Reflecting on My Time in Private School: Did I Take It for Granted?
I attended private school for two years, from 9th to 10th grade (2022-2024), before switching to public school. Now, I can’t help but wonder if I truly appreciated the private school experience. After moving, my family found ourselves in one of the worst public schools in the county, despite being able to afford private education. My mom chose to prioritize sending my younger brother to private school instead, which made me nervous about the quality of the education I’d receive.
To give you some background, I attended two small private schools. The first had less than 100 students and lacked AP and honors classes, as well as offerings in physics, chemistry, and foreign languages—a necessity for my college aspirations. The second school was similar in size, but it was a vegan institution. To add to my challenges, most of my close friends left after my first year, and I frequently felt isolated. I still remember starting 10th grade feeling alone, especially after enduring some uncomfortable, low-key racist jokes from classmates. As one of the few minorities in my school, those moments were tough.
Fast forward to now, I’m in public school, which is often described as dirty and has poor attendance rates. My math teacher even showed up half an hour late! I can’t shake the feeling that I may have taken my private school experience for granted. Despite my parents’ sacrifices, having grown up in poverty themselves, I try to be thankful. They work hard, and my retired grandfather pitches in too.
I’ve talked to friends about my private school experience, and they downplayed it, saying it wasn’t as great as I remembered. But they’ve also described my current public school as subpar. At my private schools, we had options for online classes or dual enrollment for subjects they didn’t offer, but participation was limited.
In short, I may not have fully appreciated the advantages of private school, especially now that I’m navigating the challenges of attending a low-rated public school. The private schools I attended lacked AP classes, honors programs, sciences, in-person foreign language classes, music, art, and fewer extracurricular activities compared to public school. Looking back, there was certainly more I could have valued.
It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey with your education, and it’s completely understandable to reflect on your experiences and feelings about them. Transitioning from private schools to a public school can be a big adjustment, especially when you’re comparing the resources and opportunities available at each.
It’s important to recognize that your feelings are valid. While there may have been aspects of private school that were challenging for you—like feeling alienated or not having certain academic courses—there were also benefits like smaller class sizes and a different environment that offered some structure. It seems like you’re now in a place where you’re able to see the pros and cons of both experiences.
It’s also worth considering that gratitude doesn’t mean you have to overlook the difficulties you faced at private school. It’s okay to acknowledge that those situations were tough for you. You can appreciate the education you received and still wish it had been a better fit socially or academically.
Now that you’re in public school, it’s an opportunity to adapt and find ways to make the most of it, even if it seems challenging. Try to seek out the positive aspects and take advantage of the different opportunities available. Remember, every experience shapes who you are, and with this perspective, you can actively work towards making your current situation better, whether through involvement in extracurricular activities, making new friends, or pursuing your interests.
Ultimately, your journey is unique to you, and it’s okay to grapple with these feelings while also looking forward to making the best of your current situation.