Public vs Private Schools in AZ

Charter schools are great! You get the small class sizes of a private school but it is free like a public school.

I am a product of public schools and I would say I am intelligent. There is nothing wrong with public schools. I think one of the other responses had the right idea, research the school and find out how well it is performing. Everything is online, too. I think the most important part of how well a child learns and performs is based on what you as the parent do with the child. I have always been encouraged and challenged at home. I always brought that same want for learning with me to school each day. Be careful with charter schools, they don't have to have the same certifications and such. I have a girl in my classes that has not gotten her degree and she is actually teaching sixth grade! that scares me. not that she's not good, just that she isn't certified and hasn't finished school. So if you go other routes, just be sure to research and find out the qualifications for teachers in the school.

My 2 daughters have been going to private school since they were old enough to go to school. We choose Rancho Solano Private School. I firmly believe that if you dont invest in your childs learning from the start you will never have to worry about investing for college, cause they will probably not be going. My daughters have not been exposed to gangs, they wear uniforms so dress is not the issue that public schools have, and disipline is mandatory, public school have no control of bad seeds, your children are constantly exposed to children with learning disorders and disipline disorders which makes it difficult for your childs learning enviorment. Rancho has a great pre-school program and cost was less then a day care and they actully are learning. The fact that you are considering this now means you will make the right decision for your family. Good job.

Hello: I have my seven year old attending Challenge Charter School at 59th Ave and Greenbriar (N. of Bell Rd.) It is an Excelling School and has just been named a Blue Ribbon School. They teach a Core Knowledge Curriculum which includes virtues along with academics. They wear uniforms and paricipate in Spanish , Art Class, Computers and many of extras that that have lost funding in some other schools. There is a waiting list, so it pays to visit the school while your child(ren) is young.

Hi C., I have heard that too. You could look up the public school record in your district to see how they are ranked. Good luck.

RELAX!!! You can do alot for your children right now to prepare them for school and for life. While they grow, look at your local school. Do not automatically dismiss the public schools, that is foolish. When you listen to other's comments, try to hear beneath what they are saying to their core message...perhaps they have a particular personal belief orexperience that has colored their ability to be objective and, therefore, helpful to you. I am a college professor, proud mother of three adult children. I stayed home with them until the youngest was in school and then worked part time so I could volunteer at school and be home when they were. I wholeheartedly support public schools and ANYONE who told you they "aren't very good" was wrong. Look at your local schools and be smart evaluating, but think carefully. The money you may spend for private schools, could be spent for family vacations, taking your children all over the state, which is wonderful, and the country, which is amazing. That "education" is VITAL too. Just love your babies now, read to them, and try to relax. Kids/Adults who have life experience and who can interact with anyone (skills they pick up from traveling and from parents who introduce them to lots of experiences) do better than nervous brainiacs whose only strength is academic success.

I think it really depend on your school district...some of them are fabulous and some are not so great...I think one way to find out if a school is good or not is to look at the state department of education website because they tell you how each school is rated based on academics and I believe you can find out some background info on the schools as well. I have friends who love and hate both. We ended up homeschooling for the most part just because it worked best for us. As far as private schools go...I think there are a couple of fabulous schools but one thing I have seen is that in the more expensive schools if you don't start from day one and have a core group of friends your children never really "fit in" and that starts with the teachers and goes down to the students...unfortunately we've learned that from our own personal experience as well as the experience of family and friends. A private school I would highly recommend is Northwest Christian School on 43rd between greenway and bell...when we lived over there we have some wonderful experiences:)

C.,
I'm not sure where you live, but we send our 3 year old to a private school. Its currently at Tatum and Shea in Paradise Valley, but will be moving to 64th Street and Bell as of May. Its called Paradise Valley Cooperative School. (pvcoopschool.com) She loves it! It's a great school, good philosophy and the teachers and director are wonderful people. We will also be sending our girls to private or charter schools. Although, the public schools in North Scottsdale and some in North Phoenix are not bad. So depending on where we land (we might move to North Scottsdale soon) we might send them to a public school. I hope some of this helps.

There's a great website to help you: greatschools.net
-M.

Arizona has some great (and bad) charter schools. They are FREE. My 8th grade son attends a college prep charter school (Veritas Academy) and my 12th grade son attends Brophy College Prep. Both schools are awesome. My younger son wants to go to Brophy but I wouldn't hesitate for him to stay at Veritas. He is getting a GREAT education there. Check out www.greatschools.net for more info on all schools.

