OT: Parents in Madison or similar areas

[615dawg]

So here's the deal. My wife and I are looking to move to the Madison area. We have a child that is about to enter school.<div>
</div><div>I went to a small public school and my wife went to Jackson Prep/Hillcrest. There are strengths to both public and private. The public school I went to is currently on academic watch, but I excelled academically and was able to attend MSU on scholarship. I say that to say that you can get several different levels of education at a public school, but the schools I attended are no where close to the quality of Madison County Schools and I turned out fine.</div><div>
</div><div>My wife was academically elite, so her high school prepared her well, but she was very sheltered to the way the real world works, and firmly believes that between her parents and her K-12 education, that's the reason. She is open to public schools in Madison.</div><div>
</div><div>We are looking at areas in both Madison Central and Germantown zones. Possibly even Ridgeland around the Old Agency/Highland Colony area in the subdivisions behind St. Andrew's. The "plan" has always been to send to private school, but conversations with others have started discussions about sending our child to excellent public schools.</div><div>
</div><div>That being said, we know that a lot of people send to private schools that live in the area. What are the thoughts on say, Germantown schools vs. MRA/JA?</div><div>
</div><div>
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[615dawg]

So here's the deal. My wife and I are looking to move to the Madison area. We have a child that is about to enter school.<div>
</div><div>I went to a small public school and my wife went to Jackson Prep/Hillcrest. There are strengths to both public and private. The public school I went to is currently on academic watch, but I excelled academically and was able to attend MSU on scholarship. I say that to say that you can get several different levels of education at a public school, but the schools I attended are no where close to the quality of Madison County Schools and I turned out fine.</div><div>
</div><div>My wife was academically elite, so her high school prepared her well, but she was very sheltered to the way the real world works, and firmly believes that between her parents and her K-12 education, that's the reason. She is open to public schools in Madison.</div><div>
</div><div>We are looking at areas in both Madison Central and Germantown zones. Possibly even Ridgeland around the Old Agency/Highland Colony area in the subdivisions behind St. Andrew's. The "plan" has always been to send to private school, but conversations with others have started discussions about sending our child to excellent public schools.</div><div>
</div><div>That being said, we know that a lot of people send to private schools that live in the area. What are the thoughts on say, Germantown schools vs. MRA/JA?</div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

 

[615dawg]

So here's the deal. My wife and I are looking to move to the Madison area. We have a child that is about to enter school.<div>
</div><div>I went to a small public school and my wife went to Jackson Prep/Hillcrest. There are strengths to both public and private. The public school I went to is currently on academic watch, but I excelled academically and was able to attend MSU on scholarship. I say that to say that you can get several different levels of education at a public school, but the schools I attended are no where close to the quality of Madison County Schools and I turned out fine.</div><div>
</div><div>My wife was academically elite, so her high school prepared her well, but she was very sheltered to the way the real world works, and firmly believes that between her parents and her K-12 education, that's the reason. She is open to public schools in Madison.</div><div>
</div><div>We are looking at areas in both Madison Central and Germantown zones. Possibly even Ridgeland around the Old Agency/Highland Colony area in the subdivisions behind St. Andrew's. The "plan" has always been to send to private school, but conversations with others have started discussions about sending our child to excellent public schools.</div><div>
</div><div>That being said, we know that a lot of people send to private schools that live in the area. What are the thoughts on say, Germantown schools vs. MRA/JA?</div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

 

[615dawg]

So here's the deal. My wife and I are looking to move to the Madison area. We have a child that is about to enter school.<div>
</div><div>I went to a small public school and my wife went to Jackson Prep/Hillcrest. There are strengths to both public and private. The public school I went to is currently on academic watch, but I excelled academically and was able to attend MSU on scholarship. I say that to say that you can get several different levels of education at a public school, but the schools I attended are no where close to the quality of Madison County Schools and I turned out fine.</div><div>
</div><div>My wife was academically elite, so her high school prepared her well, but she was very sheltered to the way the real world works, and firmly believes that between her parents and her K-12 education, that's the reason. She is open to public schools in Madison.</div><div>
</div><div>We are looking at areas in both Madison Central and Germantown zones. Possibly even Ridgeland around the Old Agency/Highland Colony area in the subdivisions behind St. Andrew's. The "plan" has always been to send to private school, but conversations with others have started discussions about sending our child to excellent public schools.</div><div>
</div><div>That being said, we know that a lot of people send to private schools that live in the area. What are the thoughts on say, Germantown schools vs. MRA/JA?</div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

 

[Buford T. Justice]

My wife went to large public school and I went to small private school. We both did extremely well academically. Both of our kids are in the Madison County Public School System (currently in elementary school in the Germantown high school district). We have been extremely pleased thus far.

