynew
Mon, 26 Dec 2005 12:01:09 +0000

Personally, I love my private school - I love the feeling of knowing pretty much the whole staff (admin, teachers, maintenance, food service). I’ve grown tired of the single-sex bit to my school and the dress code (shirt and tie, blazers in the winter) - but I can deal with that for a few more months.

The thing about public schools is that since they have more people, there’s a greater variety of activities and courses that small private schools don’t have. They’re also more diverse. It doesn’t bother me at all, but often I notice that I’m the only non-white kid in a class or something - I laugh about it with my friends and use it to throw in a good joke now and then, but the point is at the public schools in my area, that would never happen.

I believe that for the public/private debate, it’s all about what environment you prefer and if your parents can afford it. Luckily, my school is very generous with financial aid - I think like a third of the school receives some grant money, so I was able to go to the school I wanted to without much strain.