Choosing a School: How Do You Decide?
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I’m not a perfectionist, but I do like to get things right the first time. So, it’s no wonder I’ve become a little obsessed with where I will send my daughter to school.
I live in, what I believe to be, a really good public school district – Nickajack. I went to their Kindergarten Open House not long ago and was very impressed by what I saw and the people I met. The teachers and members of the administration I met were passionate, caring and genuinely happy to be there.
I do have some concerns with the results of our public schools however. For example, only 67 percent of Georgia's students graduate from high school, ranking our state 45th in the country in graduation rates, and Georgia ranks near the bottom nationally in most measures of K-12 academic achievement. Clearly that is not true of every school in Georgia – or even most in Cobb County – but nonetheless, facts are facts.
I should add at this point, that I am a product of public schools in Cobb County. I attended East Valley, East Cobb and Wheeler. I think I turned out pretty well and I know that I received a great education – one that prepared me well for college.
But, things change. As I prepare for my 20th high school reunion, it is fair to say that quite a bit has changed in both the county and in the world of public education since I matriculated in those esteemed institutions. And even more importantly, I have changed.
Becoming a parent changes everything. It’s a cliché, but only because it is true. Like all parents, I want the best for my child. And, at this point, I’m not at all sure that a public education, at least long-term, is the best for my daughter. It’s that simple.
So, in the span of three weeks, in addition to Nickajack, I’ve visited three other private schools – all Christian schools that are affiliated with a local church – and an informational meeting for what will hopefully become the new Smyrna Academy of Excellence, assuming they receive a charter from Cobb County and can build a school by 2013.
Coincidentally, one of my clients (for my PR business), the Center for an Educated Georgia, was in charge of coordinating the School Choice Rally at the Capital last week. I was not all that informed about the school choice movement, the recent battle between the state and local school boards about charter schools, or vouchers… other than to say that I knew I paid a lot in school taxes and unless I sent my daughter to our local public school, or was accepted (by lottery) to a local charter school, that money would most likely be educating someone else’s child as it certainly won’t follow mine to any private school.
One of my favorite slogans for school choice among the advocates who work on education policy is “educational options should not be limited by zip code or bank account.” But, sticking with my complete honesty here, for the vast majority of us the reality is that the choice of school for our children is limited by at least one if not both.
For my daughter, I think I have found a fantastic fit at one of the church-affiliated schools I toured. Next I’ll set up a private tour and meeting with the director for both my husband and myself. After that, I expect to know for sure if their school is right for us.
My hope is that we will get it right the first time and that the school we select will be a great fit for our family through elementary, and hopefully, even middle school. That said, when it comes to our children’s education, there is really nothing more important. So, I’ve learned to relax my obsession a bit in the knowledge that my first choice certainly doesn’t have to be my last.
I’d love to hear your comments on the choice of schools for your children. Why did you select the school you did? Would you have done it differently if “zip code and bank accounts” weren’t part of the equation? Has your choice been the right one for your kids?
-Sarah Douglas is a Smyrna wife, mom, PR pro and Smyrna-Vinings Patch's newest blogger. As president of Sarah Douglas Communications, Sarah works on media relations, strategy, marketing and event planning for a variety of local and national businesses and non-profits.
C.J.
3:36 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to send my child to Nickajack. CRCT scores indicate that Nickajack is a fine school in which the vast majority of students meet or exceed standards for all subjects in all grades. Also, reviews on www.greatschools.org generally indicate a great deal of love and respect for the principal and teachers.
Generally, a child's performance is frequently more of a reflection of the parents than the school. Parents dedicated to their child's education make their child do his or her homework, review the homework and give feedback, and continue that education during the summer months. Also, when necessary, parents seek intervention from the school (Nickajack's school psychologist just won a national award for her performance) or, as applicable, seek to have their students placed in available advanced programs (e.g., Griffin Middle and Campbell High both have impressive programs for advanced students).
All things being equal, private schools have not been shown to perform better than public schools. It's my understanding that many private schools are not willing to provide standardized test scores to prospective parents or independent organizations to allow apples-to-apples comparison (e.g., MGWA, EOCT, GHSWT, GHSGT, Iowa Test of Basic Skills). For me, refusing to provide such data would be a red flag.
C.J.
3:43 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Public Schools Vs. Private Schools: New Study Says There Is No Difference: http://education-portal.com/articles/Public_Schools_vs_Private_Schools_New_Study_Says_There_is_No_Difference.html
"It's easy to assume that private schools deliver a better education because so many of their graduates go on to elite colleges and successful careers. But according to the CEP, this may be due more to demographics than academic quality. When students' family backgrounds and income levels are taken into account, there is no effective difference in the quality of a public or private education."
Tara
3:59 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I feel like you were talking directly to me. I would love to send my child to the public schools but I start getting really concerned when it comes time for middle school...so, the question is, do you start private school early or do you chance that there could not be an opening for your child if you wait.