 

[GOODDAWG]

Very good HS principal. Extracurricular activities aren't too great because of the newness but, like I said before, that'll change in 5-7 years. Good teachers in GErmantown elementary/middle schools. Almost exactly like MC. I can't speak for any private schools though.

 

[Dawghouse]

I have this discussion every year with people who I think are outright retarded to consider paying 10,000+ to send their kids to private school when they live in one of the best school districts in the state. Put that $10k a year into a college fund for them.<div>
</div><div>Here are my talking points.</div><div>The schools in Central Madison County (inside Madison City and around the Reunion area) are outstanding. Ridgeland are ok but are on a downward trend according to several people I know (including one cop who pulled his kids out of Ridgeland public schools) and anything in Canton is a no go. I have 2 in Madison public and one more starting this year. I know it's hard to tell in 1st or 2nd grade but I've been extremely happy with the quality of education they are getting. The oldest is in the Pathways program (advanced) and they are doing a lot of stuff I would have never expected a 7-8 year old to understand.</div><div>
</div><div>The one argument I have FOR private schools is that it allows your kid to participate in more activities (ie they can play sports even if they aren't that good). I would have never made the field for a 5A or 6A school but playing football, baseball, etc were my fondest memories from high school. That being said, you can make that decision when your kids are about to enter Jr High or High school. There is no reason to send them to private school for elementary.</div><div>
</div><div>I would focus on neighborhoods attached to Mansdale Elementary, Madison Avenue, Madison Station, or Madison Crossing. You can see all of that herehttp://www.madison-schools.com/Page/36</div><div>
</div><div>If you have any other questions about Madison feel free to PM me.</div><div>
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[patdog]

Any of the Madison County schools would be excellent choices. The private schools would be too, but they're expensive and the only benefit they give is they're smaller schools, which is a questionable benefit to begin with.</p>

 

[CivilEngineerDog]

there is absolutely no reason for anyone in Madison or Ridgeland to not go to the public schoools. My son did 12 years in the Madison Co System and I couldn't be more pleased. He recieved an outstanding education while remaining in the real world. FWIW, his senior class at MC had 24 National Merit Finalists and his academic team routinely bitchslapped the ones from JA and JP back to Lakeland Drive. His education was so good that he was offered a free ride at numerous colleges, both public and private, but chose to go to State because he wanted to.

 

[coach66]

Madison and protects home values and quality of life with an iron fist. Taxes are lower in Germantown area but that will eventually change as it grows and<div>incorporates. I live just oustside the Madison city limits and I have one child at Germantown and one at Madison Crossing, they are very good schools.</div>

 

[CEO2044]

I have this discussion every year with people who I think are outright retarded to consider paying 10,000+ to send their kids to private school when they live in one of the best school districts in the state. Put that $10k a year into a college fund for them.<div>
</div><div>Here are my talking points.</div><div>The schools in Central Madison County (inside Madison City and around the Reunion area) are outstanding. Ridgeland are ok but are on a downward trend according to several people I know (including one cop who pulled his kids out of Ridgeland public schools) and anything in Canton is a no go. I have 2 in Madison public and one more starting this year. I know it's hard to tell in 1st or 2nd grade but I've been extremely happy with the quality of education they are getting. The oldest is in the Pathways program (advanced) and they are doing a lot of stuff I would have never expected a 7-8 year old to understand.</div><div>
</div><div>The one argument I have FOR private schools is that it allows your kid to participate in more activities (ie they can play sports even if they aren't that good). I would have never made the field for a 5A or 6A school but playing football, baseball, etc were my fondest memories from high school. That being said, you can make that decision when your kids are about to enter Jr High or High school. There is no reason to send them to private school for elementary.</div><div>
</div><div>I would focus on neighborhoods attached to Mansdale Elementary, Madison Avenue, Madison Station, or Madison Crossing. You can see all of that herehttp://www.madison-schools.com/Page/36</div><div>
</div><div>If you have any other questions about Madison feel free to PM me.</div>

I think Ridgeland's principal is retiring, and a lot of their teachers are leaving because of it. I think there's a lot of uncertainty there. I hate that, because I used to really like that school.<div>
</div><div>Germantown is an impressive complex, and I'd imagine a pretty decent school. Sports will come around, and soccer (girls) is already not bad at all. They just need a few more pieces. Coach is good. It's a 4A, so playing sports-wise, I'd imagine it'd be easier to play more sports there in the future. I think a lot of the Ridgeland kids are moving into the Gluckstadt area. So I've been told, anyway.</div><div>
</div><div>MC is also nice. Usually have several top sports programs, and I see nothing wrong with the education.

