Why Browning was the right choice for our family

BY ANTONIO DEL ROSARIO, A MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT

As parents of teenagers, it’s useful to look back and assess the schools and activities we chose for our children during their formative years. From the time our two boys were able to walk, they were involved in fun classes like yoga, gymnastics, piano, soccer, swimming, scouting, dancing, and singing—my wife and I researched every activity. Our children now, for the most part, are happy and well-adjusted adolescents, thriving academically and socially—a feat not easily achieved in New York City.

We have always been deliberate in raising our two boys with the philosophy of having a minimum amount of regret. However, we do have one: it would have been better for our boys to have gone to a private school instead of a public school from the very beginning. Don’t get me wrong, we are pleased with our children’s public school K–5 education during their critical, formative years. I knew my children’s K–5 schools inside and out. I was a class parent, a treasurer, a classroom reader, an event coordinator, and even an after-school Shakespeare teacher! But having seen both sides of the fence, the benefits of private education are unmistakable, and they include:

Smaller classes. My younger son, Leonardo, in particular would have benefited from starting in a private school sooner. He didn’t flourish as much in the larger classes, getting lost in a classroom of 35 students. However, now that Leonardo has been at The Browning School for three years, his classes have no more than 15 students in his cohort and his entire grade comprises only 35 students! Leonardo now prides himself on being able to name every boy in his entire grade and finds comfort in belonging to a smaller group within which he can easily navigate.

Better rapport between students and teachers. Although a top student while in public school, Leonardo is much more focused now, with his teachers having more time than their public school counterparts in being able to create a rapport with him. He visits his teachers during their office hours and communicates with them often. Subsequently, Leonardo has made the High Honor Roll at Browning these past two consecutive years. He is more readily able to learn from his social interactions because Browning is the epitome of an institution dedicated to relational learning.

A customized learning approach. Another benefit for Leonardo going to a private school is the customized approach he receives from his teachers. His teachers are free to teach in any way they see fit since they are not limited by the standardized curriculum set by the city’s Department of Education. Because of this, Leonardo now tackles a much more rigorous curriculum and responds to a pedagogy that is nurturing and protective of a boy’s authentic emotional life.

By the way, my eldest son, Lucas, is currently attending The IDEAL School, a co-ed private school where he too benefits from the community values and pedagogical approach I have outlined above.

More diversity than you might think. Many parents think that independent schools have a homogenous population; this simply isn’t true. In fact, both my sons’ private schools are more diverse in terms of race, religion, and income than the public schools they previously attended. Private schools understand the benefits of a diverse population for their students. I am ecstatic to know that both our boys at their current private schools are exposed to the diversity and excellence that truly reflects the richness of our city.

Make no mistake, I’m still a huge supporter of public schools, as evidenced by my continuous involvement as a community organizer focused on improving our city’s public education. As parents, we do all we can to give the best of the best to our children, and I am happy to say that both of my sons’ current schools have been recognized as top of the list in the nation. I am glad that both our boys were exposed to public schools at an earlier age and that they are now poised to graduate from private schools which fit their needs and their natural talents, manifesting their highest possibilities. But were you to ask me, if I had to do it all over again, would I have sent them to private school from the start, my answer would be a resounding yes.

The long-awaited Grandparents & Special Friends Day made its triumphant return.