As an education expert, I have been asked countless times whether private school is a worthwhile investment for children. The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no, as it depends on various factors such as the individual situation and the type of student your child is. However, with the pandemic coming to an end, many parents are now willing to invest in the best possible education for their children. As parents, we all want to spend quality time with our children and provide them with the best education possible. However, the debate around sending children to private elementary schools often revolves around equity.
Are we going to continue living in a world where the wealthy keep accumulating their fortunes while others struggle to make ends meet? Will the gap between the rich and the middle class/poor continue to widen, making it harder for them to achieve their goals? With inflation on the rise and expenses like food, gas, rent, housing, and medical costs already putting pressure on families, adding tuition fees to the mix can be overwhelming. For many families, keeping up with the rapidly increasing tuition fees can be a challenge. This raises the question - what is the point of going to college? Is it just to get a prestigious job that pays well so that we can raise our children to do the same? However, most people are not satisfied with their jobs, which makes this system seem flawed. If a family is already well-off, pressuring their children to pursue careers they may not enjoy seems counterproductive. Instead, wouldn't it be better for them to grow up and become good citizens who contribute positively to society? What if they go to a top university but end up doing nothing special with their lives? Was all that studying, stress, time, and money spent on enrollment a waste?As someone who has worked in the finance industry, I have always been focused on achieving the best possible return on investment (ROI).
However, as a financial blogger, I have come to realize that there is more to life than just financial success. I want to see people's finances become a facilitator rather than a burden. With that in mind, let's explore the softer side of why sending your child to a private elementary school may be a better option than a public school. I strongly believe that parenting plays a crucial role in shaping who we become as adults. While there may be debates about the percentage of influence that nature and nurture have, it is clear that how we are raised has a significant impact on our character.
Of course, we must also acknowledge that there are exceptions - parents of criminals and brats who raise their children with a sense of entitlement. However, there are noticeable differences between children who attend public schools and those who attend private schools. For instance, if either of us commits a traffic violation, we would have to attend an online traffic school for eight hours to make up for our mistake. Similarly, parents should also undergo compulsory educational training if their children engage in delinquent behavior before they become adults. Given the importance of education in shaping our children's future, it only makes sense to provide them with the best possible primary education before they reach adulthood.
After all, we only have one chance to raise our children to become outstanding citizens. To understand whether private elementary school is worth the investment, I decided to do some first-hand research at Punahou - one of the best private elementary schools in Oahu. This school is known for its notable alumni such as President Obama, my aunt, and my two nieces. When comparing the monthly or hourly cost of private elementary school with daycare expenses, they are quite similar. However, in theory, children should learn a lot more in the classroom than they would from a babysitter or daycare professional. At Punahou, it is evident that the teachers not only care about their students but also feel empowered because their students respect them.
Many of the teachers are former students who are passionate about upholding the school's traditions. During our campus tour, my wife and I were resting at a table in the library when an English teacher named Paul Hamamoto approached us and offered to provide us with some guidance. He shared with us that the library is referred to as a "learning center" because the school wants to expose students to new career paths that they may not have considered otherwise. We were impressed by this innovative approach to education as the world is constantly evolving, and following the same old routine of going to college to become a lawyer may not be the best option for every child. I never would have imagined living the lifestyle I have now when I was in school.
The fact that Paul took the time to sit with us and share his ideas was a testament to the level of care and support that teachers at Punahou provide. It wasn't just Paul who approached us - several other teachers and administrators also took the time to answer our questions and offer their assistance. Having more supportive teachers can go a long way in shaping better individuals. One of the most famous alumni of Punahou is President Barrack Obama, but there are also other notable names on the list such as Steve Case...