T. C.
Spa Girlfriend Parties
www.spaescapescottsdale.com

Our kids went to private school from k-12 and we were so thankful for that! If it is at all possible I would choose private school. In such a big city, like Phoenix, a smaller private school really provides a sense of community and you can be so involved with your child's schooling and extra curricular activities.
If private school is not possible, try to stay as involved with your child's classroom, friends, etc. as much as possible which is usually only available through elementary school. Several of my friends who have kids in public school have children who have been very successful in their schooling, I think the key is to just stay as involved as possible. Then, if you see something that needs to be changed, don't be afraid to speak up!

Hi Christian
I heard the same things about pulic schools in AZ too. I started early looking for a place for my son when he started to read at age two. I thought he would need more that the public schools could offer. After doing much research in charter schools and private schools I found that most were very nice but they were honest with me that my son would be given more work to do not more challenging work to do. I heard horor stories about charter schools. I know some are great but with out proper monitering it's kind of a grab bag with your childs teacher. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing preschool teacher for him. She agreed that he needed extra special attention. She recommended Copperwood elementary school. It's in the Peoria school district. A PUBLIC school. I checked it out talked with people and fell in love with the school. He is in 1st grade now and we are both very happy. I drive 30 min. to and from the school everyday cause its worth it. Don't give up on public schools. It does depend on you school and you district. I agree with Dixie save the money and take them on vacation. They will get so much more from those experiences and it will make great memories. Sorry this was so long. Good luck, really!

Hi C.,

I have been exploring this avenue for quite some time now! My daughter will start kindgergarden next year and i have been looking at private non-religious based, private religious based as well as public schools. What i have found from the two private non-religious based schools I have looked into (my daughter attended one for preschool for a very short time)many are money makers and while the children may receive many extra educational experiences (French, Spanish, daily computer classes, etc), the core fundamentals for reading are not required to be the same as they are in the AZ public schools which is very important. My decision for my daughter has finally come down to Kiva Elementary becuase it is an Arizona excelling school. I went back and forth between the religious based private school, but can't seem to agree comfortably on the views they were teaching the children and have a problem not being devoted to that religion and sending my child there for the next eight years. Just remember that it is not always the most expensive school that offers the best education. I think checking out a few schools and meeting with the principal or administrator for a tour of the schools and being prepared with a list of questions is what finally helped me make my decision. Good luck and I hope you find this info helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

The Business Journal produces a publication called the Book of Lists. This book of lists ranks various companies throughout the valley. It also ranks Private Schools. It also lists the grades, tuition costs, location, and some other valuable information. The AZ Dept of Education also ranks the Private Schools, their website is www.ade.state.az.us. You can also view the local school report cards if you want to compare public to private.

Hi-

I am sorry, but I don't have the answers for you. I am in the nearly identical situation. My daughter turns 2 next week and we are thinking about the same things. I will be interested to see what you find out. Thanks for the post!

We love Tempe Montessori School (off Broadway/101)! It is AMI accredited and the teacher's are wonderful! :)

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www.tempemontessori.org

oh my goodness! Montessori is the way to go!!!

My kids go to Villa Montessori and it goes from infant to 8th grade. please check out their website and learn more about Maria Montessori. She was brilliant!! Villa is a private program for preschool and k-8 is Charter(state funded)
www.villamontessori.com

You will be impressed! I have 3 children there and they all started at ages 2-3 and now are 5, 7, and 9. It is an amazing way to learn.

Please feel free to contact me at anytime,
T.
www.tesabartell.myarbonne.com

Hi, My daughter just turned 5 in January. She has been in the early childhood program at Tesseract for two years. We've absolutely loved having her there. We've seen her develop into a bright, confident and inquisitive learner. I encourage you to visit the school for a tour if your able.

However due to personal constraints, we will be moving her to Rancho Solano starting with K next fall. My husband's business is more towards the west side of town and it is very difficult for him to get her to school and then fight the cross town traffic.

Although I've heard and read many good things about Rancho Solano and am confident it's a good school, the approach to teaching is very different than what we've experienced at Tesseract. So we're a little concerned over how our daughter will initially adapt to this change. I know children are pretty adaptable at this age, so I have a feeling it will go well.

Good luck with your research. I don't think you're starting to think about this too soon.