School options for the kids

[autumn]

Hey guys! I just wanted to get some opinions on what schools, etc. are better for young kids. To be more specific, would you recommend public schools for military children, or the schools on base? My son is 5 and by the time we get back to AD he will be entering into 1st grade. I am able to compare public schools in each district, but I can't compare them with the schools on base. I want to make sure he is getting the best education possible without putting him into any private schools. I am leaning toward military schools (or schools on base) bc I feel like he will be with other children whose father's are gone which will help him to relate better with new children, but I dont know how they rank. Any ideas or opinions on this?
Thanks!

[stepmom2SEAL]

Can't really compare that particular school, but I've found that at any school it really depends more on the teacher than the school anyway... I agree the support of other peers will make it easier, and as long as you're reading to them and sharing info you feel like they need (your opinions on the world) then they'll get the basic education they will need to build on in later years. Keep on top of what they're learning, and when they get things wrong, make sure they understand why they got it wrong (teachers don't often have time to really go over it individually - and there were many times that I could see why my child put one answer, but I'd have to tell them they have to answer what's expected...).

Good Luck!

[soccermom]

Where will you be when he returns to AD? If you will be coming to Coronado or the San Diego area, I don't know of any schools on a base. There are some elementary schools in navy housing communities that are run by the local school districts. You can check the scores for those schools just as you would other public schools. If you're coming this way, and tell me what area you'll be living in, I may be able to pass along something that the scores don't tell you. As far as wanting to be in a school with other military kids, that won't be hard to find. Any public school near or in a military housing area will have a significant percentage. A lot of private schools are the same way and there is also a sizable military homeschooling population here. Let me know if I can help you with Coronado/San Diego info.

[waffle5689]

I know a military sgt. paid top dollar like around $3,000 or more for his daughter. Best choice he ever made he told me. Simply because private schools specialize just on your children's needs. Your paying for quality.

Now as the saying goes. There is nothing free in this world. There is always a price, and if it is free. There is always a catch.

The thing I question is. If you really want the best quality education for your son. What is the price your willing to pay for the best education? Because I know for sure your not getting it for free. What is the worth of your child's education to you?

Plus on top of that. What is another element that made our country so great today? Capitalism. Private schools are a business providing a service. They have competitors, which keeps them on track. Always looking for your best interest, because you are a customer. Public schools are not a business.

The public school system I went through. Its education was so poor. That they had computers teaching their children. To cut down on payroll for the teachers.

Plus it gets all the students that are falling behind to get caught up to graduate with their class. To make the school look good that this so many students graduated, and really behind the scenes. Just made the student sit behind a computer for several hours to get their credits.

Then as for all the children falling behind. They stick them in special education to get more funds from the federal govt. All they need to say is he/her has behavior problems. We need more money.

In other places. They also have teacher unions, which tells you another thing. The teachers are only there for their interest not yours, nor your children's education. All they care about is increasing your tax's so they can get a bigger pay check in the mail. It's true google it.

I can spend all day slamming public schools. But this is my own personal opion, my advice is put your child in a private school/military school. If I ever have a child I will never have them go through the public schools. If I can't afford it. I can easily home school them.

[soccermom]

[ If I ever have a child I will never have them go through the public schools. If I can't afford it. I can easily home school them.[/QUOTE]

My mantra through ten years of homeschooling is one I borrowed from my husband and his colleagues, "The only easy day was yesterday". Homeschooling can be an effective and worthwhile option but it is not an easy alternative, I promise you.

While I believe you when you say that you had a poor education at a public school, I have many friends with children who are learning well in public schools. These parents love their children and they are doing what they feel is best for their families. Although we have chosen private schools & homeschooling for our children, I know that there are many dedicated teachers in public schools who are not in it for the pay.

Keep in mind also that private schools, if you have a few children, can be in the tens of thousands of dollars a year ($3000/year is by no means top dollar) and homeschooling requires one parent to stay home full time. I admire your high standards for your future children but please remember that it is much easier to have high standards than to use them.

[bigv123]

I thought I might be able to give another perspective on this. My father was a career officer (23 years), as such, I grew up on military bases all over the continental US. Moving every 3-4 years to a new base provided me with exposure to quite a few different educational systems. Public, Private, and on-base education.

Looking back on it now and trying to be as objective as possible, the on-base education tended to be better than the public education systems of the region. Although, there are some notable exceptions. I went to high school in Alabama. Ordinarily, not a bastion of great public education. However, the public school system has a college-prep magnate school program that I was accepted to for high school. Despite being a public institution, it was an outstanding academic environment and prepared me for college much better than even the private schools of the area. This school ranks in the top 100 nationally every year. Point being, you can find options even in areas that we collectively equate to "poor" educational regions.

