This post might be long and boring. I am struggling with what to do about Emma’s school next year, and I just kind of need to download all my thoughts here

When I first had kids, I really thought I wanted to send them to private school. I went to private school from 6th grade until I graduated from high school. I had a GREAT high school experience. I loved my teachers. I felt like so many of my teachers were my friends. I felt like they truly cared about me. Maybe I would have had the same experience in public school, there is no way to know now. When I first had Emma, thinking about school felt so far away, but here we are. She is in Kindergarten at a Montessori school, and I need to decide where she is going to go next year.

I have a few options: I could send her to public school right down the street from our house, I could keep her at her current school (which only goes up to 1st grade), or I could send her to a private school that I have heard wonderful things about, but is VERY expensive.

I am not really considering keeping her where she is. The school only goes up to 1st grade, their emphasis is preschool. They have plenty for her to do, academically. I am worried about the social aspect. The classrooms are mixed–all ages are together in one classroom. There are only a few 1st graders in the school. She would be one of the oldest in the class. I really think that she needs to be around some older kids, too.

The real decision is public or private. I can think of pluses and minuses of both.

Our public school is a great school. I have talked to numerous parents whose kids go there and they are all very happy. One negative complaint I have heard is that the class size is a bit large. A good friend of mine had a son who went to the private school I am considering for preschool and then to our public school for kindergarten. She is VERY particular about schools, and she has been very happy with the public school. I like that the school is right down the street. I would love for Emma to go to school with some of the kids from our neighborhood. It would be nice for her to have some friends near our house. I am worried about the large class size. I am worried about the teachers having to teach to the slowest student in the class, and not having the time to give individual attention to the kids that need more challenges.

The private school has great parts too. I love the tribes teaching style. They seem to have a very warm, caring environment. They really focus on community. They have small numbers so they can tailor teaching methods to fit individuals. They focus on helping each child achieve their maximum potential. I think Emma is a smart child, and I want her to be challenged. I don’t want her to be bored at school. I don’t want her to hate school the way her dad did. There are some negatives. I will have to drop off the kids to two different schools, and the private school is a lot farther from our house. But, the biggest issue for me is the tuition. It is so expensive. I am having a hard time justifying spending the money. I think it is a better school, but is it that much better? Then I worry about what happens when Ian and Nora get to 1st grade.

It all comes down to wanting the best for Emma. When I really think about it, I can’t really put a price on a good education. I can’t think of anything more worthy of spending the money on. What could be more important than a great education for my children? But still, one year of elementary school will cost more than my entire college degree and I just don’t know if it is worth it.