Public Schools

Are they right for your children?

By Marylee Walden

Parenting presents more challenges than most expect when that tiny new bundle is brought home from the hospital. The challenges continue as the baby grows. When it comes time to send him or her off to kindergarten, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the size of a public school. You might happen to see a few rowdy fifth or sixth graders, and think, What am I getting my child in to? Certainly much prayer and thought needs to go into the selection of a school for your child. A public school education may not be right for every child, but in our case, it was a clear choice.

My husband and I always wanted our girls to have exposure to new people and situations. We strongly felt that some of the most important things children learn at school have little to do with academics. While the quality of education that our children received was extremely important to us, we also welcomed the other opportunities that public schooling afforded. It was important to us to make sure that our beliefs were firmly ingrained in our children, and public school gave them the distinct advantage of thinking independently based upon what they had been taught at home. Not everyone they interacted with believed the same way we did, by any means, so our daughters learned the value of standing up for what they believed in. There were times they had to figure out how to deal with difficult people—sometimes with classmates, and sometimes with teachers. Though hard at the time, I look back on those hurdles and know that both of my girls grew and gained important life skills because of them. Best of all, they had opportunities to tell their friends about their Christian beliefs; some even came with us to Sunday school! We had many discussions at home, which began when our children would ask us about the various religious beliefs of classmates. It was a great way to explain why we believe the way we do and, at the same time, teach respect for others.

My husband and I became active within our girls’ schools, and tried to take part in as many activities as we could. By becoming involved, we felt we were helping to shape our daughters’ schools. Most school districts are very happy to have volunteers, and will welcome your assistance. Taking part in the community and especially the public schools is a wonderful way for others to observe happy Christian homes.

Of course, there are negatives as well as positives regarding public education. May times there are large class sizes and limited budgets. Not all school districts deliver the same quality of education. Also of concern are safety factors, and the given that some control is relinquished regarding what your children see and hear while away from you.

All things considered, public schooling was the right choice for our family. I still remember telling my brand new first-grader to be sure to pray over her lunch in the cafeteria. I remember the way I felt when she announced that she wanted to ride on the big yellow school bus. It was the beginning of stretching her wings, finding her place in the world, and learning to be independent—all necessary parts of growing up, and all things that we had prayed she would accomplish with God at her side.

Our daughters are older now—one is a junior at a private Christian college, and one is a freshman at our local community college. Both are Christians, and that, for us as their parents, is the most important thing.

Marylee Walden is a member of the Apostolic Faith Church in Portland, Oregon.