FREE ESSAY ON PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE SCHOOLING

PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE SCHOOLING

As American support for the public education system dwindles, many parents find the only
place for their children to receive a quality education is in a private school. The areas
that are most important to a private school are also the ones that seem to be lacking in
public schools. These include safety, order, teaching the basics and challenging young
minds. Across the nation, public education systems continue to fail students, therefore
many have chosen, like myself, to attend private Catholic high schools to receive an
education that will better prepare them for college. 
Overcrowded public high schools have been dealt with the problems of insufficient
funding, large class sizes, students who simply refuse to learn and are disruptive. Due
to an increase in violent acts committed, many public high schools have instituted low
level security measures to ensure the safety of students. The types of security found in
these schools include closed campuses, controlled access to the school building and
grounds, random drug and metal detector, banning certain types of clothing, and either
full or part time security guards have been assigned. How can students be expected to
learn and teachers educate in an environment like this? 
Through personal experience I have found out that it is almost impossible to focus on
learning in an atmosphere that is forced to emphasize personal safety rather than
education. My first eight years of education were spent at area public schools in and
around Chicago, IL. During this time I witnessed approximately 100 fights, 3 teachers
being assaulted by students and numerous drug and weapons arrests. Many of these acts
were merely boyish fights and left no lasting impression. One incident that has scarred
me for life was when a student came to school with a five-inch knife and proceeded to
stab an administrator in front of approximately seventy students, myself included. I
simply stood there not knowing what to do, too shocked to blink, too terrified to move.
The victim recovered fully and the perpetrator, who at the time was fifteen, is now in
jail. Is this the atmosphere that children should be placed in to receive the fundamental
elements of education that will prepare them for high school and eventually college? 
There is enough concern about the quality of education in public schools that many
private schools have been bombarded with applications in recent years. This is the case
with my alma mater, Saint Mary's High School. Run by the Archdiocese of Chicago, it is a
small, coeducational, Catholic school located in downtown Chicago, IL. With a graduating
class of less than 150, Saint Mary's fosters a college curriculum with small controlled
classes and an emphasis on personal, intellectual and religious growth all in a morally
sound environment unlike anything found in public schools. The problems facing many
public schools are non-existent at most private schools. They have no need to institute
security measures because discipline is not a problem. Students know that the school
board can expel anyone that hinders learning in the classroom. Disruptive and violent
actions are taken seriously and are not tolerated under any circumstance. At Saint Mary's
there are various types of honors courses designed for students that have specific
interest in a particular subject. There is also a program set up for students to receive
not only tutoring but instruction from Midshipmen attending the United States Naval
Academy, located only a few blocks from the high school. This type of program not found
in any public or private school is one that places Saint Mary's on a far superior level.
For those who choose not to take any honors courses there is a challenging curriculum
that places students in small classes therefore making learning a very personal
experience between teacher and student. I found the most intriguing part of attending
Saint Mary's was the emphasis they placed on religion. From the classroom to the athletic
field students know that they are representing not only there family but Saint Mary's
High School and the whole Archdiocese of Chicago. The mandatory religion classes taught
were not focused on right and wrong but how to improve your own personal view of life.
They challenged us to "Walk in the shadow of God" and learn from His teachings. 
Students at Saint Mary's are committed to serving the community and those in need, not to
enhance a resume but because they truly want to. Private schools across the nation have
fewer disciplinary problems than public schools because they can be selective in whom
they choose to accept into there institute. Those who apply truly want to learn and are
willing to spend thousands of dollars a year to ensure that they receive the best
education possible. With that money they don't expect to have to fear for their safety,
or fear that they will not learn anything in class because one person is disruptive.
Altogether receiving a private Catholic education not only prepared me for college but
also ensured that I will be a more mature and well-rounded individual throughout my life.