I heard a comment last night from a seasoned pastor (30 years)/ now missionary, that I haven’t even considered before:
[paraphrase] “When Christian schools were started in the 70′s, they were about segregation. They took the ‘light’ out of the public schools.”
This intrigued me. I have heard arguments for Christian schools saying, “I want my kids to learn about the Bible. I want them to do big things for God.” But is that really why we send kids to Christian schools? I don’t have kids but my wife and I, both have said we wouldn’t send our kids to a Christian school for one reason: WE WANT THEM TO SHINE IN THE DARKNESS!
And now begins the “well wait until you have kids, and then see if your thoughts change” or “That’s typical from someone who doesn’t have kids. Always talking out of the side of their mouth.” Can I say though, I’m pretty sure this idea isn’t going to change. I would like the gauge of how well we parent based on how well we have prepared our kids to reach their public school friends for Jesus.
“Well can’t they do that in their neighborhood?” Sure…my questions back are, “Will they? Or will they feel like they can’t relate with them? Maybe they don’t even know their community because we cart them off 15 miles to the nearest Christian school and another 20 miles so they can hang out with those friends in their Christian school.”
I’m not trying to start a fight (because Christian school kids don’t fight) but a discussion. Is there truth to the statement above? Why would you send your kids to a Christian school over a public school? Visa Versa? I’m interested in your thoughts. Leave a comment at the bottom!
DISCLAIMER: I’m not even going to touch home schooling your kids. Only thing I know, is that home schooling is an option in our family, as long as part of their time is in a public school for the same reasons as above. “Wait, you wouldn’t send your kids part-time Christian school, part-time home school?” Nope.
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i’d probably have to say christian school has pro and cons. obviously im no where near having kids, but i went to one from pre k-12 grade. i can see the arguement that you would want your kids to shine in a public school, and i can see that you would want your kids to go to a christian school and learn about the bible and be surrounded by fellow christians. but what if your kids do not shine in public school and just get dragged down? what then? would christian school be good for them then? obviously sending your kids to christian school isnt going to automatically fix them like some parents try tho… just some thoughts..
Well, I attended Christian school all my life and even went ot Christian College but my son is in public school. Some would say that is only because he is disabled physically but when we considered what to do when school came around we felt the only option was public school. In collegesome of the strongest Christian teenagers had attended very large public schools—sometimes kids in Christian schools learn the talk but not the walk. As with all things in life this is a personal decision and should be no one’s business what you decide but don’t just decide one way or the other because that’s "what we’ve always done." Think it through thoroughly.
I must admit, since having kids, my perspective on this topic has changed immensely. I used to emphatically say my kids would go to public schools–I survived them, they will too. But, the truth of the matter is, public school is soooo different than it used to be….even 8 years ago. It would take 8 hours of counsel daily with a child to de-program the secular worldview of the public school system. So, I can see why parents would gravitate towards a christian school setting. It appears as though an attractive option–although I know very few quality Christian school grads. But if my child hasn’t BECOME light….there will be no shining in the darkness, and fostering a light worth shining over 13 years of public school education…I don’t know. I’m just not convinced.
More and more leaning towards homeschooling myself. I answer to God for how I teach and disciple my own children first and foremost. I just don’t trust this world with the souls of my children.