Any of you have kids in private schools?

[SOONER44EVER]

I'm thinking we might start looking at enrolling our daughter in one next year. Does it cost as much as I hope it doesn't? :(

[ChickSoonerFan]

In Oklahoma City?

[SOONER44EVER]

In Oklahoma City?
Yep. I'm thinking Casady or Heritage Hall.

[ChickSoonerFan]

$8K-$10k/ year.

[mrowl]

around dfw its anywhere from 8k - 18k a year.

[ChickSoonerFan]

$8K-$10k/ year.

For the two you mentioned at least. Some are much less.

Unless you qualify for a grant....which I do. :)

[SOONER44EVER]

$8K-$10k/ year.
For a first grader???

[mrowl]

For a first grader???

its that much in DFW.

[ChickSoonerFan]

For a first grader???

uhhh....yep.

[SicEmBaylor]

Make sure it's not a Montesori school.

[Okla-homey]

Our daughter never attended a gubmint school. IMHO, the price of a private primary and secondary education is well worth the investment. Now, that said, living in some of the crapholes like Dayton OH, Leavenworth KS, NC, TN and AL while she was in grade school kinda made it a necessity.

I'd say if you can find a nice public magnet or charter school someday for your kids, you'd be okay. Garden variety public? No thanks.

[mrowl]

Our daughter never attended a gubmint school. IMHO, the price of a private primary and secondary education is well worth the investment. Now, that said, living in some of the crapholes like Dayton OH, Leavenworth KS, NC, TN and AL while she was in grade school kinda made it a necessity.

I'd say if you can find a nice public magnet or charter school someday for your kids, you'd be okay. Garden variety public? No thanks.

which brings me to an opinion which isn't to popular...

Why should I have to pay for your child to go to school?

I know I know, "it takes a village"

[SOONER44EVER]

uhhh....yep.
Ouch! :D

[Okla-homey]

which brings me to an opinion which isn't to popular...

Why should I have to pay for your child to go to school?

I know I know, "it takes a village"

No. It doesn't take a village. It's because nine old men said so. Go with it. You'll be happier in the long run.;)

[ChickSoonerFan]

Make sure it's not a Montesori school.

:confused:

Montesori rules in my opinion. I went through Montesori schools in Dallas through 2nd grade.

After that I do no think they are as effective. But for primary and early lower school, I prefer their methods.

[King Crimson]

:confused:

Montesori rules in my opinion. I went through Montesori schools in Dallas through 2nd grade.

After that I do no think they are as effective. But for primary and early lower school, I prefer their methods.

my younger sister went to Montessori for about the same time period (when my very young parents were old enough to afford it--)...i thought it seemed pretty cool. and her test scores were pretty mf high all through standardized testing in Norman Public Schools (like top 5% percentile, nationwide).

[Okla-homey]

I'm a Montessori alum myself. Attended kindygarten in one of the first in Oklahoma back in the day...1965 to be exact.

[SicEmBaylor]

Believe it or not, I went to a public school.

[SicEmBaylor]

I went to a montesori school for two years of preschool (I didn't get held back they just let me start a year early), kindergarten, and 1st grade in Muskogee. In fact, it was that igloo looking building across from Children's House fireworks.

I don't know if it was indicative of all montesori schools, but the place was run like a liberal educators experimental paradise. There was only one large room for all grades, we "learned" at our own pace and were never really forced to do anything, we studied what we wanted and when we wanted, and we had an incredible amount of outdoor play time.

We called the teachers by their first names, we had no desks instead sitting on the floor on "mats" to do our lessons, we couldn't wear shoes in the building, and we had these weird paganish rituals when it was our birthday.

The biggest problem I had with it at the time was that we had no personal property in the school. We were required to provide school supplies which went into a "community chest" of sorts where they were "everyone's." I always felt screwed; because, I always brought the best of all the name brand stuff but everyone else got to use it but me. I think this is the root source of my capitalism and disdain for socialism.