Matthew Hamby
5:59 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sarah, a lot has changed since we were in school. My wife and I have the same concerns as you when it comes to education. I will add that a good education is based on three, or atleast 3, principles: A good student, a caring and supportive family and last but not least a good teacher and teaching environment. The teaching environment is what concerns us the most. with all of the diveristy in public classrooms accompanied with an increase in school related violence, our choice was clear to go private, regardless of cost. I read a highway billboard in the early 90's that read "if you think education is expensive, try ignorance", I have never forgotten that sign. While it, in my opinion, really applies to a college education, I still think it applies to education in general, and not just from a monetary position.
I know there are a lot of successful people in the world that have less education than you and I, but I just dont want to take that gamble for my own kids, I want them to be better than me and have more opportunity than I did.
Best of luck to you and your family, keep us posted on your choice. See you at the 20 year reunion!!
C.J.
7:12 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
RE: "Sarah, a lot has changed since we were in school...The teaching environment is what concerns us the most. with all of the diveristy in public classrooms accompanied with an increase in school related violence,..."
Diversity in public classrooms? Increase in school related violence? Some people consider themselves to be polite, thoughtful, educated Christians, and then post coded, racist rubbish online for all the world to see.
I grew up in East Cobb and graduated, in the early 80's, in a class of over 600 students, only three of whom were black. Despite such lack of "diversity", while I was there, a white student from Wheeler went to prison for stabbing another student to death. At one party, I watched a white kid kick another kid's face so many times that the victim had to be hospitalized. My white neighbor got into a fight and, in the process, bit another kid's ear clear off. I watched one white kid literally punch another kid's teeth out. While jogging through our well-to-do subdivision, an adult neighbor of mine was beat unconscious by a group of white students. That's the tip of the iceberg.
I probably shouldn't be angry about such sanctimonious, "back in the day when our school was mostly white" attitudes since it hurts those who harbor them more than it hurts me. As a result of such ignorance, some are willing to throw away tens of thousands of dollars to give their kids an education that they could have received for free.
Matthew Hamby
7:31 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Chris your too hung up on race, personal issue? Let me make it easier for you to understand, it has nothing to do with color, more so to do with lack of parental involvement (which I mentioned), over populated classrooms due to a lack of public schools and teachers (seen the layoffs over the past few years?) My son attends a private school, with all races, but is limited to a class of 12 students per teacher who also has a teachers aid.
The education they receive for FREE today, will cost much more later the way our public school sysytem is being ran. Not by the teachers, bless their efforts, their hands are tied.
We had racial diversity when I was in school, again, thats not the issue. Again, where you interpreted this "mostly white" thing is beyond me.
C.J.
8:41 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Matthew,
To be clear, I'm not hung up on race; I'm hung up on racism.
You complained about "...all of the diveristy in public classrooms accompanied with an increase in school related violence..." Your words.
When you spoke of diversity, you weren't concerned about Lutherans attending school with Methodists or really short kids attending school with really tall kids. You know what you meant. I know what you meant. Anybody reading your comment knows what you meant. If you have a problem with "diversity" @5:59, then you should own it @7:31.
Leo Smith
5:27 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Chris, I have to agree with Matthew. While I appreciate your sensitivity and alliance, there is nothing clearly racist about Matthew's comments in my own personal opinion. And yes, my birth certificate reads af am (we'll actually "negroid" but I haven't figured out what that is! ;-)
Sarah has written an excellent blog about her personal choices for her personal family. Matthew the same. I believe Chris, that choice from good public, charter, faith based and private schools is one of the best solutions to racism and class division. If that sounds strange coming from a race relations activist, I understand and hope you'll stay tune for more explanation from my blog. In fact, I believe that choice from public to private is the new underground railroad to freedom. Education's ability to meet the needs of changing family nucleus and value systems will be the civil rights movement of the next decade. There are great public schools already meeting the needs and some privates too, but far from enough.
C.J.
6:30 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Regardless of what your birth certificate reads, Leo, suggesting that school related violence accompanies diversity is an utterly and disgustingly racist statement. I would commend you for giving Matthew the benefit of the doubt, except that there is no doubt. Believe me, when he's not online, and among friends and family, "diversity" isn't the word he uses.
I know that you support the notion of school choice, but I suggest that you don't provide cover for such attitudes in the process.
Matthew Hamby
8:54 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Chris, my beliefs didnt change in under 2 hours. You think because you saw white guys commiting violence that everything is OK? Really? What did you do to stop the violence? Like most, I bet you stood there and did nothing.If you really want to mulltiply the violence into racism, the statistical facts wont work in your favor. I was clear in my words, interpret them as you wish, I'm tired of mucking up the point of Sarah's blog
C.J.
