Anyone send DC to catholic school

Do you like it? Do you feel your child gets a good education? We are seriously considering this for our kids.

Message edited 3/25/2015 7:47:02 PM.

Anyone send DC to catholic school

I went to Catholic school my whole life. If you have questions fm me

Anyone send DC to catholic school

I'm contemplating this as well. I had a wonderful experience but times have changed especially with common core. We are on the fence about it

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

I teach in a catholic school and can say the kids get an equally good education in catholic school.

Anyone send DC to catholic school

I went to Catholic elementary and now DS attends the same school. We love it and are keeping him in there for now. Once DD is of age, we will have to go over our finances to see how or if we can swing the tuition.

For us we love the small family feel that it has. They do a lot to involve the families like fashion shows, Christmas breakfast, carnival etc. I also love that there are only 2 classes per grade, so they will be friends with the same children (give or take the ones that leave through out the years) until they graduate in 8th grade. I still keep in touch with friends that I met in kindergarten.

As for the school work, I can't say much because DS is only in pre-k. I was surprised that they get homework sheets on Monday that they need to complete by Friday. My niece is the same age and in Public School and she does not get any. In the beginning of the school year I was put off by it, mostly because DS was so stressed out when he had to do them. Now he breezes through them without mostly no fighting It is getting him use to what I heard is coming next year in kindergarten - more sheets due daily!

I know people who have their children in public school and they love it. I also know people who pulled their children out of catholic school to go to public (we live in a great SD), pulled them back out mid year and put them back into Catholic because they didn't like it. I have a few friends who can't afford Catholic and have no choice to put their kids in Public and they tell me to stay far away from PS. I have friends who would never even consider Catholic because they love PS so much.

I think it depends on your family and your child. For us Catholic is a much better fit.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

i really think school is very subjective.
what are you looking for in a school? what is your district like?


i always thought the benefits of a catholic school are the "community" feel. but that feel is not really there if you work 9-5 and put your child in afterschool and miss all the activities because you are at work.

i put DS in a catholic school this year. we will be switching to the public school in the fall (assuming he gets in) i have been very disappointed with his education this year. he didn't really learn anything, he was not engaged, and it just felt like a lost year to us. he learned more in his daycare. the public school by us is supposed to be one of the best in the neighborhood (i live in queens) so we'll see how it goes.

if the only difference is the money i have to pay for cs, why would i bother? i don't feel like i was treated any better or worse this year.

again, i think it depends on the individual school and your child.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

I have to say, I was ALL about the public school system because I happen to LOVE my school district. It rates top-notch, it's wonderful. I went there, I loved it. BUT -- because of Common Core, I have really been thinking about other alternatives.

I have not really considered Catholic as much -- even though I am Catholic, but I was looking into private schools like Ivy League or Harbor Country Day School... and then places like the Knox Academy.

It is pricey but with Common Core, I don't know, I am really considering this.

You could always try it out for a year, see how they do, and then make a change.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

Posted by DaniJude

I have to say, I was ALL about the public school system because I happen to LOVE my school district. It rates top-notch, it's wonderful. I went there, I loved it. BUT -- because of Common Core, I have really been thinking about other alternatives.

I have not really considered Catholic as much -- even though I am Catholic, but I was looking into private schools like Ivy League or Harbor Country Day School... and then places like the Knox Academy.

It is pricey but with Common Core, I don't know, I am really considering this.

You could always try it out for a year, see how they do, and then make a change.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

Posted by MrsPenthouse

Posted by DaniJude

I have to say, I was ALL about the public school system because I happen to LOVE my school district. It rates top-notch, it's wonderful. I went there, I loved it. BUT -- because of Common Core, I have really been thinking about other alternatives.

I have not really considered Catholic as much -- even though I am Catholic, but I was looking into private schools like Ivy League or Harbor Country Day School... and then places like the Knox Academy.

It is pricey but with Common Core, I don't know, I am really considering this.

You could always try it out for a year, see how they do, and then make a change.

This is exactly us, if Common Core remains in place we will look into private schools and sadly....I will never stop working in order for us to afford it.

Anyone send DC to catholic school

Those of you looking to escape common core through Catholic schools, please do your research first. My cousin's son is in a K-8 Catholic school. They use Common Core, and there is no opting out. She has become a huge advocate against Common Core at her son's school. I don't know if this is Diocese-wide or if each school gets to choose, but this one uses Common Core curriculums.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

Posted by LIRascal

Posted by MichLiz213

Those of you looking to escape common core through Catholic schools, please do your research first. My cousin's son is in a K-8 Catholic school. They use Common Core, and there is no opting out. She has become a huge advocate against Common Core at her son's school. I don't know if this is Diocese-wide or if each school gets to choose, but this one uses Common Core curriculums.

Thank you. I was going to post this.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

As far as I know all catholic schools follow the common core however they only take the tests in 4,6, and 8th grades, they take a different standardized test from 3-8th which is aligned towards the common core but it's not really a big deal,
If you don't want common core you need to look into private school there is a difference

Anyone send DC to catholic school

Thank you everyone for your input. It has been very helpful. Part of my interest in catholic school was the common core but I do know that catholic schools do follow it at least to some degree. It was more about the state testing. In any case, the other big reason was I like the idea of them getting religion as part of their daily curriculum. We are not extremely religious but we do attend church every Sunday and our kids pray each night before bed. Our public school district is considered above average, not at the very top but definitely good. We are in floral park-bellerose schools. Our oldest will be going to the local catholic school for prek in September, and also K being that public school K is half day. We can always transfer to public after kindergarten if we are not overly happy with the Catholic school, but I was also looking for some insight. Thank you so much!