All of that being said...I did love to read and when you decided you wanted to learn something they did a FANTASTIC job at making sure you learned it. I was reading very very early and always read well above my grade level. The problem is that I had no interest in math, and they never pressured me to study it. So, I was never presented with math until the 2nd grade when I went to Fort Gibson Public Schools. To this day I absolutely suck at math and have the skills of something like a 8th grader in that department.

Nobody here ever went to the montesorri school in Muskogee did they? I've tried contacting old friends from that place recently, but it's damned near impossible to track them down.

[King Crimson]

Believe it or not, I went to a public school.

why would we not believe that?

[SicEmBaylor]

why would we not believe that?
The whole Baylor, "I wouldn't go within 100' of a public school", thing.
But, I was kidding. :P

[BajaOklahoma]

A lifelong friend was in charge of admission at Cassidy until this past May. Way to wait until she retired.
My nephew attended Westminster. He is now at Cassidy, making straight A's. His sister is still at Westminster. I'm not sure about the waiting list since they opened the new building for the upper grades.

http://www.privateschoolreview.com/county_middle_schools/stateid/OK/county/40109

[SicEmBaylor]

A lifelong friend was in charge of admission at Cassidy until this past May. Way to wait until she retired.
My nephew attended Westminster. He is now at Cassidy, making straight A's. His sister is still at Westminster. I'm not sure about the waiting list since they opened the new building for the upper grades.

http://www.privateschoolreview.com/county_middle_schools/stateid/OK/county/40109

Westminster you say? It sounds exclusive and pricey. My kinda place!

It was a dream of mine, for years, to go to a prep school.

[SoonerInKCMO]

Send 'em to a Catholic school. They'll take the kids' tuition out of your tithing and voila - tax deductible tuition.

[TUSooner]

Our daughter never attended a gubmint school. IMHO, the price of a private primary and secondary education is well worth the investment. Now, that said, living in some of the crapholes like Dayton OH, Leavenworth KS, NC, TN and AL while she was in grade school kinda made it a necessity.

I'd say if you can find a nice public magnet or charter school someday for your kids, you'd be okay. Garden variety public? No thanks.
I went to public schools all the way, and some say I turned out OK. But My kids never spent a day in Public schols except for a semester in PC schools last fall. We are not Catholic, but most of the time they were in Catholic schools and we are very happy. The other few years were at a Lutheran (mIssouri Synod) elementary school which we also loked a lot. They currently go to a 280-year old girls school that is actually pretty cheap for N.O. My Sr cost $5900/year + about another $750 in books and lab fees and year book and stuff. Some really preppy schools down here go for 12K to 15K per year, but I think the only reason they cost so much is to make sure the kids don't have to go to school with poor people. Really! :)

My 9th grader made us all proud by getting a full scolly for the rest of HS.

Once you decide you're going to do it, and you forget about the $$ as much as you can, you will never be sorry.

The best thing about going to a religious school is that the school doesn't have to apologize for teaching old fashioned stuff like self-control and moral behaviour. I guess over-religiosity could be a drawback, but we always talked about that stuff at home, so there wasn't any brainwashing or loony theology & stuff like that.

AND most schools have arrangements with a local bank for fairly cheap tuition loans.

[Okla-homey]

here's another couple of things to consider about private vs. public school.

The private school teachers usually make a bit less than those in the publics but as counterintuitive as it may sound, the overall quality of private school faculty is generally superior. What I came to understand as a parent was that my kid's teachers had mostly punched-out of public schools b/c they couldn't abide all the b/s and chose to teach in a private setting (and earn a bit less) in order to actually teach...also, no "teaching" of mandatory state achievement tests and other such drivel which waste time and detract from imparting comprehensive mastery of subject areas. That's not to say there aren't some very fine teachers who remain in public schools, but your odds of having better teacher quality are improved in private school.

Also, again generally speaking, they're safer for your kid. To date, the incidence of school violence (shootings, stabbings, rape, etc) is practically non-existent at private schools. This is partly due to the fact private schools get to pick and choose who gets admitted and the fact "problem" kids get dismissed before they hurt anyone. That also equates to less classroom disruption from juvenile sociopaths.