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[fishwater99]

If you have that kind of money stay in Jackson, where the action is. The only reason I would move to Madison county is for the public schools or swingers..
Currently I can afford private elementary school in Jackson, but when Junior High rolls around, we will re-evaluate our financial situation.
You will be saving $14K+ per year per child in Madison public vs Prep or JA.

 

[Rezreb]

Involved parents that know what is going on with their kids' education and make sure their kids do their homework, study, etc. are vital to a successful education. At some point, the kids have to start being self motivated to excel, but it's the parents that lay that foundation.

You will always find some people unhappy with a school, but Madison schools are excellent and Northwest Rankin (where my kids go) are also excellent. Any school will have discipline problems, kids failing, drugs, and all of the other problems that come from having a thousand teenagers in one building. A kid's home life and what they are taught at home has the most influence on their life.

 

[captaindawg]

and my wife went to a smaller private school. When we made the determination as to where we wanted to send our kids we visited several schools before deciding on Jackson Academy. We have been very happy there and we certainly are not rich. I was hesitant because I was concerned about my kids not knowing what the real world would be like or if it was worth the money. However, I have been extremely pleased and it is worth every penny. We are happy not only with the level of academics but the emphasis that is placed on making them well rounded students. The expectation from not only the school but the other families is that the children will go to college. Lastly, it makes it a lot easier to get to know the other families when there are 18-19 kids in the classroom versus the upper 20s. We know a majority of thefamilies in our respective kids grades and most are very good people.

I strongly suggest that you visit the schools where you children would attend to include the high school. Look at the history of the school and the trends of the area. One other poster mentioned Ridgeland and how that school was changing for the worse. Ask a lot of questions and do what is best for your situation.

 

[coach66]

nm

 

[coach66]

which is pretty good in year two. Germantown will be a powerhouse in all sports within the next five years. The baseball team will be very<div>good next year and football should improve, the eighth grade football team went undefeated last year and beat a very good Jackson Prep team.</div><div>
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[Optimus Prime 4]

public or private, parents involved or not. The rest are as you say.

 

[615dawg]

**

 

[coach66]

private schools are probably better than the public schools but I don't think it is worth the cost when comparing them to the top public schools being mentioned. I went to private school<div>in high school and loved it but I must say if your child is in the advanced classes in the public schools being mentioned they are probably getting an education on par with the best private schools.</div><div>
</div><div>I would also add that the big private schools do an excellent job with getting kids involved very early with athletics and teaching them how to play the games. Public schools just don't do that so you</div><div>have to handle that your self with the Youth leagues in Madison, Rankin, Clinton area.</div>

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

than those who went private their whole time. I had public school friends and private school friends, where most of the "lifers" had just private school friends. It also gave me better exposure to what I consider the real world. Those not just like me and my neighborhood.

I will say 10k per year is relatively cheap these days. A lot of private schools are closer to 20k now.

 

[DISTRICT DOG]

and I can tell you from first hand experience that the only difference is the size of schools. Education level was close to being the same, at the private school since the classes were much smaller the teachers had more ability to focus on individual students. I was no Tim Riggins and I enjoyed playing sports, so I liked the private school because I had a shot to play. I have a lot of friends that went to Madison Central, and the majority of them turned out to be very successful (in college and after), but like always you will have a few that don't ever amount to much. I would say its all depends on what your kids want to do once they get to be 15-16, if they want to go to private school and you can afford it, go for it. If they enjoy the public school system, then you will save money and they will still get a really good education.

 

[BlankStare]

wtf does that even mean?... and how can a school shelter you from the "real world"? <div>
</div><div>The most sheltered people I've ever met usually come from really small school (private or public) and it really had nothing to do with the school but more so the geographical isolation of their small community. That, or home schooling.... now, THAT can shelter someone.<div>
<div>Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.</div> </div></div>

 

[coach66]

teacher and we believed in the public schools. Unfortunately, I was a white kid that played all sports and played them fairly well<div>and some of my soul brothers felt inclined to challenge my manhood on a near daily basis so I had to move to a more peaceful</div><div>environment. To be fair I brought some of it on myself because I was slightly competitive.

</div>

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

and you send your kids to private school, you do if for one of two reasons:

1. As a status symbol. Kind of like the Beamer in the driveway.

2. For religious reasons.

(oh, I forgot, there is a third...)

