When our son got his kindergarten registration packet in the mail, it was a very exciting milestone in our house. In it was all the usual information including required supplies, his health exam requirements, academic expectations, aftercare and so forth. The only difference is that his school start date is a week after mine. That’s right, our son, despite me teaching public school, will attend private school at Sacred Heart School (SHS) in Palm Desert.
Let me start by saying, that the teachers and schools in Desert Sands are top-notch. I would be proud to have him in any of my colleague’s classrooms. And there would be definite benefits to having him in a public school. There is the shared schedule, and the ease of taking him with me to work, not to mention the cost. So why would we forgo these benefits? What is so “different” about a Catholic education?
For us, our religion drives our choices. We make the sacrifice to keep our children in Catholic school and preschool. We already pay taxes every year that cover the basic cost of education, so the choice to enroll them in private school means that we pay twice. SHS does a great job at keeping the cost affordable, but still it’s a sacrifice. Not to mention we have to volunteer a number of hours and fundraise as well. But for us, the trade-off is worth it. The private school holds us as parents accountable for the job of parenting. They remind us that we only get a limited number of choices that impact our students’ lives, and the choice to choose a religious education is a deep one. Along with a very capable education, we get the religious one. Our son will be held to the highest standard of uniforms, shoe choice and haircuts.
Many will ask, why does that matter? For us, we are teaching him discipline early and often. We are teaching him that his choices in apparel affect his attitude towards his education. It is all tied together. When he is hurt, angry, frustrated, or upset, in addition to his immediate needs being met, it will be encouraged that his spiritual needs are also met. He will attend weekly church services, and there are daily prayers in class and at meals. There are nuns who are tasked with his spiritual development along with our family priest and an educational team that believes it all goes hand in hand. All of this is important, and because as parents we both have to work, we have to find the place that meets ALL of his needs. And if that means a private Catholic school, regardless of the sacrifice we will make it happen.
On a professional level, many question my ability to have, and be a part of the two educational systems. Can both coexist? I say yes! because each meets different needs of the students they serve. Parents who make a choice for a different educational system are simply making a choice for what works best for their family. So yes, public schools are a phenomenal choice. So are Catholic schools, charter schools, or even homeschool. If it meets the needs of your family, then it is the right choice for your child.
We are definitely looking forward to the year coming up. No matter what “school” your child is a part of, make it part of your entire family. Volunteer, read with your children, make their learning impact their world, connect with their teachers and administrators. We are all in this together, and we can all contribute to the systems that serve us, to make them just a little bit better.
Kristin Sherman is starting her 17th year teaching in DSUSD and her son Matthew is starting his first at Sacred Heart School.