Finally, and this may be the key...parental involvement! These schools know they only continue to exist if parents are happy with their product. That is a very powerful motivator for those who work in the private educational sector.

IMHO, one of a parent's most important responsibilities is to ensure his/her child gets the best education possible. That said, for us that equated to sacrificing in other areas of the family budget in order to pay for private school. We are glad we went that route. It was worth it.

[TUSooner]

here's another couple of things to consider about private vs. public school.

The private school teachers usually make a bit less than those in the public's but as counterintuitive as it may sound, the overall quality of private school faculty is generally superior. What I came to understand as a parent was that my kid's teachers had mostly punched-out of public schools b/c they couldn't abide all the b/s and chose to teach in a private setting (and earn a bit less) in order to actually teach...also, no "teaching" of mandatory state achievement tests and other such drivel which waste time and detract from imparting comprehensive mastery of subject areas. That's not to say there aren't some very fine teachers who remain in public schools, but your odds of having better teacher quality are improved in private school.

Also, again generally speaking, they're safer for your kid. To date, the incidence of school violence (shootings, stabbings, rape, etc) is practically non-existent at private schools. This is partly due to the fact private schools get to pick and choose who gets admitted and the fact "problem" kids get dismissed before they hurt anyone. That also equates to less classroom disruption from juvenile sociopaths.

Finally, and this may be the key...parental involvement! These schools know they only continue to exist if parents are happy with their product. That is a very powerful motivator for those who work in the private educational sector.

IMHO, one of a parent's most important responsibilities is to ensure his/her child gets the best education possible. That said, for us that equated to sacrificing in other areas of the family budget in order to pay for private school. We are glad we went that route. It was worth it.
I'll just add an "AMEN" to that.

[TexasLidig8r]

Mine have been in Catholic schools since kindergarten (Son is now in the 11th grade and daughter in 7th).

Wouldn't trade it for the world....

You don't fight about "what to wear" everyday....

You don't fight about whether they can pray, or say the pledge of allegiance...

They go to mass at least once a week (strengthening their faith)...

Class work and education received is first rate...

Granted, the families can be a bit "cliquish" but you simply deal with that.

They don't have to walk through metal detectors...

Teachers don't teach to the lowest common denominator...

HIGHLY recommend it!

[Triumph]

I'll just add an "AMEN" to that.


I have a 2 year old little girl, and my family and I have lived in Edmond going on for almost three years now. Now I know Edmond is a well known for it's negatives, but I just don't get the private school thing, especially if is a considerable financial issue.

I open the paper everyday here in Edmond and read about some kid who got a 32 on their ACT or another kid going to some Ivy League school and was a product of the Edmond school system.

I can see it maybe if you live in an area that has poor schools, but I just see it as a choice by the parent and child to do the hard work. If your kid goes to Lindsay High School and makes a 4.0, odds are that kid has the same opportunites in life as someone who graduated from Casady.

Am I wrong with my thinking?

[TUSooner]

I have a 2 year old little girl, and my family and I have lived in Edmond going on for almost three years now. Now I know Edmond is a well known for it's negatives, but I just don't get the private school thing, especially if is a considerable financial issue.

I open the paper everyday here in Edmond and read about some kid who got a 32 on their ACT or another kid going to some Ivy League school and was a product of the Edmond school system.

I can see it maybe if you live in an area that has poor schools, but I just see it as a choice by the parent and child to do the hard work. If your kid goes to Lindsay High School and makes a 4.0, odds are that kid has the same opportunites in life as someone who graduated from Casady.

Am I wrong with my thinking?
You are not wrong - success ultimately depends on the kid and the parents and how much they will work to take advantage of whatever opportunities thay have, and how just plain smart the kids are.
For me, the key sentence of your post is this:
"I can see it maybe if you live in an area that has poor schools...." To say New Orleans has poor public schools is like saying the ocean is damp. When our kids started elementary school, we were just a few blocks out of a very good elementary school district, so we went private. Even when a decent magnet school later became available, our satisfaction and inertia kept us in private schools, and we've never regretted it.

