Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

In the other thread, people mentioned how they loved their Catholic HS. I was wondering if the same is true of public schools.

I grew up in the Bronx and went to Catholic schools K to 12. I definitely had a sense of pride in my schools and felt a connection to them.

I now live on LI and am sending my daughter to public school. As much as she likes school, I don't know if there's the same sense of "my school is the best -- rah rah!" as we had when I was a kid.

What do you think?

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I went to public school in Queens. I loved my HS when I was in it but not rah rah mentality. I never even got a senior ring lol. I don’t really talk about my HS as an adult.

Eta: my niece goes to Catholic HS in NJ and they seem to be very rah rah here. Actually even my sons middle school has that spirit.

Message edited 10/22/2020 9:17:25 AM.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

My DH went to public high school on Long Island. He and his high school friends do not seem to have the same connection, in any way, to their school that my friends and I have to ours. We both had our 10-year reunions several years ago, and I was so excited for mine, and he did not show any interest in going to his. We didn't go to his, but had the time of our lives at mine lol. Of course, this is just one example.


To clarify, I don't think Catholic school is unequivocally better than public school or vice versa. I think the best school for any one student depends on that student and that school.

Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I loved my HS and many who still live local work there, coach there and go to sports events etc.

I do think the school pride has to really do with the school so much as it has to do with how our society has changed.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I hated my high school. It was terrible

Lafayette HS in Brooklyn. Think “Lean on Me” - that was my HS. I wish my mom could have afforded to send me to catholic school or was able to send me somewhere else (school choice) but back then you went where you were zoned. There was no other option for low income people to go to a better school.

Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I loved my Long Island public high school.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by Sash

Posted by PhyllisNJoe

I hated my high school. It was terrible

Lafayette HS in Brooklyn. Think “Lean on Me” - that was my HS. I wish my mom could have afforded to send me to catholic school or was able to send me somewhere else (school choice) but back then you went where you were zoned. There was no other option for low income people to go to a better school.

My sister went to Bushwick HS.. that one was rough too. Then we moved to Queens and they stuck her in Jamaica HS. Idk how much of an improvement that was. Thank fully by the time I went to HS we had moved to Queens and I was able to apply to other High Schools. I was able to go to a better HS then my zoned school.

Zoning situation did suck. I used to also wish I could go to catholic school, I used to research scholarships to see if I can get out of my middle school. I remember they used to lock the doors at lunch so the kids wouldn’t skip. Now I realize how illegal and dangerous that is lol. Imagine doing that now.

Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I went to Catholic HS. DH went to a large, suburban public HS. We both still have friends from HS.

Our DD goes to public school.

ETA I do think I have more of a warm, fuzzy feelings toward my HS than DH does toward his. But, I don't know if that was the case when we were both actually in HS.

Message edited 10/22/2020 11:34:39 AM.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by PhyllisNJoe

Posted by Sash

Posted by PhyllisNJoe

I hated my high school. It was terrible

Lafayette HS in Brooklyn. Think “Lean on Me” - that was my HS. I wish my mom could have afforded to send me to catholic school or was able to send me somewhere else (school choice) but back then you went where you were zoned. There was no other option for low income people to go to a better school.

My sister went to Bushwick HS.. that one was rough too. Then we moved to Queens and they stuck her in Jamaica HS. Idk how much of an improvement that was. Thank fully by the time I went to HS we had moved to Queens and I was able to apply to other High Schools. I was able to go to a better HS then my zoned school.

Zoning situation did suck. I used to also wish I could go to catholic school, I used to research scholarships to see if I can get out of my middle school. I remember they used to lock the doors at lunch so the kids wouldn’t skip. Now I realize how illegal and dangerous that is lol. Imagine doing that now.

Lol I know! Between the locked doors and NYPD vans outside - it was a nightmare

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Extreme Pride. My sister & I ,her children and my children (now all in college except my daughter who is a current Freshman) all bleed Red & Blue~ school colors of our Catholic HS. We loved our time there and still attend many events. Actually most of the kids in my town, in Queens, attend there and they all love it.

My husband went to a public HS in Westchester and never mentions his school..he actually called us a "Cult" until our son attended and played his first football game and saw our passion & pride..yep, he turned to me & said "can you please order me a school sweatshirt tomorrow?"

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by jana

Extreme Pride. My sister & I ,her children and my children (now all in college except my daughter who is a current Freshman) all bleed Red & Blue~ school colors of our Catholic HS. We loved our time there and still attend many events. Actually most of the kids in my town, in Queens, attend there and they all love it.

My husband went to a public HS in Westchester and never mentions his school..he actually called us a "Cult" until our son attended and played his first football game and saw our passion & pride..yep, he turned to me & said "can you please order me a school sweatshirt tomorrow?"

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by jlm2008

Posted by jana

Extreme Pride. My sister & I ,her children and my children (now all in college except my daughter who is a current Freshman) all bleed Red & Blue~ school colors of our Catholic HS. We loved our time there and still attend many events. Actually most of the kids in my town, in Queens, attend there and they all love it.