3. Your child sucks at sports and the only way they will ever play is for a private school.

There is no other reason to choose to pay for school when you live in the best public school system in the state.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

Cause if they have moved up to 5A, they have to get past Ridgeland and West Jones to win state.

 

[coach66]

obstacles. My daughter is a senior so she will be part of the first full strength senior class at Germantown. Florence won 4A last year and had<div>seven or eight seniors. Germantown played them pretty well but never beat them, they had a good team. This year I expect it to be between</div><div>Bay High (Bay St. Louis) and Germantown but I may get surprised.</div>

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

If my wife wasn't a school teacher, that's where my daughter would be going and playing with your daughter on the soccer team. Great school.

 

[coach66]

nm

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

I've got some friends that are trying hard to get her to convert to Catholicism.

 

[Officious Intermeddler]

1) I live2 minutes up the road from MRA and it's a great school so why the hell not;
2) I went to JA and loved it so I'm going to drive my kids from Madison into Jacksonbecause I think they'll love it too;
3) My brother's kids go to (fill in the blank) and the my kids' friends go there so it's a good idea to start them out with friends they know (and whose parents I know)and can grow up with;
4) I know 5 of the teachers at (fill in the blank) and I know what a great job they do; etc., etc.,

These might not be valid reasons to you, but don't pigeon hole someone into the "status" "religious" or "sports" camps just because they have enough money to do it.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

and you send your kids to private school, you do if for one of two reasons:

1. As a status symbol. Kind of like the Beamer in the driveway.

2. For religious reasons.

(oh, I forgot, there is a third...)

3. Your child sucks at sports and the only way they will ever play is for a private school.

There is no other reason to choose to pay for school when you live in the best public school system in the state.

I think that is a rather simplistic view, and not necessarily accurate. There is more that goes into a decision than that. Also keep in mind Velma Jackson is in the Madison County School District. I know lots of kids in the Velma Jackson district that go to private school for reasons other than the 3 you mentioned (you said they were the only 3). For the record, my kids go to public school in Madison County.

 

[coach66]

up on the sports side he may find himself at MRA in a couple of years. The reason would be he would have a better chance to play sports<div>and would still get a good education. Sports are important in my opinion because they build skills you can't learn in the classroom and those</div><div>skills often play heavily in your success as an adult.</div>

 

[CEO2044]

nm

Florence will still have a very good team this year. They graduated some but had a lot waiting in the wings. But, I think Germantown has a few VERY solid pieces, and the midfielder (really a defender) is probably top 5 talent in the state overall. JMO, but I'm pretty good at judging talent. They just need a few more kids to really take off.<div>
</div><div>As far as small private school, etc.- I did that. And as others have said and I've always said, it's mostly what you (kids and parents) put into it. My education was okay, probably not as great as all of these schools mentioned. Between 8th and 12th grade, my ACT only went up 3 points (we didn't teach for that test). BUT, I was smart enough to catch onto things, had a good home life and parents that encouraged learning (mom is a teacher), and I put in the work. I had friends that would always blame our education..... but they were also the ones that admitted to never cracking a book. It is what it is.</div><div>
</div><div>I can understand if it's just a bad school situation- I could not have gone to the public school in my area, there are fights and stabbings and gangs that are rampant. One girl was stabbed 11 times last year. The private schools in my area are not really like the ones in Jackson, IMO- you could tell that when you went to play them. Ours are out of necessity now.</div>

 

[GloryDawg]

You are not going to beat St. Andrews, Prep and JA when it comes to academics. I think someone said in another post, if you have the money to send your kids to one of those three, you might as well buy a house in Jackson. You can get a very large house cheaper there. If not then move to Madison county and I would not waste my money on MRA. The public schools are just as good. Sports are nice but they don't mean a hill of beans for your kids when they get out of college trying to put food on the table. Fun to watch at that point but what sports they played in high school won't mean crap.

 

[coach66]

make Germantown a very good team this year. Florence plays very hard and if they have talent in the wings then yes they will be tough. My daughter is playing<div>out of position at striker and should be playing the mid field, she is a great passer of the ball with good foot skills, she just lacks the explosive speed she needs to be a great striker.</div>

 

[jmac.sixpack]

My daughter played on MC's state championship team a few years back, and every starter plus many backups played (or was offered to play) college soccer. Was up in the championship game about 6-0 at half. Miss those days - so you enjoy watching your daughter's senior year.

 

[patdog]

They will get an excellent education at any of the private schools in the Madison area, or at JA or Prep. But if you're like a lot of people, you're financing that lifestyle and private schooling with a good bit of debt and you're going to pay the price as you approach retirement age. With the recent recession and uncertain long-term outlook, people who don't have much debt are going to be a lot better prepared for whatever happens.