[Okla-homey]

I have a 2 year old little girl, and my family and I have lived in Edmond going on for almost three years now. Now I know Edmond is a well known for it's negatives, but I just don't get the private school thing, especially if is a considerable financial issue.

I open the paper everyday here in Edmond and read about some kid who got a 32 on their ACT or another kid going to some Ivy League school and was a product of the Edmond school system.

I can see it maybe if you live in an area that has poor schools, but I just see it as a choice by the parent and child to do the hard work. If your kid goes to Lindsay High School and makes a 4.0, odds are that kid has the same opportunites in life as someone who graduated from Casady.

Am I wrong with my thinking?

Some kids will do very well irrespective of the school in which they are enrolled. You just have to decide what's best for your kid. If you are fortunate to live in an area which is blessed with excellent public schools, you are fortunate. I would only add one thing. A 4.0 in a good public HS may not mean the same thing as a 3.5 in a good private college-prep HS. I think college admissions folks understand that too.

[BillyBall]

Yep. I'm thinking Casady or Heritage Hall.

I'm a HH alum, GREAT school......

[ChickSoonerFan]

here's another couple of things to consider about private vs. public school.

The private school teachers usually make a bit less than those in the publics but as counterintuitive as it may sound, the overall quality of private school faculty is generally superior. What I came to understand as a parent was that my kid's teachers had mostly punched-out of public schools b/c they couldn't abide all the b/s and chose to teach in a private setting (and earn a bit less) in order to actually teach...also, no "teaching" of mandatory state achievement tests and other such drivel which waste time and detract from imparting comprehensive mastery of subject areas. That's not to say there aren't some very fine teachers who remain in public schools, but your odds of having better teacher quality are improved in private school.

Also, again generally speaking, they're safer for your kid. To date, the incidence of school violence (shootings, stabbings, rape, etc) is practically non-existent at private schools. This is partly due to the fact private schools get to pick and choose who gets admitted and the fact "problem" kids get dismissed before they hurt anyone. That also equates to less classroom disruption from juvenile sociopaths.

Finally, and this may be the key...parental involvement! These schools know they only continue to exist if parents are happy with their product. That is a very powerful motivator for those who work in the private educational sector.

IMHO, one of a parent's most important responsibilities is to ensure his/her child gets the best education possible. That said, for us that equated to sacrificing in other areas of the family budget in order to pay for private school. We are glad we went that route. It was worth it.


I'll just add an "AMEN" to that.

And a Hallelujah

:D

Westminster and Casady Alum here.

Love Westminster

Not a huge Casady fan

[SoonerInKCMO]

The best thing one can do for their child's education is to give him/her good genes. Being involved in the child's education is the next most important factor. What school they attend is third.

[crawfish]

My oldest is in a charter school - he's basically getting an elite private school education in a public school (and for only a <$2000 donation). The homework is killer, but he's thriving in it.

In fact, this school kicks the royal butt of the private school he was slated to attend.

[crawfish]

The best thing one can do for their child's education is to give him/her good genes.

Why do you hate f'in hillbillies? :texan:

[Okla-homey]

My oldest is in a charter school - he's basically getting an elite private school education in a public school (and for only a <$2000 donation). The homework is killer, but he's thriving in it.

In fact, this school kicks the royal butt of the private school he was slated to attend.

Good for and your child. Seriously. "Charters" and "magnets" very often do a super job b/c they get to cherry-pick from the cream of the crop among students (and sometimes teachers too.)

[GDC]

I once had a step-daughter who went to Catholic schools. Religion and education should not be mixed.

[Partial Qualifier]

Yep. I'm thinking Casady or Heritage Hall.

I was at Casady for two years - 5th & 6th - after going to OKC public schools. I was in putnam city schools after Casady. There was a huge learning curve going from OKC to Casady (obviously), especially that first year. The learning was WAY MORE focused but still fun. All in all, I loved it! If you can, I would highly recommend sending your kid(s) there. I learned alot on a socio-personal level too, being from the barrio as I was.