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

I have my son in catholic school, they do follow a
Common core curriculum. I am in NJ, and his school follows the state curriculum and the diocese requirements. Some catholic school follow just the diocese. They do give Terra Nova test and start in Kindergarten.

I also like that he attends mass and takes religion class, we are pretty much the same with attending church and prayers before bedtime. I like his school and how much he has learned and the school work given. It was also a way for me to get him in Kindegarten since his bday is in October. I don't think the schools are great around me and I loved his school, so I kept him in it. I think even if I moved to a town with a good school system, I would still put him in catholic school - assuming it was a good school.

Message edited 3/26/2015 5:23:20 PM.

Anyone send DC to catholic school

Catholic Schools on LI follow common core. Most private schools do also, sadly.

No matter which school your child attends, you CAN refuse to allow them to take the standardized testing (aside from Regent's testing in HS)

Message edited 3/26/2015 8:25:48 PM.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

My son went to K at a local catholic school. We always intended on him just going for the one year. Loved the experience. The faith based education was wonderful. Loved being able to celebrate the holidays like Christmas with Santa and Jesus etc, it was just nice for our family. Loved that he had a class of 16 kids with a FT teacher and PT aide. Lots of attention. Loved that being part of a school of only 300 K-8 you get to know everyone. Loved being encouraged to volunteer in the school, I was a weekly recess aide. Loved the sense of community!

We had a hard time leaving. But decided to do it anyway, to try it. We live in a great district adn pay alot in taxes. All our neighbors had nothing but fantastic things to say about out school.

Now I am so glad to be part of our school. We are part of our local community now. The school is bigger (about 100 kids per grade) but i feel more connected to our community than i did when we were in catholic school becasue there were kids from many towns, they kids didnt play sports together, it was harder to schedule playdates etc. Also I feel my son has had fantastic teachers his 2 years in public school, teachers who really challenged him to meet/exceed his potential. I was happy with his catholic school teacher, but I love his teachers since.

PS I know our old catholic school is following common core, but I think the transition was a little more difficult. Good Luck!

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

Anyone send DC to catholic school

my son loves his catholic school... they do common core there.... Its nice the smaller class size for his whole grade. He comes home and likes to pray at night. He knows kids from other grades because it is a smaller class size.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

I went to catholic school for elementary and high school and I taught in a catholic school for seven years before having children and becoming a sahm

I send my kids to catholic school for many reasons....smaller class size...community/family feeling....principal most teachers know my children/family by name....classroom management is key with discipline and structure that helps provide an atmosphere conducive to learning....although common core is followed state tests are not the main focus and there isn't strict "teaching to the test" instead they focus on hands on manipulative activities projects that make learning fun.....social studies, science, art, music (option to learn an instrument), gym, computer, italian and Spanish are all still taught on a DAILY basis which most of the time in most public schools they are not ....cyo sports ....Girl Scouts.....lots of volunteer opportunities to be closer to your children and ability to help the school.....overall it's a struggle to pay tuition for two kids (soon 3) BUT I think it's the best decision my parents made for me and the best decision I made for my kids

Message edited 3/27/2015 10:12:22 AM.

Anyone send DC to catholic school

We live in Manhattan; I send my kids to catholic school. I love that there is real feeling of belonging to a community, where the values we teach at home are reinforced at school. It is traditional, and disciplined, and there are a lot of expectations placed on the kids as far as independence and responsibility, but it is also a very loving environment. I like that religion is incorporated into the curriculum, and that they attend mass. (I am not always so great about getting to church every week, so I love that they are getting it at school.) I will note that if I lived in the suburbs in a good district there is a good chance I would have sent my kids to public school, but here in the city it was important for me to find somewhere that we felt we "belonged" as a family. It is not for everyone, but we couldn't be happier.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

I am pretty much having the same experience as everybody stated above. It's been great as far as acfivites and my DH also participated in our towns extra curricular activities as well. The common core hasn't been an issue,
I'm not sure if it's because the way it's being taught in his school.

However, I just want to add to make sure that you visit the school. Not all catholic/private schools are great or may be the right fit. I know a couple catholic schools in queens I wouldn't send my kid to. GL!

Anyone send DC to catholic school

I went to Catholic school K-8 and public 9-12. There were so many more opportunities (both academically and through after school activities) in public school. I plan on sending my children to public school and opting out of testing.

Anyone send DC to catholic school

My DS will be going to Catholic School for K but we are going to send him to public after that. The only reason he is doing it is because of the age cutoff.

Re: Anyone send DC to catholic school

Not Catholic school but private school. My intention was to put her in public school when we moved to out neighborhood but because we both work in the nyc area it was more convenient to send her to a school near my job. Also, because of the common core crap. We are paying crazy amount for school taxes but to me education is priceless. She LOVES her school and at 4.5 years old she is reading 1st grade level. I am keeping her until 5th grade then we will see what happens.