My husband went to a public HS in Westchester and never mentions his school..he actually called us a "Cult" until our son attended and played his first football game and saw our passion & pride..yep, he turned to me & said "can you please order me a school sweatshirt tomorrow?"

I feel like you must be a fellow Terrier!

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by Naturalmama

Posted by jlm2008

Posted by jana

Extreme Pride. My sister & I ,her children and my children (now all in college except my daughter who is a current Freshman) all bleed Red & Blue~ school colors of our Catholic HS. We loved our time there and still attend many events. Actually most of the kids in my town, in Queens, attend there and they all love it.

My husband went to a public HS in Westchester and never mentions his school..he actually called us a "Cult" until our son attended and played his first football game and saw our passion & pride..yep, he turned to me & said "can you please order me a school sweatshirt tomorrow?"

I feel like you must be a fellow Terrier!

I am too! And it's true, people are obsessed well into adulthood. "High school is four years, **** is forever"

Message edited 10/27/2020 12:27:56 PM.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by Naturalmama

Posted by jlm2008

Posted by jana

Extreme Pride. My sister & I ,her children and my children (now all in college except my daughter who is a current Freshman) all bleed Red & Blue~ school colors of our Catholic HS. We loved our time there and still attend many events. Actually most of the kids in my town, in Queens, attend there and they all love it.

My husband went to a public HS in Westchester and never mentions his school..he actually called us a "Cult" until our son attended and played his first football game and saw our passion & pride..yep, he turned to me & said "can you please order me a school sweatshirt tomorrow?"

I feel like you must be a fellow Terrier!

I am too! And it's true, people are obsessed well into adulthood. "High school is four years, **** is forever"

Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I hated HS. I think it was mostly because I lived on the boarder of two districts and all my friends when to a different school. I couldn't wait to get out. I didn't even want to go to graduation but my parents made me. The district my children go to now has a lot of school pride and they love their schools. Many parents here have gone through the schools themselves and chose to raise their families here so I'll have to see what my kids think in a few years when they get to HS lol.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by Eireann

Posted by Naturalmama

Posted by jlm2008

Posted by jana

Extreme Pride. My sister & I ,her children and my children (now all in college except my daughter who is a current Freshman) all bleed Red & Blue~ school colors of our Catholic HS. We loved our time there and still attend many events. Actually most of the kids in my town, in Queens, attend there and they all love it.

My husband went to a public HS in Westchester and never mentions his school..he actually called us a "Cult" until our son attended and played his first football game and saw our passion & pride..yep, he turned to me & said "can you please order me a school sweatshirt tomorrow?"

I feel like you must be a fellow Terrier!

I am too! And it's true, people are obsessed well into adulthood. "High school is four years, **** is forever"

Jana knows this already, but I’m also an alum. My oldest is a sophomore now and looooves it! My middle one is in 8th and doesn’t even want to put the other two choices down on the TACHS form...she’s known she wants to go there for at least two years now!

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I honestly hated high school. The school has a lot of school pride. It is considered excellent and has a strong IB program. Friends who still live in or near the town I grew up in send their children to the school. I think if you were popular in high school then you have positive feelings towards it. They do alumni get togethers. I want nothing to do with it. I have moved and am not on LI anymore. I did not go to the reunions because they were on my wedding day or my 40th birthday so I was on vacation. I hope they are well. But have no positive memories from high school.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

I have way more pride for my college than HS.

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

Posted by Eireann

Posted by Naturalmama

Posted by jlm2008

Posted by jana

Extreme Pride. My sister & I ,her children and my children (now all in college except my daughter who is a current Freshman) all bleed Red & Blue~ school colors of our Catholic HS. We loved our time there and still attend many events. Actually most of the kids in my town, in Queens, attend there and they all love it.

My husband went to a public HS in Westchester and never mentions his school..he actually called us a "Cult" until our son attended and played his first football game and saw our passion & pride..yep, he turned to me & said "can you please order me a school sweatshirt tomorrow?"

I feel like you must be a fellow Terrier!

I am too! And it's true, people are obsessed well into adulthood. "High school is four years, **** is forever"

Jana knows this already, but I’m also an alum. My oldest is a sophomore now and looooves it! My middle one is in 8th and doesn’t even want to put the other two choices down on the TACHS form...she’s known she wants to go there for at least two years now!

Re: Spin-Off to Catholic HS Question

It hink it really depends on the person & if the school was a fit for them, weather it be ctaholic or public.

My DH went to a well regarded all boys Catholic school & hated it. He had 3 friends & he is still friends with 2 of them, but has no interest in reunions or donating or getting the alumni newsletter.

It is the type of school though, where a lot of people do have pride in it & send there kids there, it just wasn't a good fit for him, and he is just not a rah rah person in general.

I went to a small LI public school. I was very involved-I liked it for the most part. I appreciated that it was relatively safe- there weren't fights in the parking lot or anything, I only knew of a few kids doing drugs. I wished i has been more academically rigorous, and less sports focused, but I got into a good college because my class rank was high, which it may not have been if it was a larger or more competitive school.

However, I don't talk to anyone form that school now. There are definitely people who do, and some of my classmates teach there and several stayed in the town & send there kids there. Lots of people eon my parents block had lawn signs supporting the football team.