I got a scholarship grant, otherwise my mom couldn't afford to send me there (we lived nearby at the time).

We moved to far west OKC so it was putnam city schools.. which was about 2 years behind the things we covered at Casady.

[setem]

How about Windsor Hills Baptist School?

They have...

Football (I think they have few kids who play both ways)
http://www.windsorhillsbaptistschools.com/index_files/image5851.jpg
Basketball
http://www.windsorhillsbaptistschools.com/index_files/image7571.jpg
Baseball
http://www.windsorhillsbaptistschools.com/index_files/image4231.jpg
Cheerleading
http://www.windsorhillsbaptistschools.com/index_files/image5861.jpg

if you want your kid beat for acting up this is the place to go!

HURRAAAY BEER!

[Partial Qualifier]

those links are to htms, not jpegs or gifs

[setem]

thanks! IE would not let me link the pics right???

[Okla-homey]

thanks! IE would not let me link the pics right???

Some people like the little church basement schools.

[Partial Qualifier]

It should let you, but the way that site is written - when you try to get the jpg location by right-clicking, you only get the htm file location.

[setem]

Some people like the little church basement schools.

Windsor Hills is kinda big. I went there is grade school. Brother Craighead was my teacher and football coach in 6th grade and now I take it he is the principal now.

[Oldnslo]

I went to public schools all the way, and some say I turned out OK. But My kids never spent a day in Public schols except for a semester in PC schools last fall. We are not Catholic, but most of the time they were in Catholic schools and we are very happy. The other few years were at a Lutheran (mIssouri Synod) elementary school which we also loked a lot. They currently go to a 280-year old girls school that is actually pretty cheap for N.O. My Sr cost $5900/year + about another $750 in books and lab fees and year book and stuff. Some really preppy schools down here go for 12K to 15K per year, but I think the only reason they cost so much is to make sure the kids don't have to go to school with poor people. Really! :)

My 9th grader made us all proud by getting a full scolly for the rest of HS.

Once you decide you're going to do it, and you forget about the $$ as much as you can, you will never be sorry.

The best thing about going to a religious school is that the school doesn't have to apologize for teaching old fashioned stuff like self-control and moral behaviour. I guess over-religiosity could be a drawback, but we always talked about that stuff at home, so there wasn't any brainwashing or loony theology & stuff like that.

AND most schools have arrangements with a local bank for fairly cheap tuition loans.
This is exactly my situation. Except those public schools that I went to? Well, for a few years, they were the New Orleans Public Schools. Phoebe Hearst Elementary, anyone?

My kids go to Heritage Academy, soon to be known as Mizel Jewish Community Day School. It's about $1600/mo for the two of 'em, including before-n-aftercare, and hot lunches every day.

[Soonrboy]

Most of you know I'm an elementary school principal. If you find a private school and are willing to pay for it, go for it. It's not a choice for everyone, my personal commitment is to make a positive learning environment for all students regardless of all backgrounds, and I hire teachers who can and have the heart to work with these kids.
IMO, the difference is parent involvement. There are **** poor parents sending their kids to private schools also.

Be sure that your private school is accredited, not all are. The one in Norman wasn't until a few years ago. If they are not accredited, then they can hire people without degrees for way cheaper.


Good luck. I'm sending my boy to a magnet school this year. Just do what's best for your kids.

You know, Oklahoma has an open enrollment policy where you can transfer your kids to different schools also. That could be something you look into also.

[BeetDigger]

How about Windsor Hills Baptist School?

They have...

Football (I think they have few kids who play both ways)



NTTAWWT :D

[BeetDigger]

Some kids will do very well irrespective of the school in which they are enrolled. You just have to decide what's best for your kid. If you are fortunate to live in an area which is blessed with excellent public schools, you are fortunate. I would only add one thing. A 4.0 in a good public HS may not mean the same thing as a 3.5 in a good private college-prep HS. I think college admissions folks understand that too.


