Should I spend money on private elementary school for my kids or save the money for college?

With some minor exceptions (some states defer tax or match funds), never save money “for college”. Invest any money that you would put in to a college savings account. When the kid(s) are old enough for college don't take that money out of the investment. Keep it there working for you. College loans are low interest, you can make more money investing the money than you save in interest payments because of the special interest rates and long term payment plans of most good education loans.

Now the question is do you send you children to private school or invest the money? You need to ask yourself how "bad" are your public schools? Are you in suburbia, USA or in downtown big city? Are you in the Midwest (better educational systems) or the south (lower educational systems)? Public education is what you and your children make of it. Do your children go to school and come home and play video games for 8 hours then go to bed? Or do you work with them on math and reading at home then play one hour of video games? I know of very few public schools that don’t have advanced classes for children. Almost every High School and Jr. High have “college” prep courses and most elementary schools have “gifted and talented” programs as well. Unless you fear for your childs safety, I personally would vote for the public school. Your childs education will be what they make of it not matter where they go and I think public schools offer a more rounded social experience. Stay involved, know their teachers, and talk to other parents.

The difference in the quality of education between private and public schools is very little at the elementary level. My children attended public schools in what was considered the one of the worst and one of the best systems in the country as well as a private school and I could not really detect any difference in the academics. If your child has needs that are not being met in the public school or is very unhappy you might then consider a switch. In general young children are happier attending school with the neighborhood children at the local public school. The academics in high school matters more, but by that time you will know your child's abilities and interest and they will have an opinion so you will have a basis for your decision. A strong academic background in high school makes college easier to adjust to, however private schools are not necessarily better. The most important thing is to watch over what is happening in school and intervene when necessary. Let your child know that learning is important and do what you can to make school a happy experience for them.

If the choice is between using the money for private school vs. college, look at it this way. Most private school teachers don't make what public school teachers do. Many times entry level teachers use lower paying private school jobs as a way to build up their resume over a few years to get a better position in the public sector. Private schools often have a higher turnover in staff (check this out). Also, many private schools are struggling financially and cut many programs or are "pay to play" when it comes to sports or other extracurricular activities. All of these things are privately funded, so the money has to come from parents and alumni. Often, a few core programs are kept going, but other programs that are smaller are cut quickly if the booster goals aren't reached. This also means that as a parent, you are expected (on a greater level than public school) to raise/donate money to their programs above/beyond tuition.

First and foremost, it really just depends on where you live. Sometimes there are really good public schools in your area and mediocre private schools. It varies.

I currently go to a private high school and have been going to a private school all my life. I am very happy with the education I have received at this school. My brother, instead, is 2 years older than me and goes to a magnet school (even the best in the state)and when we took the same test I scored 10 points higher than him. Clearly, there was a difference the teaching we received.

At a private school your kids will receive a lot of individual attention and resources many public schools could not obtain. This school will prepare you kids so well for college and help them master multi-tasking, loads of homework, and all in a nurturing atmosphere. I really suggest it. However, if you see that your child is struggling- to the point that a tutor would be of no use- then it would be good time to pull your kids out and put them in a public school. Keep in mind though, that your kids will have greater chances of going to college (especially with the rising expectations) if you enroll them in a private school.

Something you could do simply to find what is better for your kids is to go to a private school and have them tested to see if they would make it in. Then go from there.

Depends on your local schools and your kids' needs. If you have a child with any kind of disability, the private schools generally give a better education. In order to get the education they have a right to have under the law, you will spend your working hours demanding those rights from the public school. With my ADD child, it was cheaper to pay for a private school and then I didn't lose salary.

If you just have kind of bright but mostly average kids, then go to public school and spend some money on dance lessons, music lessons, sports or art lessons. Even good public schools have dropped these from the curriculum.

A little home tutoring or watching them while they do their homework is all that's really needed for elementary school. If you're concerned about safety, things aren't that bad at the elementary school level.

I went to private and public elementary schools. Frankly, I think it's a waste of money in all ways at the elementary school level. The possible benefits don't kick in until the high sch

Great question!

If you live in a good school district, then by all means have your kids go to a public school. Look at how much private tuition costs if you live in a place where the public schools aren't so good. Now take a look at how much it would cost to puchase a house in a better school district. If you add up all the years of tuition vs. the cost of a house in a better district - then you may be better off moving to a better district.

If the choice is between using the money for private school vs. college, look at it this way. Most private school teachers don't make what public school teachers do. Many times entry level teachers use lower paying private school jobs as a way to build up their resume over a few years to get a better position in the public sector. Private schools often have a higher turnover in staff (check this out). Also, many private schools are struggling financially and cut many programs or are "pay to play" when it comes to sports or other extracurricular activities. All of these things are privately funded, so the money has to come from parents and alumni. Often, a few core programs are kept going, but other programs that are smaller are cut quickly if the booster goals aren't reached. This also means that as a parent, you are expected (on a greater level than public school) to raise/donate money to their programs above/beyond tuition.

Typical college tuition (in today's dollars) for a public school with room and board is about 10k a year. With an average 5% inflation rate of tuition, you are looking at some big bucks down the road for college for your children. You or they will be saddled with some large debt if you have nothing to contribute towards their education.

In short, if given the choice between private schools/college - save for college.

A private school education will give your children a competitive advantage at every stage of their respective lives.

If you plan only to provide private schooling during elementary years, you're working against yourself: public junior-high and high schools will seriously undermine the advantages of private elementary school.

The best choice is to homeschool your children, but that involves sacrifices most families either can't or won't make.

If your children don't suffer from mental retardation, a private school primary education will likely enable them to obtain academic scholarships; a homeshooled child is all but guaranteed to win a competitive academic scholarship.

The wise money is on getting your children the best possible educational advantage from the earliest practical age.

The sacrifices my parents made to put me through private school, plus the effort I had to put into my own education (I worked and paid for the last 3 years for myself and for 3 years for my sister while she was in elementary school) paid off when I earned a full academic scholarship (tuition, room & board, books -- everything).

i dont think spending too much money on private elementary school would be a good idea; it is good to have proper primary education as this serves as a solid base for the years coming ahead but a costly school would provide a better start to urs kid's carrier is not necessary; it may work good but i'll not suggest it to you. As you are asking about saving money it should mean that u r not in position for spending on both form of education equally well, so i would rather suggest that u save money for higher education but take care of ur child both physically and emotionally.

Give your children the best education you can afford in the early years. No point in saving money for college if they're not educated enough to attend.

And who can tell what the future will be? Or how your children will develop? A good basic education is for life, and the early years are the times when children learn the most. The ability to read fluently, the discipline to study and concentrate, a grasp of at least one language beyond their native tongue, a love of learning - these gifts are priceless. Start them early on the right path.

If they decide to go to college, there will be scholarships or loans - and by that time, who knows what either college or the financial picture will be?

Give them the best you can right now.

I'd put the children to state elementary schools. At this stage, most state schools are often of a good quality with competent, maternal teachers. Then start doing your homework on high schools. If there is a good state high school in your area then save your money for college and send the kids there but, if not, at least that money can be put to the most crucial years of a child's schooling. A good elementary school is important but a good high school is crucial if you want your child to succeed.