<p>Before child #1 hit high school we made the decision to move to what we saw as the “best” school district in the area for our kids’ sakes. Housing was somewhat more expensive and property taxes were definitely higher, but it was worth it and still less than private HS for 4 children. And if we had had to live in a smaller house in this area, we would have done that too.</p>
<p>They went to a religious school for K-8 and that was enough tuition for us!</p>
<p>Not my last payment for D1’s pvt sch education, but my last year! Still 4 years to go w/ D2, who attended public school through 3rd grade. NY has some great public schools, but almost all of the them are HUGE in terms of both class size and school size.</p>
<p>dabost, D1 might not appreciate the value of a $ but she appreciates the value of her private sch educat - - especially since she apparently scored well on PSAT and colleges have begun contacting her.</p>
<p>Mommusic, you should consider yourself extremely lucky. I really believe that no matter how much research you do, you cannot adequately judge a public school system until you have experienced it, and by then it may be too late. I could tell you horror stories.</p>
<p>Atomom, you are a hero in my book. I have a very good friend who homeschools her 4, and I’m constantly in awe of her. </p>
<p>Archermom, be assured you aren’t alone, and guess what? It turns out that cooking dinner for everyone every night is a major factor in family togetherness, children excelling in school and virtually every other good thing you can think of! Besides, my sons’ friends love to come for dinner, and that has extended into the college years. I ADORE having them all come over during breaks, and sometimes they even come when my son isn’t home! HA!</p>
<p>nyc–hang in there!</p>
<p>wyogal, we had lived in the area for 20 years and knew the reputation of the various school districts in the area, plus had many friends who had gravitated to that district. We were confident we were making the right decision and besides, we really couldn’t afford private high school. And our kids’ HS offers much that the private schools don’t, all under one roof–Latin, Hebrew, multivariable Calculus, theatre, variety of art classes, variety of band/orchestra/choir classes, and diversity of student body. My kids all had somewhat different interests & strengths and I was happy it was all there for them.</p>
<p>Sorry to be getting off thread, but I did want to explain. I guess the point is we all do what’s best for our children, whether private or public or homeschooling!</p>
<p>“I really believe that no matter how much research you do, you cannot adequately judge a public school system until you have experienced it, and by then it may be too late. I could tell you horror stories.”</p>
<p>What’s wrong with public school? Maybe it’s different in the States, but I don’t think it’s so bad.</p>
<p>We did public schools until junior year in high school when, in NC, admission to state magnet boarding school offered a totally free boarding school experience. That said, I always thought the exposure of my kids to great cultural and sociological diversity at public school gave us an opportunity to discuss and process lots of life issues. It always worried me that if they encountered these things later, without adult supervision, it would be harder. I liked having them bring these experiences and exposures home to me for discussion. Sure, I had to press teachers and principals about certain things, but fortunately enough time and savy to do it.</p>
<p>I think most of the public schools in Texas are terrible. This is my opinion. I also think many of the good public schools in the country are uneven with respect to quality of faculty and consistency of instruction. I think there is too much pressure to take AP-everything and to compete for grades. There is much less of this in private schools- especially boarding school. You might think it would be the opposite, but this is not my experience.<br>
As far as choosing private school to avoid some of the pitfalls of modern culture, I think the problems in private school are just as bad- perhaps different, but just as bad. You probably won’t get knifed or shot, and you have a more affluent and academically-oriented group of peers with whom to drink and do drugs.<br>
There are plusses and minuses to every choice, but there are only a few areas in the entire country where I would want my kid in public high school.</p>
<p>Three more terms of private rpimary/secondary tuitions–after 14 years. One friend used to tell me that paying private school tuition was good training for paying private university tuition!</p>
<p>Nothing I’d rather spend mymoney on!</p>
<p>Wyogal, absolutely! Very rarely did we miss “family time” over dinner each evening…good food and LOTS of conversation. When all 3 were very young–in elementary and preschool–D2 use to raise her hand and wait her turn to be called on! 
And when D1 was in high school, all 3 would talk at once! I was exhausted at the end of the meal! 
Thanks for the reminder</p>