Private or Public: The Debate Continues

As I mentioned in a recent , I’ll be sending my first-born off to kindergarten in a few short months. But the big question remains – which school will she be attending?? I am still in a heated debate – mostly with myself – over this topic.

While private school initially seemed out of reach for us financially as it is for many, we were awarded some tuition assistance from the school. A lovely gesture, and while it isn’t the full amount, it is very appreciated and will go a long way. Once we found out the amount we’d be receiving and it became more of a “real” option for us, I started thinking about how our daughter would be getting to school and back home.

The school, on the border of Scarsdale and White Plains, is at least a 20-minute drive in no traffic. As we all know, morning eastbound traffic on 287 is not predictable nor is it quick, and while our nanny could drive her, it would mean a LOT of driving for her each day, as my younger son is also starting preschool in the fall. When I called our school district’s transportation department to find out what the bus schedule would be, they couldn’t give me a definite answer, but they said for our area this year, pick up is at 7:20 am, a full hour and ten minutes before school actually starts! An hour bus ride isn’t fun for anyone, let alone a 5-year old, to do it twice in one day! Not to mention, it’s hard enough to get her out of the house at 8:40 for preschool, let alone at 7:20 when I’m trying to get ready for work and our nanny hasn’t even arrived yet. Our carpool options are limited as well, which I thought would be an easy solution.

So why not just send her to the public school which is a short 10-minute ride down the road (with pick up at a more reasonable 8:30 am), you might be asking? Knowing my daughter’s strengths and weaknesses at this point, I believe the smaller class size and nurturing environment of a private school would suit her better and help her grow. Of course she’d get a good education anywhere, but wouldn’t you choose an environment for your child that you believe would be best for him/her? Or are logistics an important part in that decision?

Being that this is my first time having to make such a big decision and many of you might have already been in my shoes, I would love any advice or suggestions for this predicament.

Have you had to make a tough decision about your child’s schooling and what were the determining factors for you? Share your story (or advice) here!