Private schools tend to be very much a "you get what you pay for" deal. Baseline, minimalist private schools aren't going to yield a significantly better educational experience. In fact, in some cases it would be worse than the public school equivalent. As tuition scales upward, so does the quality of instruction as well as facilities...not that this should surprise anyone of course. While it's generally true, as was my personal experience, that private > public, understand that isn't always the case and that the truly excellent private schools may be out of the price range for us regular folks.

All in all, I had a very good experience with On-Base schools and when I transfered in mid-year to a public school in another state, I found that I was a full semester ahead of that program. Private schools can be very valuable especially in the pre-K and early primary school years. But, don't neglect the public school option. There may be some excellent resources available. And remember, primary and secondary school are about more than JUST academics. The social skills that are built and grown (both positive and negative) are significant and should be taken into account.

At the end of the day however, what your child/children get out of education will come down to two primary criteria imho. First and foremost is effort. You get back what you put in. Most kids would much rather play and goof off than study and read. As a parent you have to convince them of the VALUE of school and education on their terms. Second, you as a parent much be engaged with your child on a daily basis regarding their education. This doesn't mean you ask them "how was school today?" at dinner. You have to do a lot more than that. You have to become vested in your child's education. Direct involvement is the key. Talk WITH them about school and their life around the institution. When parents show that they truly care about what happens to their son/daughter on a daily basis, it goes a long way toward enriching the educational experience for that student.

Anyway...just my thoughts from a former military brat. Hopefully it helps in some way...

V

[waffle5689]

[ If I ever have a child I will never have them go through the public schools. If I can't afford it. I can easily home school them.

My mantra through ten years of homeschooling is one I borrowed from my husband and his colleagues, "The only easy day was yesterday". Homeschooling can be an effective and worthwhile option but it is not an easy alternative, I promise you.

While I believe you when you say that you had a poor education at a public school, I have many friends with children who are learning well in public schools. These parents love their children and they are doing what they feel is best for their families. Although we have chosen private schools & homeschooling for our children, I know that there are many dedicated teachers in public schools who are not in it for the pay.

Keep in mind also that private schools, if you have a few children, can be in the tens of thousands of dollars a year ($3000/year is by no means top dollar) and homeschooling requires one parent to stay home full time. I admire your high standards for your future children but please remember that it is much easier to have high standards than to use them.

I agree with you. Just the experience I went through, never want my children to go through what I did. I know homeschooling is not a easy task, specially with the limited time these days.

Yes there is dedicated teachers in public schools, and not all public schools are bad. It's just the system it was built upon needs to be totally be redone.

I think what the Govt ought to do. Is two things one. Have military public schools that teaches our children about politics, military, and other basics. Have the children understand why these matters are so important.

Second design the public school system like what the USPS does. The USPS use's Fedex, UPS, and others to ship their products. USPS offers dirt cheap rates to the public, at the same time. Benefiting the economy by having contracts with private companies.

The point I'm trying to make. Is have the public, and private schools work with each other to deliver a better quality service, and a better economy. Basically still have the public schools to offer a free education, like how the USPS offers dirt cheap shipping rates.

At the same time the Federal Funds/contracts will go towards private school companies. To take part of providing a better education for the children.

By having contracts with private school companies. Teachers can finally be paid for what their worth. Competition is involved, so forces other companies to conduct better service(education) than the rest. Also creates new ideas for education itself. If one company even lacks service for education. Then contract is ended with the company, and easily replaced.

I think this idea will be great for the economy. Because now a whole new market sector will be open on wall street. For investors to pump more money in this private school companies. Teachers will go from getting paid $30k/year to easily $60k-$100k.

But this idea I have for the school systems are on the back burner, and no one will take me seriously. I want to become a SEAL. Hopefully get in politics afterwards, with the idea's I have. Hopefully I can change things for the greater good.

[autumn]

Thanks you guys! It really is helping. It obviously has mostly to do with your location I see. I was able to look at schools on base, I just have to do an individual comparison by base. Right now we are looking at Ft. Walton Beach in Fla. but it could change based on timing, etc.
We are totally dedicated to the education of our boys, but we would not be able to afford a good private school for them. I guess my main concern is for my oldest (he's in Kindergarten). Although he was born when my husband was AD, he has not lived the active duty lifestyle. My husband became a Reservist when he was 1. My main concern for him is that he is pretty sensitive (not overly) but he has become a daddy's boy for sure. I just get afraid that he won't understand and figured that as long as the schools on base where good schools, then maybe it would be best for him being that there would be more kids in his situation that he could relate to. I really appreciate all your help and welcome any other opinions.