Bloom Where You Are Planted: Why We Chose Public School
All of this culminated recently when I had the privilege to speak to the entire school board on behalf of our little school. We were asking them to reconsider a recommendation to build a new charter elementary school on the back half of our campus, because we believed that it would severely undermine our school's revitalization and ultimately not serve our diverse group of neighborhood school kids. The board's vote was the final decision of a year-long process, and while many people considered it a formality and a "done deal," a few of us led the charge (petitions, emails, and so on) to ask them to overturn the decision.
It became a David and Goliath battle for our little school and for me personally, an Esther situation—"for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). After the past several years of learning the ropes in the school district, a few of us were able to get personal conversations with "the powers that be" to continue to plead our case and at the vote, I was the lone speaker for us when the opposing side ended up with six speaker slots.
At day's end, however, the board voted 4-3, and the recommendation was denied. Now, no one is building on our campus and we can go about the business of continuing to try to make our school the best it can be for the neighborhood students we serve.
As I look back, I can see that what began as a call to obedience for our family to be a blessing in our neighborhood has evolved into a conviction that public education is truly a place where God's light can and does shine through his people. It is a place where advocates are needed for the "least of these"—a place where Christians can join with other citizens to give a voice to the children whose voices are not represented by the empowered adult interests. And finally, it is a place for the church to testify to God's heart for the marginalized in a world that so often thinks of God's people as defending the status quo. Praise God for his faithfulness and the fact that he calls us to bear fruit—to bloom where we are planted—wherever we are, in such times as these.
Sarah Reimers lives in Venice, California, with her husband and four children.
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Carla Anne
The thing I appreciated most about your article is that you said you put your kids into this school because you felt God leading you to. it seems to me that every parent should inquire and ask God where and how they want their kids educated. God will direct some to public school like He did you, others to private and some to homeschool. It was also very evident that much of your positive experience was likely because of your involvement as a parent. The key to any education for our kids is exactly that - to be fully involved no matter what kind of education they get or where they get it. I appreciated that you spoke from your experience, which was positive, instead of degrading those who have received a different directive from God. Some say we would do well to have our children exposed, others say we would do well to shelter our children, but the truth is none of us do well unless we educate our children the way God directs and in the places He directs. Thank you and blessings!
James Cain
Sarah, thanks for your column. I appreciate your willingness to write about this issue, which has been a divisive one among Christians for some time (as Dewey's comment unfortunately illustrates). Your irenic approach provides a gentle corrective to the escapist strain in private schools, while (I think) allowing room for those of us who see our work in private schools as gospel work, too. We are opening our doors wide and fostering community renewal alongside public schools, and hoping to influence teachers and educational practice. (For an idea of how a school can do this, check out the work of the Oaks Academy in Indianapolis: http://www.theoaksacademy.org) @Dewey: I have spoken with many parents and teachers in my school district who would disagree with your "even playing field" statement. On the contrary, the scale of most public education demands radical standardization. In other words, if your child doesn't fit the basic school mold, you will quickly find him on the fringe.
Rob F
There is only one thing left to do Sarah...run for school board. My story is similar in advocacy on behalf of my kids in the public schools. Then someone said, "you should run for a seat on the Board of Education" I did and have served for 8 years. It had been very fulfilling and allowed our entire family to bloom where we were planted. BTW, my daughter is leading a bible study in the school by following the rules of a club and even though some tried to protest, the "club" is growing and blooming!
Aaron T. S.
For some of us Christian parents whose children go to public schools, this is a validation.
John G.
I spent 38 years as a public school teacher, after which I volunteered my time to teach a class to a group of homeschoolers, and now I substitute often in a Christian school. There are certainly advantages & disadvantages to each form, and a lot depends upon every realtor's favorite three words, location, location, location. No one setting is ideal for every child or every family. However, public schools must be approached with great caution, particularly in this day when everything is politicized and radicalized. (Oh, and I'm sorry that Christine finds Christian and homeschooling "saddening." She really shouldn't. In many cases, they are the better options.)
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