Why We Choose Public School [For Now]

ByKristen

Well. My kids have been back in school for two weeks. It’s been tiring, but good.

I got this interesting comment on a post I wrote the other day about sending our kids back to school with purpose, where I mentioned that my kids go to public school.

“I just can’t get on board with the idea of “sending our children to be lights in the dark world” at such a young age. At almost 30, I feel totally unprepared to witness most days. I know Christian schools aren’t perfect but the thought of Public School makes my skin crawl.”

Although I didn’t agree with it entirely, it made me stop and think -do I really send my children into the dark world?  My basic opinion: Our world is dark and we [believers] are aliens here, but this is not our heavenly home. My hubby and I are doing our best to equip our little aliens on how to be Christ-like wherever they go and whatever they do.

I love the freedom to choose. What I don’t like as much is for one person to think their choice is better than someone else’s. But I guess that goes with the whole freedom thing, huh?

School Supplies on yellow background

I respect your schooling decision-whatever it may be, because it’s your decision, not mine. I don’t respect public school moms who think homeschool moms give their kids a bad education or homeschool moms who imply public school moms are dropping their kids off in hell at the carline. To each his own.

I don’t defend our choice. It’s our choice and right for us. For those that are wondering though, here’s why I send my kids to public school (for now):

  • It’s safe and close to home
  • It’s rated exemplary and cost nothing
  • My kids love it
  • Positive atmosphere-my daughter’s 4th grade teacher share my pictures and blog posts of my Compassion trip while I was in Africa with the class!
  • I trust God with their education and their lives
  • I don’t have a reason not to: I know the teachers, administration, parents. I’m involved. I send a letter to the principal each summer telling her how I think my child will do the upcoming year. If I email a teacher, I get a response the same day. I’ve had a good experience with the public school in my area.

At this point, I can’t say the same positive things about our city’s junior high, just named the largest in Texas. It’s two years away and our family will have some serious choices to make.

I’ve gotten emails from  homeschool and public school moms who feel guilty because of what others have said/implied about their school decision. I want to encourage you to be confident in the choices you make and make sure you know why you’ve made them.

What works best for your family right now? Would you ever consider doing something else if you needed to make a change?

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