 

[Count Istvan Teleky]

I disagree with those that say that there's no sense in spending the money to go to a private school. My experience was with my children who went public then switched to private. Hardest, but best decision my wife and I ever made.

First, I have to say that all private schools are not equal. Some are better than others and this should be easy to spot once you start looking into things.

The biggest difference between public and private (in the Jackson Metro Area, including Madison County Public Schools) is academic intensity. There is no comparison. My experience, both personally and with kids of my own as they were coming up is that of shifting from Madison County Schools to a Jackson private school and seeing the value year after year. It's tough academically, The first day at the private school brought wailing and gnashing of teeth by the kids because they said it was too hard and they couldn't keep up. Well, a month later, they were doing fine and they continued to do so throughout. Expectation.

Caveat: If your kid is driven, he/she may create their own self-sustaining academic intensity. However, if your kids are like most, they are semi-interested in school work. The private schools are far more demanding. The academic expectations are far higher.

I know the teachers and kids at the public schools are generally good, if not great people, but the effort expended at the public schools is intended to be almost one size fits all. I say almost because there are some exceptions iwth the accelerated programs.

My interest was in the kids' education and not any sort of status. I'm kind of laughing when somebody said "didn't know how the real world works" at the private schools. I feel like the author was saying that there weren't a lot of 'street smarts' learned at the private school. On the other hand, you do learn how the real world works because the kids at the private schools generally come from the families of those that are running things in business or government.

It's not dollar for dollar, but I did get a lot of the private school tuition money back when the kids got some scholarship aid at State.

Flame away - had to say it.

 

[Officious Intermeddler]

Don't know why you replied to me because my postwasn't adiscussion of how to spend your money. Of course I wouldn't recommend taking on more debt to fund private school when you have a good public school. I was merely pointing out that saying there are only 3 reasons to send your kids to private school when you live in Madison is a pretty narrow and judgmental view. But if you have enough discretionary income after you pay bills, fund your retirement, etc., then what's wrong with spending some of it on private school?Some might choose to spend it on a bigger boat or to join a better deer camp. I choose to spend it on my kids and their education, for whatever reason I want. That simple.

 

[jmac.sixpack]

It would take too long to answer the pro's/con's of both - had really great experiences at both. Here are some general statements:<div>1) If you are talking about elementary school and you live in Madison, DON'T drive them into Jackson for private school. I did that for a while and hated it. Also, my kid hated going to a Jackson private school but all the neighborhood and church kids went to the local public elementary school. The teachers all live in Madison and your kid will see them around town all the time. Both my kids went thru elementary school in Madison and participated in the Pathways (advanced) Program, and we all loved it.</div><div>2) After elementary school, then you/wife/kid can make a decision what is best for them. One of mine stayed and graduated from MC and one chose to move to MRA - both were high achievers and made great grades (one was #2 in class), but they had different reasons. (MC child was very good at a few things and MC had the best in these areas. MRA child wanted to participate in all things and could at MRA.)</div><div>3) Academics at MC in advanced classes is as good as any private school. Go to Honor's Day and you will be shocked.</div><div>4) MC does expose your kids to more "bad" influences at an early age. Don't want to be controversial, as kids at all schools are doing things that us parents would rather them not do. Also, there are many outstanding, great kids at MC. But, I can tell you that kids at private schools are more sheltered - at least until they start to drive. MC kids are exposed at a younger age. Private school parents know more about what is going on with all kids. And, you know the parents better - some parents are not good influences on their kids and their kids' friends.</div><div>5) When choosing a school, you need to look at the school and the class your kid will be in. (I was given this advice by a doctor-friend who had kids at JA/Prep, and I saw it later on.) Some classes are wilder or have more meddling parents, etc. This is especially important a smaller private school than a big private school.</div><div>6) If you move to a Ridgeland address, you should send to a private school. Ridgeland was very good for a while, but it is going in the wrong direction.</div><div>7) My kids, plus my wife/I, had great experiences at both. MC child knows more people, but MRA child has closer friends (in class together all the time, school functions, grade outings, etc). As a parent, I got to know more MRA parents for the same reasons. </div><div>8) Last statement - I saw too many parents send their kids to a private school even though they really couldn't afford it. They thought that they were not doing the best for their kids if they didn't. They were just not educated on the Madison public schools - great schools that are equal or better in most areas. I could easily afford it, but my oldest graduated from MC with no regrets.</div><div>
</div><div>Hope this helps.</div>