Emily in her private school uniform—it's not much different from a public school uniform.

Public or Private? It's Still School!

By Emily, 15
National Advisory Committee member

A year ago, I would've said that going to Catholic school meant "you have to wear long plaid skirts with knee socks while nuns hit your knuckles with rulers."

Starting Over

I was in eighth grade and had gone to public school since kindergarten so I didn't know anything about Catholic school (or even private school). Last February, I found out I wouldn't be joining the rest of my friends at public high school—I'd be going to the local Catholic high school instead.

I thought my friends and I would be in high school together, so you can imagine how this news went over with me. In August, I started my new school and was forced to make all new friends for the first time since kindergarten!

Public Perception

There are lots of stereotypes about private school kids; from rules and religion to money and sports, I've heard comments about everything from everyone. Most of my opinions of what private school would be like were based on what my friends said (but they were upset about me not going to high school with them so my attitude was very negative).

Over the summer, all the stuff I'd been told or thought built up and made my first week in private school an eye-opening experience. I learned that Catholic school really isn't that different from public school after all.

Sure, we have to wear uniforms, but not long plaid skirts and knee socks. In fact I get a lot of my school clothes from Abercrombie, American Eagle, and Hollister! Here's the real deal:

• We have to wear a white polo (but you can add other shirts underneath).
• We have to wear khaki pants, skirts, or shorts that aren't less than two inches above the knee (but I've learned you can push it to about four or five inches).
• We're supposed to wear school sweatshirts or jackets if we're cold (but if you want to wear your own, teachers rarely tell you to take them off).
• We also have to go to Mass for special holidays (but I'm not complaining because we get to miss class!).

Private Reality

In addition to the regular subjects, I also have theology, or religion, class. Even though I'm Catholic, this was a very different experience for me. Other than that, Catholic school is pretty much the same as public school. We still have cliques/social groups, fights, and the usual problems with students (like cheating and using drugs and alcohol). The biggest difference is that when you're caught here, you get expelled.

The teachers at my school aren't meaner than the ones I had in public school—but I can't say they're nicer, either. Since they have fewer students to teach, there's a better student-teacher relationship. I haven't had a nun as a teacher yet but I've heard good things about one who teaches chemistry (no knuckle hitting stories so far).

I'm not saying that Catholic school is better; there are many new things that I wouldn't even have considered advantages before experiencing them for myself. Now that I'm here, I think I'm going to have a great time at my new school.