This is the criteria that we used. I, like the others here, am happy with the school that my daughter is in however, you don't know what you don't know. Perhaps they would do better and learn more in a different setting, we likely will never find out.

It is public and ultra competitive. I was surprised by the homework given to her (she just started 3rd grade) the other night. There were eight problems and all were similar to this:

Jim has 14 coins and the total amount is $1.46. What coins does he have?

There is a very logical way of doing these problems so that you get the answer fairly quickly. My wife, the former school teacher with a masters in elementary math education, showed it to my daughter who proceeded to knock out the homework.

[SoonerInKCMO]

1 quarter, 12 dimes, 1 penny.

Yay! I can pass third grade!

:der:

[setem]

My brother and I went to Windsor Hills Baptist School when were young. He always got the beatings. I on the other hand never once was struck by Brother Crutchfield. He and his Jokari? paddle!!!

I did use GD once and almost got it good. I talked my way out of the paddleing though.

http://www.primghar.com/jokari/images/paddle.jpg

[Taxman71]

I live in Norman and plan on sending the kids to public elementary (just not sure which one right now). The private schools I know of in Norman are Community Christian and All Saints and have heard good things about each.

With many relatives who are public schoolteachers, I tend to favor that route because of the well-roundedness it offers. Parental involvement is the most important since successful kids should be educated at home and school.

[Petro-Sooner]

Whats a Montesori school? Also Magnet and Charter schools. I've heard of the last two but not sure what all they entail.

[Soonrboy]

Montessori schools are based on the philosophy of Marie Montessori, and eye-talian (I think) educator. She found that some kids, not all, learn by exploring and building their own knowledge from within. There is alot of hands-on learning. There used to be a Montessori school in Norman, I don't know whatever happened to it.

Magnet schools are basically public schools but specialize in a certain area..arts or academics, usually. There is an application process and they can be selective on whom they take.

Charter schools are run by a board of parents and usually get most of their funding from grants or some corporate sponsors.

Like everything, there is good and bad in it all.

[47straight]

I'd be afraid of sending my kid to Casady. They might come home too good to talk to me. :p

[Flagstaffsooner]

I'd be afraid of sending my kid to Casady. They might come home too good to talk to me. :pLance Rentzel went there.
http://www.senocular.com/pub/asorg/flasher.gif

[critical_phil]

How about Windsor Hills Baptist School?



lunatic.


fringe.

[soonerbrat]

just move to oakdale district (near frontier city)

it's as good as any private school.

[SOONER44EVER]

just move to oakdale district (near frontier city)

it's as good as any private school.
We were out driving around the other day and saw that school. We thought it was a private school. Its kinda neat and like out in the country and stuff. :D

[RacerX]

eye-talian

Is that you Frank Solich?

[Partial Qualifier]

Westminster and Casady Alum here.

Love Westminster

Not a huge Casady fan

No? I loved Casady.

So I used to quietly berate people who opted to homeschool due to their distrust, loathing of, etc. the public school system. Now - here I am, distrusting and loathing the Norman public school system. I still think homeschooling is a poor decision for 90% of the families out there, but I have a little appreciation now for people who look for alternatives. Long story short:

No Child Left Behind and State Initiatives + wildly varying levels of intelligence in the classroom = lots of bored kids.

Bored kids + inexperienced teachers fresh out of college = 7 year old boys behaving like.. 7 year old boys.

Bored 7 year old boys + inexperienced teachers = not a good thing.

"Well, we need your son to sit quiet & motionless while we spend 20 minutes teaching the slower kids how to sound out a word your son has been able to spell since kindergarten. If he can't sit still and be quiet in those circumstances, we believe he may have ADD or ADHD." I'm quickly getting the feeling that's the company line at my son's school. Several families in my neighborhood warned me, I thought they were weird or just plain FOS, but it looks like they were pretty much dead on about this school's administration.

Does anyone have any opinion of Norman's Community Christian School or All Saints Academy?

[NormanPride]

Wow, that's quite the late reply.