This article is strictly my opinion.  You may agree with me, or you may not.  Thank you for reading, and thinking about this important topic.  Our future is in the hands of a new generation, and it is our obligation to provide the tools and resources for building successful leaders.

My mother was a elementary school and daycare teacher. My father was an engineer with high expectations. Growing up before home-schooling was common, in a middle-class family, I attended public school in Michigan. There were music and art programs, sports, various affinity clubs, and a diverse group of individuals that I shared years of my life with in public school. My education was of high quality, and the guidance counselor helped me to prepare for acceptance into the college of my choice.

Private school is much more common in the 21st century. It seems as though couples are planning their child's acceptance into daycare and school as soon as they learn of the pregnancy. I can understand taking advantage of the government programs allowing you to set aside money for education. I cannot understand believing that your child will be a success simply because they attend a certain daycare or school. Even more-so, I cannot understand the thought that your child would be a failure unless they attended an "acceptable" facility for childcare and education.

Private school seems to offer the same benefits of public school, with the exceptions that "alumnus" status and considerable donations are legitimate qualifiers for acceptance of the younger generation.

Home schooling can provide the same educational benefits, if not better. Depending on how many "students" are in the class, home schooling can be tailored to the needs of the individuals. Each child may learn at their own pace, receiving special attention and efforts towards specific developmental needs. The schedule can be flexible, providing the family a convenient ability to travel as desired, and educate with little interruption to the progress.

There must be a deliberate balance between education, socialization, and recreational stimulation. This requires conscious efforts on the part of the parents when the child is schooled at home. Public and private educational systems often provide opportunities for this balance. The difference is in the quality of program and level of competitiveness. Any system can promote success or failure for any child, depending on how the programs work.

When I was growing up, kids were kids. There were winners and losers. You took your lumps when necessary, and learned valuable lessons in life from most activities and events. Some played for fun, and some played to win. Some families acted as though they were "better", but nobody else really cared. Trophies were special, and were not commonly sold at the dollar store. You played by the rules, or you were a cheater. The truth was the truth. If you worked hard and practiced, then maybe you became good at something. You earned your stripes, and earned respect.

I could read a little prior to kindergarten. Although there were not as may pre-requisites for acceptance, I would have been enrolled without question by today's standards. My parents and grandparents actively took the time to develop my educational skills and thought processes. We played games, of which they did not "let" me win. We read, we sang, we made up stories, and we took field trips. Life was full of information and wonders. The World Book Encyclopedia was at my disposal. If I wanted to know what the referee's hand signals meant, dad told me to look it up. My family enabled me to succeed on my own by "teaching me to fish".

Successful learning habits start before your first day of school. The culture and environment you grow up in is a stronger influence on success than the educational system itself. Learning, ambition, and pride cannot be taught by the school system. Integrity, fairness, and team work start at home.

No matter where I could have studied, my parents knew that I would be successful and well balanced. Their everlasting confidence in my abilities and happiness is priceless. My own confidence in my abilities and happiness has been developed throughout my life. For that I am grateful. Select whichever system you believe will work best for your family, and rely on your own relationship with your children to build their future.