9:34 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
You're correct, Matthew. 31 years ago, when I was a runt, afraid-of-my-own-shadow 15 or 16 year old, I either stood there or kept on walking. If it makes you feel better, I actually broke up two fights just last year...one in my cul-de-sac and the other on the streets of London...both among white people. (That's quite the coincidence since, until last year, I haven't witnessed a fight since I was a teenager.) I'm not entirely clear how any of this is relevant, but it seems important to you.
Anyway, my fear as a runt teenager doesn't change the fact that the thugs that I knew were white in a nearly all white school--demonstrating that "school related violence" occurs even when there is little to no diversity.
I lost you at the "multiply the violence into racism" part, but nevertheless, I'll be happy to look at whatever statistics you have to support your mysterious point.
Carolyn
9:12 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sarah, what a great article. You brought up some great points for us to think about as parents of two young children. Things HAVE changed a lot since we were in school (also grew up in East Cobb and attended Eastvalley, East Cobb, and Wheeler). I am personally a huge proponent of public schools, mostly because I went to one growing up and my sisters and mom are all teachers in the Cobb County system. (However, not to say that there are not concerns and issues to be discussed) We selected the schools our children will attend based on scores and information we know about the area. I believe there is no "perfect' situation and that parental involvement places a huge role in the success and happiness of our children.
Michelle
1:16 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Everyone has a right to choose the best situation for their families, but it would be nice to see a movement of families supporting our local public schools by sending their children to them and getting involved through volunteering, PTA, and speaking out to our administrators and school board members that we expect more for our district. Or we can keep finding reasons not to send our children to our schools, continue to foster the negative reputation and image of our schools and watch our home and community values continue to deteriorate while everyone either opts for private or moves to East or North Cobb. At some point you must be part of the solution or continue to be part of the problem.
C.J.
12:03 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Here's an excerpt from a piece published just this morning--
"...in analyses of long-term data published in recent months, researchers are finding that while the achievement gap between white and black students has narrowed significantly over the past few decades, the gap between rich and poor students has grown substantially during the same period...One reason for the growing gap in achievement, researchers say, could be that wealthy parents invest more time and money than ever before in their children (in weekend sports, ballet, music lessons, math tutors, and in overall involvement in their children’s schools), while lower-income families, which are now more likely than ever to be headed by a single parent, are increasingly stretched for time and resources."
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/education/education-gap-grows-between-rich-and-poor-studies-show.html?hp
Again, the point I'm trying to emphasize is that a student's education appears to have less to do with public versus private (or whether the school is "diverse") and more to do with parental involvement.
Matthew Hamby
2:10 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
hey Chris, am I reading this right the the difference between black is white is less because the overall score has gone down?
I also stated in my first post that parental involvement is a big factor in educational success. I also believe, as first posted, in the teacher. I once read, there is no bad student, only a bad teacher. While I dont 100% agree with this, there is some truth to it. I remember our wrestling coach in h/s picking up and taking kids home that would not have otherwise been able to participate in sports. He obviously didnt have to do this, he did this from his own heart and pocket. Private sector does have room to grow in the after school sports area, which is why I support the bill to let private school students play sports for their local public school.
Leo Smith
6:41 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Well said Michelle! That education roundtable I promised you is on the way!!!
Matthew Hamby
6:44 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Chris, you really are way out of line implying what terminology I use. You dont know me, and I dont use words that arent politically correct. I mean, if I'm such a low life, wouldnt it be easy to hide behind a key board and use these racist terms you speak of? Come on, dont be such a fool, and dont question my character. do you really want to go there with me? Grow up
Matthew Hamby
7:03 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Well put Leo, you articulate words very well, I wish I had the same skill. I would speculate your a well educated man, but just a guess.
Pam J
11:32 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
This is my take on schools - somebody decided to build expensive homes in Smyrna (where, at one time,nobody wanted to admit they lived). Then they found out they would have to send their children to schools with less-fortunate children. Private schools like Whitefield popped up so that the rich kids wouldn't have to "mingle" with the not-so-rich kids. I have lived in Cobb County all of my 58 years, and I have lived in every city in the county except Kennesaw and Mableton (which really isn't a city). I lived in Smyrna when "normal" people lived there. Then they built the big expensive houses, and didn't really have the things that those people could enjoy. So they put the higher-end stores and restaurants in Cumberland Mall. In the front of the mall. Those people still don't venture into the mall itself. Smyrna is one of the most mix-up cities in the county. And what I believe is the biggest mix of rich and not-so-rich.
Jessica
10:16 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Great blog Sarah - we have all been in your shoes. I agree that we have to VISIT and WALK into schools to find the best fit for our children. This isn't a Private v Public article. This is about finding the best fit for your child academically and socially and what works for your family. Nickajack happens to be the fit for our daughters both academically and socially. The exposure to the diverse student body is just icing on the cake. Thanks for opening up eyes to the importance of visiting many schools before picking the one for your special one(s).